Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-30
were released from their uncongenlal
quarters in the city and comfortably
installed therein.


quarters in the city and comfortably
installed therein.
Mrs. Reuben--a meek little woman,
with no more ideas of supporting her.
self than a canary bird might have
was yet good housekeeper, and
willingly undertook the management
of domestic affairs. while Amaranth
gave her attention to the raising Of
poultry and garden vegetables. And
the children grew as round as butter
balls, romping under the gnarly old
apple trees or playing hide-and-seek
among the tall sunfiowers and holly
hooks that nodded In the dooryard.
Later on, Amaranth earned a few
dollars each week by the sale of her
produce at the little village Of Piney-
Vile Center, which was scarcely n
stones throw from her back pasture
bars. But with all her industry and
economy she found 1t hard matter
to provide for herself and the help
less ones depending on her, and there
were times when she really feared
the wolf was already at her door.
Sylvester smedley took particular
pleasure in driving past the house,
with Nancy Maria Stubblefeld, to
whom he had transferred his atten.
tons, seated beside him in his spring
buggy.
But no one offered helping hand,
and Amaranth was beginning to feel
tremor Of despair when something
happened which no one-certainly not
Amaranth-had ever dreamed would
com to pass.
1t was nothing more nor less than
the building of branch railway from
the ozark lead and zinc" mines to
point on the Mississippi River some
twelve miles beyond Pineyville Centre.
The nearest route, according to sur
vey, lay directly across one side OF
Amaranth's estate, and she readily nc
cepted the offer Of $500 from the min
ing company for this small portion of
her "worn-out" farm land.
But the tide of prosperity did not
stop here.
Roger Allen, the young surveyor,
who had laid out the new railroad,
suggested Pineyville Centre as ths
most convenient point for the smelling
works to be erected by the mining
company.
And SO the sleepy little village
walked up one fine morning to find IT.
self in the midst of most unexpected
BOOM"
Amaranth, though offered high
price, refused to part with her prop
erty on any terms. By the advice of
the young surveyor. however, she was
induced to lay out q portion Of her
farm, fronting the railroad, in town
lots, which were eagerly purchased
at satisfactory valuation, and the
Brooke addition soon ranked MS tho
most desirable residence portion OF
Pineyville Centre.
And Amaranth found herself. II not
wealthy, at least comfortably situated.
A stout hired farm hand attended to
the farm work now. The worn-out
meadows and cornfields were redeem
ed fror, their Impoverished condition.
The antiquated COW was supplanted
by small herd of Jerseys. The do
crepit horse was "pensioned off" on
the latest of pastures, while span
of matched bays" drew the new car
ryall when Amaranth or Mrs. Reuben
and her children took an airing.
The discounted relatives, who had
all but boycotted Amaranth in the
dark days. now discovered that blood
was thicker than water" and hastened
to make friendly overtures.
And Sylvester Smalley, who had not
yet succeeded in building on the pater-
nal forty acres. abruptly ceased his at.
tentions to- Nancy Maria, and cast
longing eyes toward the thrifty corn
fields and well filed barns of the old
homestead.
Long since had he repented of his
short-sightedness, and after some skill
full maneuvering he one day succeeded
III meeting Amaranth face to face at
the old stile.
Shed rose in her bonnet. and oh. she
looked sweet
As the little pink flower that grows in
the wheat,
And Sylvester felt that he must win
her lat all hazards.
He advanced smiling and with out
stretched hands.
did you really think / meant to
give you up, Amaranth?" he asked. re-
proachfully.
But she drew coldly back.
Give me up? Certainly! You gave
me up long ago." she returned.
but didn't mean it! IL own 1
was fool, Amaranth," he stammered.
desperately, but allus intended to
come back an marry you. An faint
f