The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-11-27
u.
Deacon 4axter's Wives.

TATAITSTILL frowned. but did
WV not interfere further with
Patty's Incorporate speech.
She knew that she was sim
ply serving as an escape valve and
that after the steam was 'let OF" she
would be more rational.
"Of course we are motherless," con-
tinued Patty w%istfully. but poor Ivory
Is worse than motherless."
mo. not worse, Patty" said Wait
still. taking the bread board and NOV
ing toward the closet. "Ivory loves
his mother, and she loves him with all
the mind she has left. She has the
best blood Of New England flowing in
her veins. and I suppose 1t was a great
comedown for her to marry Aaron
Boynton. clever and gifted though he
was Now Ivory has to protect her
poor, daft. innocent c~reature-and hide
her away from the gossip of the VII
lage. he is surely the best Of sons.
Ivory B%oynton."
"She is a terrible care for him and
like to spoil his life." said Patty.
There are cares that swell the heart
and make 1t bigger and warmer. Patty.
just as there are cares that shrivel 1t
and leave 1t tired and cold. Love light
ems Ivory's Affections. but that Is
something you and 1 have to do With
out, so It seems"
Il suppose little Rodman is some
comfort to the Boyntons. ven II he is
only ten?" Patty suggested.
mo doubt. He's a good little fel-
low. and, though it's rather hard for
Ivory to be burdened for these last five
years with the support Of a child
who's no nearer kin than a cousin.
still he's Of use. ninding Mrs. Boyn-
ton and the house when lvory's away.
The sc~hoolteacher says he Is wonder
full at his books and likely to be a
great credit to the Boyntons some day
or other
you've forgot to name our one great
blessing. Waity. and l believe, any
way. you're talking to keep my mind
OF the earrings"
You mean we've each other? No,
Patty. l never forget that. day or
night. IT'S that makes me willing to
bear any burden father chooses to put
upon us. Now the bread is set, but l
don't believe I have the courage to put
q needle into your tender flesh, Patty.
l really don't"
Nonsense! I've got the waxed silk
all ready and chosen the right sized
needle. and I'll promise not to jump
or screech more than l can help. Well
make a tiny lead pencil dot right in the
middle Of the lobe, then you place the
needle on it. shut your eyes and jab
hard! expect to faint. but when l
come to- we can decide which Of us
will pull the needle through to the
other side. Probably 1t will be you.
I'm such u coward. IL 1t hurts dread
fully Ill have only One pierced today
and take the other tomorrow. and If 1t
hurts very dreadfully perhaps I'll go
through life With one earring. Aunt
Abby Cole will say it's just odd enough
to suit me"
you'll never go through life with
one tongue at the rate you s 1t now"
chided Waitstill. "for 1t will never last
you. Come. we'll take the workbasket
and go put in the barn where no one
will see or hear u.s."
"Goody. goody! Come along!" and
Patty clapped her hands in triumph.
"Have you got the pencil and the
needle and the waxed silk? Then
bring the camphor bottle to revive me.
and the coral pendants. too. just to
give me courage. Hurry up! It's 10
o'clock. l was born at sunrise. 80 I'm
going on eighteen and can't waste
any timer
=
y Foxwell Baxter was ordinarily called
-"Old Foxy" by the boys of the district
and also, it is to be feared. by the men
gathered for evening conference at the
various taverns. or at one Of the rival
village stores.
He had q small farm of fifteen or
twenty acres, with a pasture. a wood
lot and a bayfield,. but the principal
source of his income came from trad
ing. His sign bore the usual legend.
west India Goods and Groceries,"
and probably the most profitable ar
ticles in his stock were rum. mo-
lasses. sugar and tobacco. but there
were chests Of rice. tea. coffee and
spices, barrels of pork in brine. as well
as piles Of cotton and wooden cloth
on the shelves above the counter. His
shop window. seldom busted or set In
order. held a few clay pipes. some
glass jars of peppermint or sassafras
lozenges. black licorice. stick candy
and sugar gooseberries. These dain-
ties we're seldom renewed. for 1t was
only a very bold child or one with an
ungovernable appetite for sweets who
would have spent his penny at Foxy
Baxter's store.
He was thought q sharp and shrewd
trader. but his. honesty was never cues