The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-09-24
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;;;;; ;;;;;;; South Branch Farm. !?!!!!!!!!:s:: ?!!!!!!!:s::
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1t is the most beautiful in the
world!" said Mrs Taney.
She stopped and went in hastily.
she felt the tears choking her. She
could hear Mr.. Burke tell the child
that his school was in Fauquier. and
that he had often passed her grand
fathers house. 1t was for sale now.
with a dozen acres about 1t; would
sell very cheaply. no doubt. Land
had deprecated since the war.
8 A quiet. comfortable little home
stead, too" he said, "as any in the
State"
MRS. Taney paused in her work.
Ob, II l could only show it to
Lefty" she said to herself. THE
dear old farm, The sunny porches
and the Bourbon roses, and the great
oaks, centuries oldt" She never had
spoken of her old home to her other
children; but to Lefty she had talked
or 1t very often, when they were
alone. Lefty was like herself-the
| others were all Taneys.
She came to the door.
DO you know, Mr.. Burke. II there
Is an old negro on the place-a gar
dener?"
Uncle Tod? Oh. everybody knows
the old man! And his stories about
the Clevelands, de fambIy.' as he
calls them"
William Taney waited until the
young man had gone, and then went
| into the pantry. where his mother
was straining the last crock of milk.
Something in his manner made her
set it down. trembling.
You have bad news to tell?" she
said -
"No." with an uneasy, strident
laugh. Most folks count it good
Fact is. mother, I've made up my
mind to marry"
oh. William!" her old cheeks COL
oring.
Il made up my mind three months
ago. And the girls courted, and the
weddings to be tomorrow. There
now! No need for you to look in that
way. I'm generally pretty close
moutaed about my own business; you
might know that. And didn't choose
to have the matter cackled over at
home. The girls Miss Sophy Craw-
ford"
His mother came toward him. He
was her son. after all, and this was
the turning-point of his life. She
put her arms about him and kissed
him. God bless you. my boy!" she
said.
He stood immovable as q log.
Don't let's have any fuss" he
said. You'd better sit down. You're
shaking all over. ThereH be no we'd
ding hubbub here. 1 don't hold to
spending money in feeding a lot of
guzzling fools. The Crawfords are
to have a regular blowout in the
! morning. But you don't want to go,
l reckon?" uDeasily.
II should like to see you married" ="
timidly.
"Oh, nonsense! There's no sickly
sentiment about me. I'll have Sophy
home by supper-time. YouH have to
see to things here
He lighted his candle and turned
to go. BY the way, she was here a
month ago"
Yes" Mrs. Taney remembered
distinctly the s-featured. black
eyed young woman who had swag-
gered through the farmhouse in her
cheap silk and gilt jewelry.
She came just to look at her new
home, and-well-she rather took a
fancy to the south chamber. You'd
better fix it up for her."
MY room, William?"
yes. It's all the same to you. OF
course you can go up to Lefty"
Lefty, who had been at work in
side, came out and threw her arms.
sobbing, about her mother. She knew
that this had been her mothers room
for thirty years. All Mrs. Taney's
children were. born in it; the baby
died there.
MY son!"
But he stalked off to bed.
There was no time next day for
Mrs. Taney or Lefty to even think
of the coming trouble. They were up.
as usual. two or three hours before
day, kindling fires. milking, and cook
ing breakfast for the six harvest
hands. Then came washing, dinner
at noon. all the work of farm. I'm
short. which falls on the women. In
addition to which was the cleaning
and nranarafiou of fko ~no,.> x..s.sr