The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-12

You are goin' out. then. spite o
what Slidy' the deacon inquired
sternly.
"Did you really think. father. that ]
would sleep under your roof after you
had turned my sister out into the
snow to lodge with whoever might
take her in-my seventeen-year-old
sister that your wife left to my care;
my little sister. the very light of my
life?"
waitstilrz voice trembled a tritle, but
otherwise che was quite calm and free
from heroics Of any sort.
The deacon looked up in surprise.
81 guess you're kind o. hystericky." he
said. "Set down-set down an talk
things over | amt got nothin' agin
you. an rnean to treat you right. Set
down"
The old man was decidedly nervous
and intended to keep his temper until
there was a safer chance TO let 1t tiy.
waitstill sat down. There's moth
ing to talk over" she said. Il have
done all that promised my stepmoth-
er the night she died. and now | am
going. II there's duty owed between
daughter and father ii ought to work
both ways. consider that ! have
done my share. and now ! intend to
seek happiness for myself. i have new
er had any. and am starving for it,"
AN you'd leave me TO git on the
hot
you:" burst out the deacon. still trying
to hold down his growing passion.
"You gave me my life. and I'm thank
full to you for that. but you've given
me little since father"
"Hafn't fed an clothed you?"
"No more than have fed and cloth
ed you. You've provided the raw food.
and I've cooked and served ii. You've
bought cloth. and | have made shirts
and overalls and coats for you and
knitted your socks and comforters and
mittens. Not only have | toiled and
saved and scrimped away my girlhood
as you babe me. but I've earned for
you. Who made the butter and took
care OF the hens and dried the apples
and drew in the rugs? Who raised
and ground the peppers for sale and
tended the geese that you might sell
the feathers? No. father. don't con
slider that I'm in your debt"
Deacon Foxwell Baxter was com
pletely nonplused for the first time in
his life He had never allowed "ar.
gyfyin'" In his household. and there
had never been clash of wills before
this when he had not come off swiftly
and brutality triumphant This situa-
ton was complicated by the fact that
he did not dare to apply the brakes as
usual since there were more issues in
volved than ever before. He felt too
stunned to deal properly with this
of his wrath upon the other one and
being. In consequence, somewhat en-
feebed. 1t was always easy enough
to cope with Patty. for her imperti-
nence evoked such rage that the argu-
ment took care of itself but this grave
There she sat composedly on the edge
of her wooden chair her head lifted
high, her color coming and going. her
eyes shining steadily like fixed stars:
there she sat. calmly announcing her
Intention of leaving her father TO shift
for himself Yet the skies seemed to
have no thought OF falling. He felt
that he must make another effort TO as
sert his authority.
Now. you take off your coat" he
said. the pipe In his hand trembling as
be stirred neryously In his chair. You
take your coat right of an set down
to the supper table same as usual. do
you hear? Eat your victuals an then
go 10 your bed an git over this crazy
at that Patience has started workin'
In you. No more nonsense now! Do
as ! tell you!'
81 have made up my mind. father.
and it's no use arguing. All who try
to live with you fail sooner or later
You have had four children. father
one boy ran away; the other did not
mind being drowned, fear. since life
was so hard at home. You have just
turned the third child out for a sin Of
deceit and disobedience she would new
er have committed-for her nature Is
as clear as crystal-if you had ever
loved her or considered her happiness.
So | have done with you. unless In
your old age God should bring you TO
such pass that no one else will come
TO your assistance; then I'd see some
how that you were cared for and nurs-
ed and made comfortable. You are not
an old man; you are strong and healthy.
and you have plenty OF money TO get
a good housekeeper. l should decide
differently perhaps II all this were not
true"