Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-15
S"You miserable impudent-

he spoke as II the possibility or re-
fusal had never entered his mind Il
cal'lated you'd be glad. You wouldn't
have to go away then, nor My soul
and body! some ones Knockinr at tbs
door! And this dummed pipes fetched
loose!"
The last sentence was a smothered
shrek. Keziah needed not Neither
did she heed the knock at the door
Her hands were opening and closing
convulsively.
BE glad!" she repeated. "Glad to
marry good-for-nothin' sand-peep like
you! You sassy Get down of that
chair and out Of this house! Get down,
this minute!"
Il can't! This stovepipe's loose. ]
tell you. Be reasonable, Keziah. Do
don't you touch me! I'll fall if you
do. Please, Keziah!- o Lordy! ]
knew it. Laviny!"
The door opened On the threshold
arms akimbo and lips set tight, stood
Lavinia Pepper. Her brothers knees
gave way; in their collapse they
struck the chair back; the rickety leg
wabbled. Ryan grasped at the pipe to
save himself and, the next moment
chair. sections Of stovepipe, and Mr.
Pepper disappeared with mighty
crash behind the high-boy A cloud OF
SCOT arose and obscured the view
Kez'ah, too Indignant even to laugh
glareG at the wreck. In the doorway
of the kitchen Grace Van Horne, ham
mer il hand. leaned against the lamb.
her handkerchief at her mouth and
tears in her eyes. Lavinia, majestic
and rigid, dominated the scene. From
behind the high-boy came coughs.
sneezes and emphatic calculations.
Miss Pepper was the first to speak.
"Abishai Pepper" she commanded.
come cut of that this minute" q
The1e was sound Of scrambling.
More SCOT foated in the air. Then
around the corner of the high-boy APP
peared Mr.. Pepper, crawling on his
hands and knees. His hair was
streaked with black: his shirt front
and collar and shirt sleeves We're spot
ted and smeared with black: and from
his blackened cheeks his red whiskers
famed like the last glowing embers In
a fire-scarred ruin.
Il was Just tryin' to help Keziah
take down her stovepipe." he ex-
planned. "You see, she didn't have no
man to-"
Eyes, see. Well. judge you got It
down. Now you go out to the sink
and wash your face. Heavens and
earth! Look at them clothes!"
II do hope you didn't hurt yourself.
Abishai." said the sympathetic Keziah.
Then. as remembrance of what had
led to the upset came to her, she add
ed: Though l will say twas your
own fault and nobody else's."
Lavinia whirled on her
Dear me! Amt we innocent!
We've got plenty Of money, we have
Widowers with property amt no at
traction to US. Everybody knows that
oh. yes! And they never talk OF.
such a thing-oh. no! Folks don't say
that-that-> Well" with snarl In
the direction Of the kitchen, "are you
anywheres nigh clean yet? Get your
coat and hat on and come home with
me-"
She jerked her brother into the blue
coat. damned the tall hat down upon
his head. and, selling him by the arm,
stalked to the door.
Good day, marm," she said. II do
hope the next widower you get to take
down your stovepipe-yes, indeedl
ha! hal hope you'll have better luck
with him. Though don't know who
'twould be; there amt no more idiots
in town that l know Of Good day, and
thank you kindly for your attentions
to our family
Keziah turned from the door she
had closed behind her visitor.
WE'LL" she calculated. Well"
Steps, measured, dignified steps.
sounded on the walk. From without
came "Hum-ha!" portentous COM
bination of cough and grunt Grace
lodged back from the window and
hastily began DOMINIC her hat and
jacket
Its Cap'n Elkanah," she whispered
81 must go. This seems to be your
busy morning, Aunt Keziah. I'-here
she choked really. l didn't
know you We're so popular"
Keziah opened the door. Captain
Elkanah Daniels, prosperous, pompous
and unbending, crossed the threshold.
Richest man in the village, retired
shipowner. pillar of the Regular church
and leading member of it's parish COM
mittee, Captain Elkanah looked the
part. He removed his hat. cleared his
throat behind his black stock, and
spoke with impressive elaboration.
"keziah," he said, ''Keziah, l came
to see you on a somewhat important
matter. l have a proposal wish to
make you"
He must have been ssg0rised at the
effect of his words. Eleziah face was
picture, crimson picture of para
lyzed amazement. AS for Miss Van
Horne, that young lady gave vent to
what her friend deScrihed afterwords