The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-08-30

III NOp4IlBul 1910, Oy huDy DOuBlhS
'r aon't see why you would name a
girl child Jessica-you might "a known
she'd grow up so prim and high headed
and hateful no man in his senses d
ever want to marry her. and, land
knows, women that don't marry have q
hard time" Grandma Cole said to her
sons meek widow.
Mrs Cole answered a little tremu-
lousy. But, mother, they do want to
marry her. Jessy might a had four
proposals last year, If only she'd "a
gone and let the men speak out"
And who were the men, I'd like to
know" Grandma pulled, her throat
swelling visibly. "Widderwers with
nine children, or else one foot In the
grave, or cranky old bachelors, or may
be even preachers. Besides, how can
you know even a preacher wants to
marry you unless he ups and says SO?
l never did hold with this way of
maxim out every man that went to a
house or even rode past it had notion
of goin' there courtin'."
She paused in breathless triumph. If
Mrs. Lem Cole had been wise she
would have held her peace. Grandma
bore controyerting very i'll indeed, and
to prove her in the wrong was to risk
everything. Mrs. Lem knew that very
WELL but a goaded woman Is often q
desperate one. Therefore she burst
out: well! Three of the men-and
they weren't wldowers nor preachers,
but real good chances-asked me to
ask Jessy IL she'd listen to 'em. And
the other one
There wasn't any other one. Maria,
l don't believe one word you're
sayin'," Grandma broke out furlously.
-Four proposals indeed! Why, Ann
Liza didn't have but three In the whole
of last year and the beaus around her
all the time like bees around honey
pot"
THE other one was Jimmy Wakefield.
And he wouldn't be stopped. Just up
and asked Jessy like man." Mrs. Lem
said, not meekly, but with such red
spots in her cheeks she looked almost
as young as her daughter.
Get out of here your Grandma
painted. Jimmy Wakefield, indeed
Why he's never had a notion to any
body but Ann Liza. And she's goin' to
take him, too, when she gets good and
ready. Don't you dare talk Of him
wantin' that stick of a Jessy. If l
thought there was any truth In what
you've said I'd send you straight out of
the house."
Then We'll 20 without waiting to
be sent" Jessy burst out from the
doorway. She had been standing just
outside, feeling somehow that her dear
patient mother might need her help and
countenance Il don't like to tell, to
say such things" she went on. but
nanny told the truth, nothing but the
truth And she shan't stay here to be
insulted. Unless you ask her pardon
Wen go away"
"Where? To the county poorhouse?
l don't know any other chance for ye."
Grandma said, white faced, her eyes
flashing.
She was an imperious old lady, nobly
partial to her namesake and favorite
grandchild, Ann Eliza Wicks, partly
because Ann Eliza was pretty and tax
ing and impertinent, partly also be-
cause she had money enough of her
own to be entirely independent.
Grandfather Cole had left everything
to his wife. She held on to 1t with a
grip of iron. All her five children had
prospered except luckless Lemuel. He
had left wife and daughter little except
his Ill luck. 1t had followed them so
throughout the three years since his
death they had at last been forced to
accept the shelter Grandma had grudg-
ingly offered.
Teach school! You know l won't
have that" grandma had said to Jes-
sys plan. mo, missy, I'll marry you
off In a year. Then you can take your
mother home with you. Remember
beggars mustn't be choosers. You
amt quite a beggar You'll get some
thing when | die, of course. But l
amt going to see my husbands money
wasted as long as l can help it, even
If l had any to spare, which l haven't.
1t costs such n lot to do things. Why,
just even half livin' nearly bankrupts
me. Ann Liza has to have things.
She's got a delicate appetite, and so
notionate She can afford to be, be-
cause she can keep on havin' what she
wants when she comes to spendln' her
own money. You've got no money TO
spend, so you'd better learn economy
every way"
Jessy had been for going away then,
but her mothers timorous fears had
prevailed on her to stay. Jessy was
not strictly pretty. Her eyes were toe
serious, her lips too severe. She had
a good chin, fine and clean cut, and a
lovely neck below it. Her hair was
faxen, her eyes a water blue.
Ann Eliza had black eyes and hair
and very high color. Grandma thought
her the prettiest creature In the world
She likewise thought Jesslca hardly
passabIe. But now as she faced her
grandchild she saw a Jesslca ne~ and
strange, one whose cheeks were dam
ask roses.
The change startled her. She turned
half about, saying In a grumbling