The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-11-26

Some years ago there lived on q
little farm in southern MINES ,ta,
an elderly couple known locally as
Aunt aud Uncle Matt. They had
passed through half century IF
storm and trial ON their little place,
seeing the community about them
grow FROM pioneer outpost to one
of the most prosperous rural districts
IN the state.
They lived not all together alone,
for they had with them one of their
gran,ls"ns. d lad of 9 or 10 years,
aud a help
The term in this case is miss lead
ing, for lille was rather more to
the family than is generally meant,
even by the lax term help" She
was a true daughter of that hardy.
race which has done so much for
the development, aud up building of
our great northwest; an Amazon in
stature. aud a wholesome blond
ruggedness that stood her IN good
stead when compared with the
softer charms of her more delicate
American sisters. She was gent
al, ambitious soul. aud possessed of
both the will aud the ability to take
her turn in the harvest fields along
side any man, and then prepare and
serve up as appetizing supper as
hungry harvest hand could desire.
Such attributes were not without
fame in the community, and Uncle
aud Aunt Matt stood IN some little
awe of their efficient help" So
much so, indeed, that Tillie was
virtually lord of The manor, though
Uncle Matt was want to proclaim
loudly that he wore the pants" in
his house.
Tillle was very popular among the
rural SWANS. though it was fact
that she had always treated them all
impartiallv. refusing each in his
regular turn. This, with one ex.
ception.
Spence Brownell owned and oper-
ated a quarter section of land next
TO the Matt homestead. Yet Spence
had never proposed 10 Title. giving
it as his firm belief that oomans
amt no good to a man. no how"
However, it must be said in Spence
behalf that be had never seen Iillie
il action III the hay. field, nor tested
the delights of her cooking.
The fall was unusually late, but
along to wards Thanksgiving threats
of snow began to appear. Uncle
Matt was land up with bad case of
rheumatism. and his twelve acre
piece OF Indian corn was yet un-
husked. Aunt Matt suggested that
some of the nelehboring young men
he called Oh to help get in the corn
before 1t was too late, but Uncle
Matt emphatically vetoed the sug-
gestion, perhaps hy way of demon
stratiug who wore the biturca!ed
garments whereabouts.
Il aIu't got 80 near the grave |
has to call on the nelgI'bors to run
my farm yet, Id have you know.
kin git in that corn my ownself
without any help from these young
whlppersuappers. rom"rry LII show
ye!'' he exclaimed exasperate'lly.
But on the morrow the chill of
tie crisp November air drove him
lluping to the sheler of the kitchen
range; aud the day after, Dex. one
Ut the farms two only horses Was
found down III his stall with had
ly strained shoulder, So the old man
was saved from further attempts at
husklmg f"r the time being.
Thanksgiving week opened with
a furry of snow. and a norlheas,t rly
wind that eff-ctually confined the
old man to the house. yet still he
would not consent to have help call
ed III to get in the corn. Even ii
bis rheumatic old legs could hardly
carry him from his bed to his arm,
CHAIR, they were still adorned by the
trousers of authority.
Aunt Matt sought out Title to
share her troubles with.
You can't bulge him an inch
when be gets sot," she bewailed.
An the whole field will be spoiled
10y snow for aDother week, | know"
Oats alright" conforted Tillie.
Aye fax it. You yust wait"
According with this, assurance,
early the next morning Tlllie re-.
paired to the barn. where little
jimmie was doing up the chores.
How about We skoll hitch up das
wagon today?" she greeted the boy.
But we can't, Tillle, Dex can
hardly walk. Why ] just had to
..rr0 hin, hio uotor ovon ard hio