Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-24

on everything he did an not lowing
him to run wild on ideas l didn't ap-
prove of, like a full acre in new taters
an big patches he's, OF snaps an onions th0ns
like that. I never did care to eat
cantaloupe melons nohow If only
Marcus would sell up the carrots an
parsnips an parsley 'twould make a
Mebbe he's a good grower but a poor
seller Some is that way"
She shut the drawer with something
very like a groan, put some potatoes
into the oven, to be baking for dinner
and some beans in kettle of water on
the stove for the preliminary softening
that goes before baking and then went
out.
The big garden. with it's luxuriant
patches and lines of thrifty green, and
the farm fields beyond, looked good to
the one who had lived there all her
life. Moisture gathered in Mahaly's
eyes Hard If it has to CO." she
thought. But pa left mortgage on
the place, an now I'll have to put on
another to pay Marcus the pretty near
two years I owe him. An they do say
it's two mortgages an out. I'll pay Off
Marcus an let him go-though that'll
mean sellin' the old horse an COW an
givin' up the sass sellin', for couldn't
manage everything by myself I'll just
keep on with the chickens an eggs, an
try to sell few strawb'ries, an'-an'
that makes me think I'd better pick
some for Marcus dinner, he likes 'em
so. do hate to let Marcus go, though >
her thoughts went on, after she had
squatted down in the strawberry bed.
Him an me went to school together.
an he worked for me three whole years.
An though he never speaks word OF
advice these days, nor contradicts any
thing 1 do or say, he's steady an re-
liable an a great help. An'-an' he's
got over the old foolishness that rose
between u.s."
Dinner always was timed to the COM
ing home of Marcus from his peddling.
But he had arrived and the old horse
had to be stabbed and fed Marcus
stopped and looked into the kitchen.
MahaIy was not there. but he could
smell something burning and he went
inside. The water had boiled from the
open the oven door to cool the air about
the potatoes. which seemed to be done.
After that he went through several
rooms and finally outside. anxious
about Mahaly. Could she be sick?
She was still crouching over the
At sight of her the anxiety of Mar
Gus face gave place to the grim reso
luton that had been there when he
came home. "Mahaly." he said abrupt
to quit. No use putin you in any
deeper. It's all been lose out, for
which I'm sorry" He waited a few
minutes. but she made no answer. Then
he went on. more sharply. An now
that I've quit, Mahaly, I'm goin' to have
little say. You're considerable of
'pinionated woman, an you sort Of
hedged my ideas from the first. Then
two years ago you gave it to me fiat
that you didn't want any more of my
advice or crazy notions, an that you'd
run things in your own safe way. 1
told you all right that I wouldn't give
you another word of advice so long
as 1 was your hired man.. An 1 amt.
Since then things have been run by
Deborah Brooks an Alzady Tucker,
what we want to sell. but what people
want to buy. Carrots an parsley an
such things are all right, just few
punches to use in soups, mebbe- But
you put in regular fields of 'em, an
kept me back to little patches of taters
an things of real worth that would
sell in quantity to everybody. 1 did
the best 1 could with 'em. but no man
in the world can sell what people don't
want an keep on sellin' it,"
He waited again. But still she did
not speak. He drew nearer. then. with
utter CONSERVATION: why. Mahaly
Briggs! Cryin'! Wh-what's the matter
said'"
NO. II was cryin' long fore you
got back. Marcus. All foo-foolishness.
but I got to thinkin'. Do you really
b'lieve the place could be made to pay
In your way?'
II know it could" confidently; pay
big, Just like I told you first. I know
how to grow things, an what people
want to buy, an that's about all--or
no, I've got some knack in persuadin'
EN- to buy, 1 think"
will you take hold of the garden
sass ag'in. an run 1t your own way.
to pay?"
Marcus looked down at her specula-
lively Il don't know" he answered.
ndecidedIy-'not unless you agree to
two things first"
II will-to anything thatll save the
farm"
"Well, then, first your pa did a
great thing for me, takin' me in as
a hoy. He was the best friend I ever
had Now I've been savin' all my life.
an when 1 was at the truck farm 1
got extra good pay-twice what I've
been askin' you. I have enough to
clear off the mortgage. an In memory
of your pa 1 want it to go that way.
Drivin' out I decided bout 1t. I'm
a big, husky fellow. with no particular
need for money"
But II couldn't take"
Its the second condition. though,
that's the real one I'd stay on. You
know why I left the other job?"
Mahaly didn't answer except for an
added color in her face. ut was to be
near. you after your father died." Mar
Gus went on. AN I sort of limited
what I'd like. but you DIDN'T seem to
tas G i sla always been SEQ = Of men,