Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-07-30

| the third chair remained vacant until
the preacher stood In embarrassment
undecided whether or not to raise a
hymn while ali the mourners gathered.
Shickshack's widow finally entered
the tavern muffied from the snow in
blanket, carrying basket on her
arm. The crowded assembly opened
to let her pass. She set her basket
down, and with vicious pounce took
Antywine and Peggy by the ear. Anty-
wine visibly restrained himself and
walked unresisting with Peggy to the
foot of the coffin. Sally showed the
chairs after them, and returned TO her
own place as chief mourner.
This isn't your funeral" the be-
reaved woman explained sourly to
them. HE wasn't no kin to either
of vel"
featured neighbors relaxed
In countenance and looked sidelong al
one another. They watched Sally lay
off the blanket and take from her
basket rusty mourning shawl, black
bonnet and Grape veil In this regalia,
kept for her husbands funerals, she
dressed herself publicly, and. having
completed her preparations, sat down,
heayirg deep sigh. The sight Of her
beard under widows weeds so affect
ed one of the Grove boys that he dis
graced himself by an audible snort.
| He did not mind disturbing meeting,
! but funeral was different; and he
whispered alphabetically to the man
beside him: Il bet God laughed when
| He made that woman"
! Candles were lighted in the tavern
before the masculine population of
New Salem-for only those went who
could shovel snow and help dig grave
returned from burying Shickshack.
A river of icy air flowing out of the
northwest had by that time cleared
the storm away. Peggy and Anty-
wine were to spend the second night
of their peculiar orphanage at the Rut-
lodges, in order to settle the business
of Peggy's own Inheritance, which
Shickshack had silently passed on to
his successors.
They sat down with Lincoln and Ann
Rutledge in the best room, and he put
the rattlesnake skin before them on
table. Peggy looked at it curiously,
having never before seen her fortune,
or the case which held 1t. The spots
described by scales made her shudder.
Ann also saw 1t with aversion. and
wondered why Shickshack preferred
that to a strong piece of bucaskin.
"A rattlesnake," said Lincoln, swhen
you get over the first shock OF intro
duction to him, is mighty pretty fell
low. See his combine of colors. He
has lost his first freshness and his
rattles, trying to bruise the tough hide
of mankind. But l doubt If he ever
stung any body; he wouldn't unless he
was crowded"
Through an open door the tavern
kitchen displayed a roaring hearth,
where the Dutch oven, with Goals ON
its head and beneath its feet, held
Joint of venison. A coffee pot, standing
on trivet over emhers, sent perfume
abroad. Johnnycakes of parched corn
ground in the hand-mill were browning
on boards slanted toward the fire
1.-THE best bread that ever was eti"
testifies surviving New Salemite.
Hominy kissing in pork fat sent its
song through the room, while the
younger Rutledge girls helped their
mother bring to the table cold turkey,
cream and butter, fruits preserved in
maple syrup, and honey found in the
wild-bee tree.
Plenty of food, an abundance OF
candle-light, and the heartening
warmth of the Franklin stove near
her, may have suggested visions to
Peggy as she inquired of her friends,
What must | do with this money!"
"Sieur Abe has kept it safe" sug-
gested Antywine.
There is no one trustier!" spoke
Ann.
"Will you keep 1t for me, Mr.. Lin
coln?"
Il am not a good money getter." he
laughed, and doubt if | am a good
money-keeper. The only thing
could do would be to carry 1t around
f0s you and guarantee 1t shouldn't fall
into worse hands," 49,
The sweetheart knows you are the
strongest man in New Salem" said
Antywine, resting his cheek upon his
hand and lifting eyes OF confidence to
his elder.
But haven't measured with Clary's
Grove yet"
"Antywine and | both know" said
Peggy, how everybody looks up to
you. We could not keep 1t ourselves
as we'll as you could do it for us, Mr..
Lincoln"
Ann stretched out one slim, long
fingered hand to caress Peggy's cheek.
We'll, children, I'm OF age. and Ann
is Is. ] reckon we'll have to father
and moth er you. Do you know how
much money you have in this bank OF
Shiekshacks, Peggy?"
Il don't"
DO you know, Antywine?"
Me? No. | have never inquire
and Shickshack have not sho' me-"
II the trust is to be put into my