Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-04

Sarah ordered three to be put in the
old barn, the other in the house shed
where the cooking stove had stood
That added to the excitement. 1t was
whispered that all four cows were
domiciled In the house.
Toward sunset on Saturday, wher
Adoniram was expected home, there
was knot Of men in the road neal
the new barn. The hired man had
premises. Sarah Penn had supper al
ready. There were brown bread and
baked beans and custard pie; 1t was
the supper that Adoniran loved on 9
Saturday night. She had on a clear
calico, and she bore herself imperturb.
ably. Nanny and Sammy kept close
at her heels. Their eyes were large
and Nanny was full Of nervous trem.
ors. Still there was to them more
pleasant excitement than anything
else. An inborn confidence in theiI
mother over their father asserted It
self. |I',i
Sammy looked out Of the harness
room window. There he is," he an
Nanny peeped around the casing. MRS
Penn kept on about her work. The
children watched Adoniram leave the
new horse standing In the drive while
he went to the house door. 1t was
fastened. Then he went around to the
shed That door was seldom locked,
even when the family was away. The
thought how her father would be con-
fronted by the cow flashed upon Nam
ny. There was hysterical sob In her
throat. Adoniram emerged from the
shed and stood looking about in daz-
ed fashion. His lips moved: he was
saying something. but they could not
hear what 1t was. The hired man was
peeping around corner Of the old
barn, but nobody saw him.
Adoniram took the new horse by the
bride and led him across the yard to
the new barn. Nanny and Sammy
skunk close to their mother. The barn
Adoniram, with the long mild face of
the great Canadian farm horse look
ing over his shoulder.
Nanny kept behind her mother. but
Sammy stepped suddenly forward and
stood In front Of her.
Adoniram stared at the group.
What on airth you all down here
for?" said he. Whats the matter over
to the houses"
We've come here to live. father"
said Sammy. His shrill voice quavered
out bravely.
. "What"-Adoniram sniffed-"whet
is 1t smells like cookin'?" said he. He
stepped forward and looked In the
open door of the harness room. Then
he turned to his wife. His old bristling
face was pale and frightened. What
on airth does this mean, mother?" he
gasped. .....
Sarah. She led the way into the har-
ness room and shut the door. Now,
father" said she, you needn't be
scared. I ain't crazy. There amt
nothin' to be upset over. But we've
come here to live, an we're goin' to
live here. We've got Jest as good a
right here as new horses an cows. The
house want At for us to live in any
longer, an I made UP my mind /
want goin' to stay there. I've done
my duty by you forty year, an I'm
goin' to do It now; but I'm goin' to
live here. You've got to put In some
windows and partitions; an you'll
have to buy some furniture"
why, mother!" the old man gasp
ed.
you'd better take your coat off an
get washed-there's the wash basin
an then wen have supper"
why mother!"
Sammy went past the window, lead
ing the new horse to the old barn. The
old man saw him and shook his head
speechlessly. He tried to take on his
coat, but his arms seemed to lack the
power. HIS wife helped him. She
poured some water into the tin basin
and put in a piece OF soap. Sne got
the comb and brush and smoothed his
thin gray hair after he had washed.
Then she put the beans, hot bread and
tea on the table. Sammy came In and
the family drew up. Adoniram sat
looking dazedly at his plate and they
waited.
"Ain't you goin' to ask a blesin,
father" said Sarah.
And the old man bent his head and
mumbled.
All through the meal he stopped eat
ing at intervals and stared furtively
at his wife; but he ate we'll. The home
food tasted good to him and his old
frame was to sturdily healthy to be
affected by his mind. But after supper
he went out and sat down on the step
of the smaller door at the right OF the
barn, through which he had meant his
which Sarah designed for her front
lOuSt uOOiy oiio iiS ASSAASN @~>~
his hands.
After the supper dishes were cleared
away and the milk pans washed, Sarah
went out to him. The twilight was
deepening. There was clear green
glow in the sky. Before them stretched
the smooth level Of field; In the dis
tance was q cluster Of hay stacks, ike
the huts Of a village; the air was very
cool and calm and sweet. The land.
scape might have been an ideal one or
peace.
sarah bent over and touched her
husband on one Of his thin sineWy
shoulders. "Father!'
The old mans shoulders heaved; ne
was weeping.
why don't do 80, father" said
Sarah.
"pll-put up the partitions an
everything you-want, mother.
Sarah put her apron up to her race;
she was overcome by her own tri-
umph.
Adoniram was like fortress whose
walls had no active resistance, ana
went down the instant the right be-
sieg,ng tools were used. why moth
er," he said. hoarsely, Il hadn't no
idea you was so set ont as all this
comes to-"
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