The Delta independent., 1912-12-27
Keziah dropped the tack hammer


s'pose. How on earth did Laviny ever
come to let him ost alone?"
Mr. Pepper, Mr.. Abishai Pepper. To-
cally called Ryan" (Cayenne) Pepper
because of his RED hair and thin red
side whiskers, was one Of Trumet's s
Characters" and in his case the
character was weak. He was born in
the village and, when a yougster, had,
like every other boy of good family
in the community, cherished ambitions
for a seafaring life. His sister, La
vinia. ten years older than he, who.
after the death of their parents, had
undertaken the job of bringing up"
her brother, did not sympathize with
these ambitions. Consequently, when
Ryan ran away she followed him to
Boston, stalked aboard the vessel
where he had shipped, and collared
him, literally and figuratively. One
of the mates venturing to offer objec-
ton, Lavinia turned upon him and
gave him a piece of her mind, to the
immense delight of the crew and the
loungers on the wharf. Then she re-
turned with the vagrant to Trumet.
That was Kyan's sole venture, so far
as sailoring was concerned, but he
ran away again when he was twenty
five. This time he returned Of his
own accord, bringing wife with him,
one Evelyn Gott of Ostable. Evelyn
could talk bit herself, and her first
interview with Lavinia ended with the
latter's leaving the house in a rage.
swearing never to set foot in 1t again.
This oath she broke the day of her
sister-in-law's funeral. Then she ap-
peared, after the ceremony, her bag
gage on the wagon with her. The be-
reaved one, who was sitting on the
front stoop Of his dwelling with. SO
people say. a most resigned expression
on his meek countenance, looked up
and saw her.
my land! Laviny," he exclaimed.
turning pale. "Where'd you come
from?"
Never mind where I come FROM"
observed his sister promptly. you
Just be thankful I've come II ever
a body needed some one to take care
of 'em, it's you. You can tote my
things right in" she added. turning
to her grinning driver. "and you.
'Bishy. go right in with 'em. The idea
of your settin' outside takin' it easy
when your poor wife amt been buried
more'n an hour!"
But-but-Laviny." protested poor
Ryan, speaking the truth unwittinely,
Il couldn't take 1t easy afore she was
buried, could II"
GO right in" was the answer.
march,"
Abishai marched, and had marched
under his sisters orders ever since.
She kept house for him. and did 1t
well, but her one fear was that some
female might again capture him, and
she watched him with an eagle eye.
He was the town assessor and tax col.
lector, but when he visited dwellings
containing single women or widows.
Lavinia always accompanied him, ito
help him in his figgerin'." she said.
Consequently. when he appeared. un.
chaperoned. on the walk leading to
the side door of the CONN homestead.
Keziah and her friend were surprised.
Hes dressed to kill" whispered
Grace, at the window. Even his tall
hat; and in this fog! l do believe he's
coming courting, Aunt Keziah."
Mr. Pepper entered diffidently.
IL" he began. We'll, the fact
is, came out by myself. You see.
Laviny's gone up to Sarah BIS to talk
church doin's. I-I-well, kind Of
thin, Keziah, So Oh! i didn't see
you, Oracle. Good mornin'."
He didn't seem overjoyed to see
Miss Van Horne, as 1t was. In fact.
he redeemed perceptibly and backed
toward the door. The girl. her eyes
twinkling, took up her Jacket and hat.
"Oh! I'm not going to stop. Mr..
Pepper" she said. 81 was only help
ing Aunt Keziah a little, that's all.
must run on now"
Run on-nonsense!" declared L }
ziah decisively. You're goin' to 8. I
right here and help us get that stove
pipe down. And 'BishyIl help, too.
Won't you, 'Bish?"
The stovepipe was attached to the
"air-tight" in the dining room. It
the pipe-rose perpendicularly for a
few feet and then extended horizon
tally, over the high-boy, until 1t en-
tered the wall. Ryan looked at 1t and
then at his Sunday clothes"
why. I'd be glad to. OF course" he
declared with dubious enthusiasm.
But don't knows I'll have time. Per-
haps I'd better come later and do 1t.
Leyiny. she"
"Oh, Laviny can spare you for
few minutes. ] guess; specially as she
don't know you're out. Better take
your coat off, hadn't you? Grace. fetch
one of those chairs for Ky-for
Bishy to stand on"
Grace obediently brought the chair.
It happened to be the one with
rickety leg, but It's owner was help
Ing the reluctant Abishai remove the