The Topeka state journal., 1921-11-07
Eoening Story
A ThOrObred.
By MARTHA NC. WILLIAMS.

reached the point OF explosion. But
she had been dead ten years-and
some minds have sieyes instead of
memories. He faced his daughter
across an untidy breakfast table. say
ing with something betwixt a whine
and a sneer: Things must change
else you mean to go away. Where to
I'd like to know? No money to speak
Mistaken" Martina shot back.
tI can cook if I have things fit to cook
and people pay money
You, my daughter, a servant"
the father broke in. why, if you
were to try it I'd clap you in an in
sane ward"
II shall belong there if I have to
stand this much longer" the girl in
turn interrupted stormily. IF there
was any real reason, and real need of
it all, it wouldn't be SO hard. You
have money for anything she may
want or you yourself, but not cent
to put water in the kitchen even, or
paint the house, or build a porch and
screen it out in front SO the door can
be open this blistering summer
weather. I tell you I won't stand it,
Even If I am all the child you've
got, you treat me like q. dog. 1 work
day in and day out for clothes [ hate
and victuals that nearly choke me-
She likes them''-vicious emphasis on
the pIOnOuH l1iQVGd Sl4G 4ANOo PAONNS
well everything 1 hate. And every
person. That is the worst of it l
shaved three days to feed and wait on
her sewing circle, and Mrs. President
Morley called me heathen-
mo wonder, when you said to her
you hated church and churchgoing,
Squire FalIon broken in. "Oh, heard
all about it. Your mother was so
ashamed she couldn't sleep
MY mother is in heaven" Martina
cried, choking back a sob, where 1
hope she sees and knows everything.
I do hate churches and ministers be-
cause they vulgarize God, being mainly
SO vulgar themselves. They make Him
in their own image-greedy, vain, re
Vengeful-nOt all love and kindness
and compassion
'Hey! Heyi I won't hear such
sacrilege," from Squire Fallon.
''It seems you had rather live it,
Martina flung back. She was past
prudence. indeed past aIuFost all hu-
man feeling. what does the Bible
say about he that provideth not for
his own household? You provide ac-
cording to your wife's orders with no
thought for your own flesh and blood. ,"
shut up! Go upstairs and stay
there till you come to your senes,
the father said stonily.
Martina half turned, answering: "If
go it will be for the last time
shall come down again as quickly as
I can and leave you~to your wlfe's
cooking"
shoulders-as she writhed free voice
from the hall called cheerily: ''Halloo
the house! Everybody gone or still
asleep? Here's a hungry tramp wants
breakfast if you please
"By jollys! Amos Kent!" the squire
calculated helplessIy. Marty. be a
good child-fix things nice for him"
"On coadiionn' Martina said, firm
: ''Whatg,' the father. asked hushedIy
'"That hereafter 1 shall be allowed
to fix things nice for myself-and all
the time
Anything. Anything! I'll go show
Amos where to wash his face" the
squire said still hushedly, shambling
away as he spoke. Martina called
after him in her clearest voice:
Breakfast in an hour-no less-if
you want it good
She had knack, facility. housewifely
pride and aptitude. Almost magically
she changed things-flung windows
wide, swept all the dingy furnishings
out of sight, laid the table daintily
with the best in the house, then set
about the cooking with a zest wholly
new. In result Amos Kent esquire
vowed some two hours later that he
had never before eaten food so nearly
ambrosial. In result subsidiary, Mar
tina found herself for the fortnight
following mistress of the household
with none to challenge her authority
For if Squire Fallon was well to do,
young Kent was SO much more than
that, the older man looked up to him
as a superior being. Amos it was
who had furnished capital for the
squire's trading in cattle, in lands and
timber, which was the real root of his
AF1r TToI
slatternIy, INDUCED a wild hope of
catching Amos for her niece Cath
crime Gray.
Hence honey washed in morning
dew is not more delectable than the
humor she showed her guest, and
even her family actually going so far
as to praise Martina's cooking to the
skies. A good child in many ways if
only she wasn't so irreligious, sighed
her step-mother privately in Kents
ear.
He laughed at her sighings. 'T call
Marty a pattern girl" he said. ''Why
don't you dress her better? Shed be
mighty near a beauty if she had half
a chance"
Gall and wormwood would have
been sweet compared to that but it
happened that Squire FalIon over
heard. Next day Marty went shop
ping with an astounding sum in cash.
She came home with two or three
very simple new frocks and never a
cent in her purse. She had spent with
both hands for things long and hope
lessly desired household betterment
'I couldn't bring half got" she ex-
planned. 1.-THE new range, wall paper.
linoleum and paint for the house will
come out tomorrow No, didn't pay
cash for everything. They wouldn't let
me, said your credit was too good not
to stretch 1t while they had the
chance. They're going to send esti-
mates, too, on a bathroom, a porch
and a ram to bring in the spring wa
ter. You know you promised I might
have whatever wanted"
Squire Fallon gasped, but Amos
Kent laughed gayly. asking: How
can I begune you into promising me
what I want. sQuire?"
"H-h! Haven't ye always found
me mighty easy man to trade with?"
the squire returned smiling. Amos
nodded. Yes. about ordinary affairs,
but this is different. I'm in a regular