The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-10-18
That was Kyan's sole venture, so far


own accord, bringing a wife with him,
one Evelyn Colt of Ostable. Evelyn
could talk a bit herself, and her first
interview with Lavinia ended with the
latter's leaving the house in 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, 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. If ever
| 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 EN-. The idea
| of your settin' outside takin' 1t easy
when your poor wife amt been buried
more'n an hour!"
But-but-Laviny, protested poor
Ryan, speaking the truth unwittingly,
81 couldn't take it 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, TO
help him in his figgerin'," she said.
Consequently, when he appeared, IN
chaperoned, on the walk leading to
the side door of the Coffin homestead,
Keziah and her friend were surprised.
Hes dressed to KILL" whispered
Grace, at the window. Even his tall
hat; and in this fog! I dc believe he's
coming counting, Aunt Keziah.
Mr.. Pepper entered efficiently.
Il" he began. We'll, the fact
is, l came out by myself. You see,
Laviny's gone up to Sarah BIS to talk
church doin's. I-I-well, l kind OF
wanted to speak with you about some
thin. keziah, So On! | didn't see
you, Oracle. Good mornin'."
He didn't seem overjoyed to see
Miss Van Horne, as it was. In fact,
he Redeemed perceptibly and backed
toward the door. The girl, her eyes
twinkling, took up her Jacket and hat.
ooh! I'm not going to stop, Mr..
Pepper" she said. Il was only help
ing Aunt Keziah a little, that's all.
must run on now"
Run on-nonsense!" declared Ke-
ziah decisively. You're goin' to stay
right here and help US get that stove
pipe down. And 'Bishyu help, too.
Won't you, 'Bish?"
| The stovepipe was attached to the
"air-tight" in the dining room. It
| the pipe-rose perpendicularly for
few feet and then extended horizon
tally, over the high-boy, until it en-
tered the wall. Ryan looked at it and
! then at his Sunday clothes"
why, I'd be glad to, of course" he
| declared with dubious enthusiasm.
"But l don't knows I'll have time. Per
| haps I'd better come later and do it.
! Laviny. she"
ooh, Lavfny can spare you for
few minutes, I 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
! long-tailed blue coat which had been
| his wedding garment and had adorned
his person on occasions Of ceremony
ever since She did not notice the
! chair
Its real good of you to offer to
help" she said. "Grace and l didn't
hardly dast to try it alone. That pipes
been I'D so long that l wouldn't won
der if twas chock-full Of SCOT. If you're
/ careful though, l don't believe you'll
get any on you. Never mind the floor;
I'm goin' to wash that before / leave"
Reluctantly, slowly, the unwilling
Mr.. Pepper suffered himself to be led
to the chair He mounted it and gin
gerly took hold Of the pipe.
Better loosen it at the stove hole
first" advised Keziah. What was it
you wanted to see me about, 'Bish?'
/ "Oh nothin', nothin'," was the hasty
response. "Nothin' Of any account
that is to say"
He turned redder than ever and
wrenched at the pipe. It loosened at
its lower end and the wires holding it
in suspension shook.
Il guess observed the lady Of the
house, that you'd better move, that
| chest of drawers out SOS you can get
behind it Grace, you help me. There!
that's better. Now move your chair"
Ryan stepped from the chair and
moved the latter to position between
the high-boy and the wall. Then he
remounted and gripped the pipe in the
middle Of it's horizontal section.
Don't be in such a hurry" inter-
rupted Keziah. Does stick in the chin
ney, don't it? Tell you what you can
do. Grace: you can go in the WOOdshed