Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-15
mr.. Pepper entered diffident1y.


IL" he began. well, the fact
is. came out by myself. You see,
Layiny's gone up to Sarah BIS to talk
church doin's. I-I-well, / kind of
wanted to speak with you about some.
thin, Keziah, go Oh! l 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
"Oh! Pm not going to stop, Mr.
Pepper" she said. II 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 'Bishy'll help, too
Won't you, 'Bish?"
The stovepipe was attached to the
Albright" in the dining room. It
the pipe-rose perpendicularly for a
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 don't knows I'll have time. Per
haps I'd better come later and do it.
Laviny, she"
"Oh Laviny can spare you for a
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
1t happened to be the one with a
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 tc
help" she said. Grace and I didn't
hardly dast to try it alone That pipes
been up so long that wouldn't won
der if twas chock-full of SCOT. If you're
careful. though, don't believe you'll
get any on you. Never mind the floor;
I'm goin' to wash that before l 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 1t at the stove hole
first" advised Keziah. What was it
you wanted to see me about, 'Bish?'
ooh nothin', nothin,," was the hasty
response. "Nothin' of any account
that is to say"
He turned rsdder than ever and
wrenched at the pipe. 1t loosened at
its lower end and the wires holding 1t
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 1t. Grace. you help me. There!
that's better Now move your chair. "
Ryan stepped from the chair and
moved the latter to a 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 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
and fetch the hammer that's in the
table drawer. Hurry up, that's good
girl"
Ryan protested that he did not need
the hammer. but his protest was un-
needed With one more glance at the
couple, Grace departed from the kitch-
en-. biting her lips. She shut the door
carefully behind her. Mr.. Pepper Ia
bored frantically with the pipe.
mo use to shake 1t any more till
you get the hammer" advised Keziah.