The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-03-06
That was Kysn's sole venture, 60 rar |

one Evelyn Colt Of Ostable. Evelyn
could talk bit herself, and her first
interview with Lavinia ended with the
latter's leaving the house in rage,
swearing never 10 set foot in it 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 couhtenance, looked up
and saw her.
"My land! Laviny," he exclaimed.
turning pale. "Whered you come
frOm?"
"Neeer mind where I come from,
observed his sister promptly. You
just be thankful I've come. II ever
body needed some one to cake care
Of em, it's you. You can tote my
things right in" she added, turning
to her grinning driver, land you,
'Bishy, go right in with 'em. The idea
of pour settin' outside takin' it easy
when your poor wife amt beSn 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 r."
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 II
we'll, but her one fear was that some
! female might again capture him, ana
she watched him with an eagle eye.
He WIS 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 flggerin'," she said.
Consequently, when he appeared, un-
| chaperoIred, on the walk leading to
the side door Of the Coffin homestead
Keziah and her friend were surprised.
He's 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 efficiently
"I-I--" 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-well, | kind of
wanted to sneak with you about some
thin. Kcziah, 60 oh! ! didn't see
you. Oracle. GOOD mornin'."
He didn't seem overjoyed to see
Miss Van Horne. as 1t 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. II was only help
ing Aunt Kezlah little, that's all.
must run on now
RUIZ on---nonsense!" declared Ike
ziah decisively You're goin' TO stay
right here and help us get that stove
pipe down And 'Bishyll help, too.
Wont you, 'Bish?'
The stoyepipe was attached to the
| "air-tight" in the dining room. It
the pipe--rose perpendicularly for a
few feet and then extended horizon
tally, over the high-boy, until 1t 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-
hapg I'd better come later and do 1t.
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
It 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 bad 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
helm" she said. Craze and didn't
hardly dast to try it alone. That pipes
been up so long that | wouldn't won
der IL 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. v
Reluctantly, slowly, the unwilling
Mr.. Pepper suffered himself to be led
TIC 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 1t
you wanted to see me about, 'Bish?'
ooh 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
| it's lower end and the wires holding it
in suspension shook.
Il guess observed the lady CT 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 a position between
!! the high-boy and the wall. Then he
remounted and gripped the pipe in tbs
middle Of its horizontal section.
Don't be in such q 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
table drawer. Hurry up, that's a good
girl"
IVAN protested that he did not need
| the hammer, but his protest was un-