The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-08-28
She W0Oed
Him
BY F. A. Mitchell

GYTN the Ukraine. Russia. the
IWt woman does all the counting
~ When she falls in love with
(Ss4sE) man she goes to his house
and informs him of the state OF her
feelings II he reciprocates. all Is we'll
and the formal marriage IS duly ar |
ranged II. however. he is unwilling
she remains there. hoping to coax him
to better mind The poor fellow can
not treat her with the least diScourtesy.
nor has he the consolation of being
able to turn her out, as her friends IN
such q case would feel bound to avenge
the insult His remedy. therefore. II
determined not to marry her. is to
leave his home and stay away as long
us she Is in it.
One day Peter Komienzotf. bache
lor. living in the Ukraine with his moth
err. while doing some work about his
little place. heard a light step. looked
up. and there before him stood Anna
Avienieff. blushing and with her eyes
cast down to the ground.
What brings you to our cottage.
ing very well what brought her there
II have come. Peter. to make you a
proposition"
II am busy today. Anna. and have no
time to listen to your proposition"
Il will wait until you are at leisure
| She went into the house. and. being
met by Peters mother. the old woman
asked her what she wanted
"ro help you with your work. You
are not so strong as you were formerly
and need assistance"
ION the contrary. ! am in better
health than for many years. ! don't
need any one to help me"
Anna did not appear to mimi rebuff
from the woman. though when Peter
had shown that be was disposed to
get rid of her she shivered a little.
She began to sweep. The old woman.
knowing the customs Of the country
and understanding that the girl had
come to marry her son and that she
must not be treated with discourtesy.
permitted her to sweep on. while she
herself attended to some baking for
) supper.
, At supper time Peter came in. He
smoke to Anna and at the table was
careful to serve her from every dish
After supper he went to his room
where he spent some time. and when
he came out be carried Il leather bag.
II am sorry. Anna. to have to leave
YOU, but ! must go away for awhile
Ny mother will be glad to have you
with her during my absence Goodby
mother Be good to Anna"
Anna colored. but made no comment
on this action which she knew was In
tended to get rid OF her Peter put on
his hand. saying goodby; but. pretend
ing she did not see it. she turned ant
!, went into another room Then Pete
went away.
The customs Of Ukraine may be dit
= ferent from other places. but the fe1nl
Y nine constitution is the same every
d where Anna Avienieff did not relisl
u the rejection Of her suit. hut she mad
S no complaint. She had one Stron
II point in her favor in having poSsessio
- Of the premises. and possession is sal
. to be nine points Of the law. Sh
| stayed right where she was. and tn
:, next morning when Peters mo:he
arose to do her chores and get tn
r breakfast she found them all done an
49, the breakfast ready.
The old woman was wroth with tn
n girl for usnrping her work. but dare
ir not tell her so, fearing that Anna
IS brothers would hold Peter ACCOUNTABLE
Re Anna did most Of the work during thu
day. and the old woman. having litt
J., to do sat by the fireplace and doze
az This continued every day for mont
:. Peters mother gradually sinking int
le an easy life
N On the morning of the thirty-6r!
e. day after Peters departure his motht
Is awoke and did not hear the sound {
t, preparation to which she had grow
OF accustomed. Neither did Anna CON
~ into her room with basin of wat'
>, for her, as usual. The house was pc
IT. fectly still. The old woman got U
,o and looked in the kitchen. No or
ne was there. The fire had gone on
ne She went to Annals room and locke
in Anna was not there.
at There was nothing for it but to 6
u, her own breakfast and do the usu
III cleaning Besides. it was wash da
W and the laundering must be don
es During the day she sent for Peter. al
or when he came home for supper
a. found his mother tired out.
The next morning Peter got up ear
at and did the chores He did not knO
OF how to cook. SO he was obliged to
oi his mother cook the breakfast Du
W ing the day the old woman tried
at 10 tue work. Out she nao become U.s.
to doing before the fire. Besides. 81
at missed the hum of the little workil
nd bee The house was permitted to g
dirty. and things that the old wom'
a., had before Kept in repair were we:
ing out. Peter found that his moth
so disliked to get up in the early NOR
ing that he learned to cook the brea
- fast himself But he did not like {
ing so and liked the breakfasts
cooked still less
w One morning who should come
~ the walk but Anna. Peter radiant
~ ~ happy. went to meet her. Leading
In. his old mother put her arms arou
90 the girls neck
And then and there q marriage "
w arranged to take place soon. but I
w too soon for Peter