Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-11-08

Pettibone, well-along spinster Of an
gular form and temper, thin to an al
most painful degree, with a well-de-
fined mustache; and general helper
on the farm, and a chore boy about
Chips age named Meier, completed
the list
Once included IN this somewhat di,
verse group, Chip became an immedi-
ate bone of contention.
Aunt Comfort, of course, opened her
heart to her at once; but Hannah
closed hers, almost from the first day,
and in addition she began to nurse
malice as well. There was some rea.
son for this, mainly due to Chips
startling freshness of speech.
y thought ye must be a man wearin'
wimmin's clothes, the first time l see
ye," she said to Hannah the next day
after her arrival, and without mean
ing offense. 1T was all on account O
yer little whiskers, / guess. l never
see woman with EN- afore. Why
don't we shaver"
This was enough; for If there was
any one thing more notifying than
all else to Hannah, it was her facial
blemish and a mention of it she con-
sidered an intentional insult
From this moment onward she hated
Chip.
Meier, however, took to her as q
duck to water, and her story. which
he soon heard. became a real dime
novel to him, and not content with one
telling, he insisted on repetition. This
was also unfortunate for-blessed with
vivid imagination and sure to en-
large upon all facts-he soon spread
the story with many blood-curdling
additions.
These stories, with Uncle Joe's cor
roboration, resulted in a direful tale
believed by all. Neighbors flocked in
to see this heroine of many escapades
villagers halted in front of Aunt Com
forts to catch a sight of this marvel,
and so the wonder spread.
Angie was, Of course, to blame.
More impressed with the seriousness
of the task she had undertaken than
the need of caution, she had failed to
tell Chip she must not talk about her
self, and so a woefully distorted his
tory became current gossip.
When Sunday came the village
church was packed and Parson Jones
marveled much at the unexpected in
crease of religious interest. He had
heard of this new arrival, but when
the Frisbie family with Chip, in suit
able clothing, entered their pew, the
cynosure of all eyes, this unusual at
tendance was accounted for.
And what staring-at Chip received
On the church steps a group of both
young and old men had awaited her
arrival and gazed at her in open-eyed
astonishnent All through service she
was watched, and not content with
this, a dozen or so. men and women,
formed a double line outside, awaiting
the Frisbies' exit.
Angie also failed to understand the
principal cause of this interest. Her
last appearance at this church had
been as a bride. Naturally that fact
would produce some staring, and so
the curious and almost rude scrutiny
the family received was less noticed
by her
But Chips eyes were observant.
Il don't like goin' to meetin'," she
said, AN bein' stared at like was
wildcat. l seen 'em GRIMM, too,
some on 'em, when we went in, an one
Teller winked to another. What allied
emp"
Her vexations, however, had only
just begun, for Angie had seen and
made arrangements with Miss Phin-
ney, one of the village school teachers,
and the next morning Chip was sent
to school. And now real trouble COM
menced.
TO be continued.l