The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-10-10
John Henry I.
Wife
~ nREV


do youf Well I thought likely that
would be the cry soon ~ ever l got
set down with my knitting; an rely,
girls. I don't know what TO tell, ~
you have heard my stories time an
sgln; but I do wonder n ! ever told
you about my visit to John Henry'sf
I've had EN- on my mind AL DIV,
ever sence that letter come from JokA
this mornin'. He an his brother Dan1
don't live moFe'n ten mile apart an
they married sisters; but law. them
women wasn't no more alike than sum.
mer and winter. IN John got the poor.
eat bargain.
"Minervy-tkat's his wife-she's a
good woman; IN fact, she's too good
an nice to take a mlnnit's peace Of
her life, or let anybody else take any;
she's a reg'lar fusseri
Well. three year ago your gran'pa
an me vent there. We felt the need
Of a little trip, an so when haydn an
harvest was dene. he took a notion TO
go an visit his nephews.
I'VE drove right across country. an
Il amt much over 80 mile. We got 70
John Henry's place about four o'clock.
an we found John mendin' a fence
right by the road. so he walked slong
beside us right up to the house. He'd
grown dreadful old sence I'd seen him,
that Is. old for such 4 young man. He
seemed glad to see us, an yet he was
kindly hustered. ] thought but he said
his wife was home. an they was all
well as usual. I'd e seen Minervy
In her own house yet, an quite reck-
oned on 1t.
1T was quite a nice house. painted
white, with green blinds, but Il was
the longest strungout buildin' / ever
e e There had been addition after
addition put on until II reached pref
y near to the barn; but the doors an
winders was all shut up tight, an II
we hadn't met John ! shouldn't have
thought there was a soul to home.
But John helped me out and
showed me the way into the house.
Wei have to go around. he said;
I s'pose Minervy's way in the back
room
The flag stones was as clean as a
fresh washed plate, an not a stick. or
twig, OF scrap Of litter was anywhere
in sight. Near the side door where
we finally stopped. set two children
on a bench with books IN their hands.
4 bent down an kissed EN-. an
said how surprised I wal 20 sec EN-
so large, but come to think they was
six an eight years old. didn't know
what TO make OF them children
whether they was iackin', or what
allied EN- to be so sim an solemn an
queer; but Jest that minnit their
mother opened the door a leetle crack.
an hearing voices, called out:
John IN Jane! be quiet and study
your lessonsl'
"'Minervy, here's company said
John Henry; Its Aunt Mary Bassot;
you remember herl'
"she opened the door about has
way and said: Dear me. yes! How
do you do. Aunt Nary You've
catched me all unexpected. but do
come in. Who's with you Uncle
Nathan?
"'Yes: we kindly took a notion to
come to-day
John went back to care for the
horse. an when his wife shut the door
after me It seemed as dark az a dun.
geon in the room.
You better come IN the next room
fore ever you set down she said.
for it's 50 dirty in here. I see some
fresh hnger-marks on the paint jest
as you come in. ] " 10 keep de.
cent; but John an the children Is so
careless. ! get clear discouraged with
EN-
Il followed her voice into the ad.
Joining room. but Il was so dark I
couldn't see the dirt n there had been
cart iOads Of Il; nor / couldn't tell n
We was in kitchen, or dining-room. or
whore. Mineryy rolled up the shade
a little bit. and took my things. an
DRAWN Gus a chair said:
do set down an rest I'm sur.
priaed you eeuld endure sech . long
ride; / couldn't
Amt you in good health, Miner
VT says !.
"'oh, I Amt rely sick. but I'm
just completely tagged out; there's
90 much 20 do from morning tll
night. an day after day. do think
q farm 10 the dirtiest place In the
world with lie mud an flies.
Il looked at her as she sot there in
the ray Of light. IA sech q careworn,
detected eountenance I never seen;
she looked nigh a. old as / aid,
Why. / think you've got a lovely
place here. Minervy; / should think
you'd take a lot OF comfort with a..
says /. When ] was your age / used
10 enjoy plekin' berries, an gaehenn.
fruit an nuts. an an such things "a
much AZ my children did. an ! amt
rely got over q relish for sech doln'l
yet. old a. / be-
Mercy sakes. Aunt Maryl ] don't
have any time for such play. Why.
I never got out Of the yard only q