Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-01-23

Pettibone. q wcilaiong gpinsfrr a. am
gular form and temper. thin to an az
most painful degree. with woli.de.
fined mustache; aud . general helper
on the farm. and a chore boy about
Chips age named Nezef. completed
the list
Once included IN this somewhat az.
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 70 Chips
startling freshness OF speech.
Il thought ye must be a man wearin'
wimmin's clothes. the first time SEQ
ye." she said 10 Hannah the next day
after her arrival. and without mean
ing offenss. 1T was all on account o.
yer little whiskers, I guess. | never
see a woman with 'em afore Why
don't ye shaver"
This was enough; for II there was
any one thing more notifying than
all else to Hannah. Il was her facial
biemish. and a mention OF II she con.
sidered an intentional insult.
From this moment onward she hated
Chip
Meier. however. took 10 her as a
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
a vivid imagination and sure to en-
large upon all facts--he soon spread
the story with many blood-eurdilng
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 10 catch 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
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 a staTing-at Chip received
On the church steps a group OF both
young and old men had awaited her
arrival and gaEed at her In openeyed
establishment. All through service she
was watched. and not content with
this, dozen or So men and women,
formed a double line outside, awaiting
the Fris5ies' exit.
Angle 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' 10 meetin'." she
said. an bein' stared at like | was a
wildcat. seen EN- GRIMM. too.
some on EN-. when We went In. an one
Teller wlnked to another. What allied
EN-"
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
10 school. And now real trouble COM
menced.
Not knowing more than how to read
and spell short words. and unable to
write. she. fairly we'll developed
young lady. presented problem which
was hard for a teacher TO solve. To
put her in the class where she be-
longed was absurd. She must sit with
older girls. or look ridiculous. II she
recited with the eight.year-old chill
dren. the result would be the same.
and so a species of private tuition
with recitations at noon or after school
became the only possible course and
iue one heI NedCuef auOpteu.
This also carried it's vexations. for
Chip was as tall as Miss Phinney and
a little larger Not one of that band
OF pupils was over IL. To Join in their
games was no sport for Chip. while
they. having heard about her thrilling
experiences, with a hint that she
wasn't quite right in her head. felt
afraid OF her.
Il feel so sorry for her" Miss Phin-
ney explained To Angle. a week later.
and yet, don't know what to do. She
is so big the children won't play with
her or she with them. | am the only
one with whom she will talk. and she
seems 50 humble and 30 grateful for
every word. ! can't be as stern with
her or govern her as | should, on &C