Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-12-27

could talk a bit herself, and her trst
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, a most resigned expression
on his meek countenance, looked up
and saw her.
my landl Laviny," he exclaimed,
turning pale. "Where'd you come
FROM"
Never mind where l come from,
observed his sister promptly. you
Just be thankful I've come. II 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 'em. The idea
of your settin' outside takin' 1t easy
when your poor wife amt been buried
more'n an houri"
But-but-Layiny, 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, ana
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, I'M
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! do believe he's
coming counting, Aunt Keziah.
Mr.. Pepper entered difidently.
Il" he began. well, the fact
is, came out by myself. You see.
Laviny's gone up to Sarah BIS to talk
church doin's. I-I-wen, KIND OF
wanted to speak with you about some
thin, Keziah, So 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.
"Ohl I'm not going to stop, Mr..
Pepper" she said. 81 was only help
ing Aunt Keziah little, that's all. l
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 'Bishyll 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 / 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 of, hadn't you? Grace, fetch
one of those chairs for Ky-for
Bishy to stand op."
Grace obediently brought the chair
It happened to be the one with a
rickety leg, but its owner was help
ing the reluctant Abishai remove the
longtailed 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 / didn't
hardly dast to try it alone. That pipes
been up so long that / wouldn't won
der II 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 leave"
Reluctantly, slowly, the unwilling
Mr.. Pepper suffered himself to be led
to the chair. He mounted II and GIN
gerly took hold Of the pipe.
Better loosen it at the stove hole
first" advised Keziah. What was 1t
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. 1t loosened at
its lower end and the wires holding 1t
in suspension shook.
81 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. Therel
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 its horizontal section.
Don't be in such a hurry" inter
rupted Keziah. Does stick in the chin
ney, don't 1t? Tell you what you can
do, Grace; you can go in the woodshed
and fetch the hammer that's in the
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