Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-15

absolutely clean, rolled back, uncover
Ing pair of plump, strong arms, a
saucer of tacks before her, and tack
hammer with claw head in her hand.
She was taking up the carpet. Grace
Van Horne, Captain Eben Hammond's
ward, who had called to see IL there
was anything she might do to help,
was removing towels, tablecloths, and
the like from the drawers In tall
"high-boy." folding them and placing
them in an old and battered trunk.
The pair had been discussing the sub
ject which all Trumet had discussed
for three weeks. namely, the calling
to the passionate of the Regular
church of the Rev. John Ellery. the
young divinity student, who was to
take the place of old Parson Langley,
minister in the parish for over thirty
years. Discussion in the village had
now reached critical point, for the
Reverend John was expected by al
most any coach. In those days the
days of the late fifties, the railroad
down the Cape extended only as far
as Sandwich; passengers made the
rest Of their journey by stage. Many
came direct from the city by the
packet, the little schooner, but Mr.
Ellery had written that he should
probably come on the coach.
They say he's very nice-looking,"
remarked Mis- Van Horne soberly, but
with mischievous glance under her
dark lashes at Keziah. The lady adj
dressed paused long enough to trans
fer several tacks from the floor to the
saucer, and then made answer.
"Humph!" she observed. ga good
many years ago saw theater show
up to Boston. Don't be shocked:
those circumstances we hear so much
tell of-the kind you can't control
have kept me from goin' to theaters
much, even if l wanted to. But | did
see this entertainment, and fool one
twas, too, all singin' instead of talkin'
opera. believe they called it. Well.
as l started to say, one of the leadip'
folks in 1t was the Old Harry himself.
and he was pretty good-lookin'."
Grace laughed. even though she had
been somewhat shocked.
why. Aunt Keziah!" she exclaimed
those who knew Keziah Coffin best
usually called her aunt. though real
nephews and nieces she had none
why. Aunt Keziah! What do you
! mean by comparing the-the person
you just mentioned with minister!"
| "Oh, I wasn't comparin' 'em; I'll
leave that for you Come-Outers to do.
Drat this carpet! Seems's II never
| saw such long tacks; do believe who
ever put 'em down drove 'em clean
through the center of the earth and
let the Chinymen clinch 'em on t'other
side. l haul up a chunk Of the cellar
floor with every one. All, hum!" with
sigh. Il cal'late they amt any more
anxious to leave home than am. But,
fairs the minister's concerned, didn't
hear of your Uncle Eben sayin' in
prayer meetin' only a fortni't or so
! ago that all hands who want Come
Cutters were own children to Satan
Mr. Ellery must take after his father
some. Surprisin', amt it, what fam
lily the old critters got"
The girl laughed again. For one
brought up. since her seventh year, In
the strictest of Come-Outer families,
she laughed a good deal. Many Come
Cutters considered it wicked to laugh.
Yet Grace did 1t, and hers was laugh
| pleasant to hear and distinctly pleas
ant to see.
Aunt Keziah," she said, why do
you go away? What makes you? Is
it absolutely necessary"
why do go? Why, for the same
reason that the Teller that was hove
overheard left the ship-'cause Pcan't
| stay"
II don't care!" The girls dark eyes
| flashed Indignantly 81 think it's too
bad Of Cap'n Elkanah to turn you out
| when"
| Don't talk that way. He amt turn
In me out. He amt lettin' houses for
his health and he'll need the money
to buy his daughters summer rigs
She amt had new dress for a month,
pretty near. and here's young and
good-lookin' parson heavin' in sight
Maybe Cap'n Elkanah would think a
minister was heightened enough even
| for Annabel to marry"
Hes only twenty-three, they say
remarked Grace, trifle maliciously
| Perhaps she'll adopt him"
Annabel was the only child of Cap.
tain Elkanah Daniels, who owned the
finest house in town. She was the
belle of Trumet. and had been for q
good many years.
Grace smiled. but quickly grew
grave.
Now. Auntie," she said. please
listen. I'm in earnest. 1t seems 10