The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-01-01
Gbe WOOING
OF MISS Z
PRISCILLA
By Carrie Hunt Latta
Copyright, 1901, By c. II. Ldtta


road Miss Priscilla glanced at it with
pretended Indifference. Then she
looked closer. stopped and looked
again.
How shet up Sam'l Claytons house
do look Mebby he's went away.
Mebby he's went west He said he
would eff l didn't marry him. But,
law me, that was years an years ago,
an eff he'd ben goin' he'd "a went
long ago. Mebby he's sick an all by
hisselfl l wouldn't live on a byroad
fer a finer farm n this of SAINTS"
She took a few steps farther, then
stopped. There was a determined look
on her face.
at amt proper fer lone wummin
ter go ter the house of lone man,
but | aip't goin ter stop fer that ner
nothin' else when they's a prospec' of
Sam'l Clayton bein' sick with nobody
ter complain ter"
She walked briskly up the lane
which led to the little house. The
blinds We're drawn and the front gate
was closed. The barnyard gate hung
open, and the chickens wandered
about the dooryard disconsolately,
while out In the shed the COW lowed
piteously.
mo tellin' when that cows ben
MIXED er how long she's ben shet up
without feed an water. Somethin's
happened. | hope-oh, l do hope-it
amt nothin awful. SAINTS bout the
only friend I've got here'bouts, an eff
he was ter die
She had to wipe the tears from her
eyes before she knocked.
There was no answer Her breath
came fast. She knocked again.
What yo' want?" The voice was
decidedly cross.
Miss Priscilla opened the door cau-
tiously, keeping her face turned away.
"Sam'l Clayton, is they anything the
matter?"
"Nothin'," he answered grimly
"'ceptin' Pm fiat on my back an amt
able ter git up"
The door flew open. and Miss Pris-
ella entered.
Il know amt dom the proper thing.
Sam'l, so don't be castin' up nothin',
but My goodness. Sam'l, yo're as
yaller as gold"
That's comfortin', Percilly."
"Yo've got yaller janders, | reckon.
don't blame yo' none fer not wantin'
4a,. ,r{f I had iof,o Hf,ff
turn over in bed"
81 do want ter git up. but I can't,
Percilly.'
Don't yo' be cross, Sam'l. They amt
no call fer it. I'm sorry fer yo', awful
sorry, an, though it amt the thing, I'm
goin' ter stay here an red things up
some. Then I'll git word to yer brother
Robert. Air yo' thirsty, Sam'l?"
He nodded
AN hungry"
He put out his tongue at her and
made a wry face.
mo; | reckon yo' amt hungry, but
yo're weak fer somethin' ter eat an
yo'H git it right soon"
She went into the kitchen, and Samu-
ell heard her muttering and talking to
herself. She put her head in at the
door.
rs that glass there on the table the
only one yo've got, Sam'l?"
I'm the only one ter use glass, Per
cilly, an | never hev cump'ny."
whats it got in it anyhow"
Ginger tea, Percilly."
Miss Priscilla picked the glass up and
smelled of the contents.
'Phfew! Sakes alive | s'pose yo'
fixed it,"
Miss Priscilla disappeared, taking the
glass with her She soon returned with
a glass of sparkling cold water.
Miss Priscilla Strengthened the sheet,
put clean cases on the pillows. opened
the windows and put the room in order.
Samuel's face frightened as he watch
ed her.
Got anything bout the house ter eat.
Sam'l?" she asked presently.
Things as Spite easy is hangin' in
the well. an the rest of the things is In
the cellar, Percilly."
Miss Priscilla fed the chickens,
MIXED the COW and turned her into
the pasture When she returned, she
room again. bringing a cup of hot
broth.
1T amt cooked 'nough, Sam1 but it
won't do fer yo' to go any longer with
a Imply stummick. Eat some"
She propped him up in bed. and he
did as he was hidden.
That's the first good broth I've ct
sence mother died
II don't doubt that, Sam1 Yo're the
porest 'xeuse fer n housekeeper | ever
seen. The whole house is awful. |
amt sprised yo're sick. I'd be dead"
ut amt my fault as I'm my own
housekeeper, Percilly Blake" he an
swered Significantly.
She flushed red.
well, see plain as I'll hey to go
an leave yo' by yourself an not wait
fer yer brother ter come. Don't make
matters unproperer than they air AIRED
dy."
my, but yo' air b'hind the times!
Brother moved ter Ioway five weeks
ago comm Thursday"
"They's other naybers. Sam'l," she
snapped.
All the rest of the day she watched
for a passing vehicle that she might
hail its occupant and send for some one
to look after Samuel Toward evening
she grew uneasy. She had refused to
talk to Samuel for some time, as he