Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-17
CHAPTER VII.
The Fitting Dinner.


on this April morning you will meet long
lines of vehicles loaded with household
goods-everywhere kaleidoscope of move
ment; old families leaving. new ones arriv-
ing: cattle and sheep and hogs driven along
the highways; Higgins of every pattern
piled with grotesque confusion; women
and children perched high among the boxes
and bureaus and dressers: old bed posts
sticking out at every angle; and reapers
and moving machines dragged along be-
hind "hay-iadders" through the April siush.
One day later you will seek in vain through
all the region for any trace of a "fiitt'n'."
Like all other institutions in the noun
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. schnittings, infares,
apple butterings. weddings-'hittns are
governed by certain infiexible traditions.
As rule. only near relatives are invited
to a ''flitt'n'.'' Should this exclusive circle.
however. not possess the requisite number
of higgins" then others are very welcome,
for 1t is unlucky IL there be not teams
enough to take everything at one grand
trip. Finally. like alb things else in the
Dutch belt. even funerals. the affair must
be crowned with an ample dinner furnished
by the filter and presided over by the good
fitting wife
So much of fittings
Dan Tressier was moving into Sugar VAL
ley. Six weeks before nothing had been
farther from his intention. but much may
happen in six weeks. 1t had come to him
like flash In clear weather.
Step in here. Dan" the squire had said
to him one day in February Come into
my office, will your" And he had gone in.
greatly wondering. Your lease expires
April first don't it?''
Yes"
I'm sorry. but 1 can't renew it
"What-whats that?" 1t was il the
air had suddenly been pumped from the
room
No: can't renew 1t. You see
why, squire. I've lived on your farm
nine years. Haven't l suited yeh? I've put
a lot Of money out. I've taken pride in it.
I've
Sorry, Dan, but | can't help it. You've
run It well; haven't any fault to ind, but
that nephew of mine three years ago
wanted the lease. I'd already made 1t out
to you. but he made me promise I'd give
him the next chance. 1t seems 1 signed a
paper. I'd forgot all about 1t till he re-
minded me of 1t yesterday. He said he was
going to hold me right to 1t: there's no use
OF my kicking. I'm mighty sorry. Dan"
But the improvements I've made
Its hard luck: see that. But you know
I didn't ask you to make EN-,
But the farms worth double what it was
when | took IT. I've sunk more thou
sand dollars on it in work and money;
youth
LAS 1 say. that's your own matter 1
didn't require it, You did 1t on your own
responsibility. It's your lookout
But If was satisfying yen, why did you
promise him the place? Why didn't you
tell me?"
'The rascaIs sharper: that's the long
and short of it. There's use trying to
hide it.; he got the best of me, and you
know mighty few say they ever done
that. / didn't realize what he wanted till
it was too late and II entirely forgot about
it till he came in yesterday. He's got me
tight and fast. There's no way out of 1t,
Dan. I'm powerless as child" And Dan,
after a moment of protest. had given In,
despite the fiimsy excuse, for IT is useless,
ones head against a stone wall. Now he
was moving into Sugar Valley. and twelve
farm wagons stood In his yard
The morning had swarmed with surprises
The first had come when Amos Harding
had driven up with the squires best team;
then had come Rose with her buggy full OF
baskets and bundles to help with the din
ner-clearly the old man was doing all he
could for Dan: but the GROWING sensation
was Jim Farthing, who had driven In late
with his fathers great team of Percherons.
The workers held their breaths; anything
might happen now.
Young Jim was In joyous mood; he had
caught a glimpse OF Rose in the kitchen.
and the effect had been magical There had
been small chance to speak to her since that
eventful night on Moon run. He had seen
her many times: he had even been very
rear her. for he had suddenly become most
regular in his church attendance, but with
Kari Kechline at the door and the old
squire at the front there had been no hope
for him. Now. however. they were far
away; the thought exhilarated him He
plunged into the work with all his soul.
Perchance she was looking. And IL she
were she saw goodly sight: the great,
sGuare-shouldered fellow Juggling away at
the big boxes and bureaus. and holding his
end against two men on the other.
Once he ventured into the kitchen for a
drink of water, and found the room fairly
Quivering with energy; 1t seemed full Of
women
Come. no men folks allowed here We're
in
There was snap in her voice and there wal
fun and mischief 1t set the room into a
merry burst. which somehow confused him
rightly.
but / want some water
"Oh, you do. All right here you are"
She scooped a cup into the water bucket
and like a fash showered him with IT. Then
she laughed again. There. you've got 1t:
now skip. Run where you belong or wen
take hot water to you" He hesi.ated. but
there was nothing else to do.
Here" she called. he was turning To-
ward the door Here's dipper. Catchr
She threw 1t with deft swing. and he
caught 1t in one hand. IS pose you try
the cistern There's where We get our
Goodbye" he echoed in puzzled tone:
then he retreated awkwardly amid much
laughter from around the sizzling stove.
roof began to jangle wildly. Dinner was
on time and the men. dropping everything
on the instant. swarmed into the house, a
motley crowd with coats on ana shirt
sleeves rolled high. Just inside they en-
courtered Mrs. Tressler. who, nervous and
excited was running hither and thfther as
&c demented.
Here Uncle Jake" she was calling jerk
fly You take this here chair wunst. Abe
and Lem; you set right down here. And,
oh here, Amos, here's place for you still.
Thar! And the rest of yeh, Lord. set any
where you get a chanel wunst. Thar.
She made side plunge for the stove, where
three nervous women were scocping up
various things out of pot and kettle re-
bounded like a rubber ball to the sink.
where Rose and another were peeling pota-
toes. then spun about AMI delivered sweep
ing order
Hurry up quick now" she sasped::
"opIjck-they're DOWN. Then she swirled
in n siding fiutter around the table Ike
June hug about lamp
The great rafting and scraping or chaifs
and feet as the men took their places was
succeeded by a sepulchral hush.
Uncle Jacob. will you invoke the divine
blsssing?" Dams voice sounded solemn ana
funereal The old man arose. and In qua
vering tones went through with the lof-
mula. Then the meal was on.
Fall right TO. boys, and do your darncest
T can't wait on yeh. I've got my hands Iuii
RE Int here Let 'er GO
FAN right Dan Joined In Amos. Here
goes: sail in boys. Don't let all TINS COCO
stuff phaze We. You baint no idee what
you can do jest by takin' one mouthfui a.
a time .,-,
Amos was in his element. Good cooking
woe bjs objaf theme at a dinner ike TINS,