The Marshall republican., 1908-01-17
VI.
The Ciothes-Pin Cure.


The old man had plowed six times
around the six-acre field the next
morning, singing and whistling his
~unearthly tune as he went, when Seffy
numbered at the bars and started the
big bay around In the opposite direc.
ton. The first time they passed his
father only wlnked mysteriously and
continued to whistle. The next time
he stopped.
we won't go home tell morning,
hah, Sef? ] usen't to myself. Say
looks like someslng occurred after all.
hah? No one don't stay tell morning
unless"
Sefy was silent.
That's right. Kiss but nefer tell.
For telling breaks the spell. II you've
had n and want another-kiss but
shut your head up. Say-you don't
want to be no anchel now, I expect.
hah? Mebby you own one?"
But Sefy and the mare had disap.
pointingly passed on.
We'll! Gee-wo-way-gee! Git
along!" And he also made another
furrow-in a less happy temper.
When they met again:
whoa" roared the old man, and
the mare stopped-trembling In her
tracks. He laughed. Betz still re.
sponded II seffy did not.
"Sef-sery. did anysing occur?"
Sefy faltered guilty a moment.
Yes" he said, then briefly. some.
thing always occurs"
"sef-SeTy. but about the pas.
ture--"
Sefy started the mare.
"Whoa!" roared the old man again,
with the same result. But he did not
laugh this time. He sat on the handles
OF his pillow and regarded his son. He
was vaguely disturbing.
Say" he began o~minously, you
didn't git sot out?"
"Uhu." answered Seffy.
what! Why. you durn---"
But then he laughed.
shiny hat nc good?"
Sefy said no.
Nor the diamond. nor the hair
grease. nor messing? Oh gosh.a'.
mighty! Gee-wo-way!"
But before they met again, p his
gaiety had given way To an immense
disappointment. The tragedy OF the
situation had prevailed with him, too.
Sery sullenly kicked n clod to pieces.
His father looked OF toward the GOV.
eted pasture and sighed. IL wal a
superb piece Of land. And Il had
never looked fairer. The sun was on
It's velvet green-the sun OF the morn.
Ing. A few thick-girthed. wholesome
oak trees punctuated II. A stream
laughed through II. Goodly cows stood
chewing In the water and swishing
amiably' at the flies. The fences were
intact. II would have been a delight
TO the eyes OF any farmer on earth.
The old man sat on the handles of his
pillow until II all got In his head once
more.
IT'S q nice field. Sef-Seny," he
sighed. Il meier seen no such clofer.
And she's a nice gal. I nefer seen no
such gal. bose nice. Oach! they be-
long together. Well, gee-wo-way!
(, They belong to u.s."
\ They always stopped for a word
Z when they met. The next time the
old man said. quite caressingly:
Come we're. Sell"
He patted one ~plow.handle, which
seny took, while he took the other.
He thoughtfully pulled the boys shirt
into place.
"Sef," he said, tell me about II.
I'm sorry l laughed! But | lofe that
pasture and you lofe Sally. Let's not
be fools. but git 'em. I expect you feel
a little bad. But mebby you'll feel
better II you talk about It. That is the
way wiss me. I know; when anysing
occurs / like to gable about it-and
go and do It again-better." He let
his hand rest kindly on Seffy's shout
der. To this his son responded.
II fell asleep" said Seny, smiling
ominously.
"of course" said his father. with q
comforting movement OF his hand.
That's right"
Seffy was ~amazed-and comforted.
Il expect I snored--"
"Er--yas-you do snore. SET. Fiery
y, body does. It's the Lords fault. I ex-
pect."
~ In nice cneer-
3 "Yas-you oughtn't "a set In no
nice cheer, SET; somesing uneasy ID
better"
"Didn't wake up till daylight"
where was you then, Self"
I'm the cheer-Sal-Sally's cheer"
The words stuck pitifully in his
throat.
"Yas-" said the old man. looking
away. II don't blame you. Sef."
IT was q p~asteboard thing-ike a
tombstone-pinned on my bosom
'svat!" cried his Yfather--the w.
would become "" In cases Of suddeI
emotion.
aPasteboard - commissioned" Sefyi
head dropped In shame. with thing
printed on it--'Sephenijah p. Baum