Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-01-19

W AuSiS'
During the long blessing" invoked
by the head of the house, after they
were all seated, Meely's was the only
head unbowed. The expression of her
face (while fulsome words OF graft
tude were directed to the throne Of
God) suggested anything but thank
fulness as she surveyed the platter OF
sausage floating In lake of grease
the burnt potatoes. the pale, heavy
pie.
At the "Amen" she rose at once,
went to a cupboard and brought back
to the table a fresh napkin for her
self.
The temporary housekeeper spoke
up in self-defense against the implied
criticism of this gesture on Meely's
part. "Well, If I did forget your
napkin again, I must say I wasn't
raised to eat so hoggish myself that
I need a napkin to my meals"
"You've got no need, Aunt Rosy"
her brother-in-law mildly admonished
her. ito speak so unpolite. Us we all
know" he added as they all began to
help themselves, each one for himself,
as was their custom, that Nicely was
raised more refined than u.s."
swell. I wouldn't 60 so far as to
say that, Mister" Aunt Rosy resent
fully objected. ITO call myself COM
mon vet toward what she is! amt
belittlin' myself that much! I cert'nly
consider myself as good as other
ones: and so I likewise consider
your poor, sweet, little wife, Sam
Schwencktcn! If she'd heerd you'd
compared her to this here stranger
and saved she was common toward
what this here stranger is"
Zach, Aunt Rosy, be peaceable."
Mr.. Schwenckton checked this whin-
ing TRADE. Nicely amt ezackly
stranger to us, even If we didn't get
acquainted with her till here this fall.
You can't call a cousin a stranger
yet"
'You amt got no proof she's your
cousin. She don't lock like as If she's
your cousin. Nor act or speak
like none of your cousins I ever met
up with"
eyes, we'll, you never met up with
none of the Berks County Schwenck-
tons. They're different, too, again
from US Schwencktons here in Dau-
phin county. They're better educated
that way and more refined. Nicely"
he addressed their boarder, his tone
anxious, his eyes worried, chow do
you think my Susie is today?"
"She can't get better so long as
you keep her room dark and don't air
it. Mr.. Schwenckton. Air and light
are all she needs to get WELL"
Eyes, well, but I don't hold with
them doctors that says it's unsanitari.
UNI to keep the windahs shut and the
room dark when you're SICK" Mr..
Schwenckton pronounced conclusive.
ly-and from conclusion once
reached, position once taken, the
power did not exist that could move
Sam SchwencktOn.
He drew a deep sigh. II did hope
Susie was gettin' better for me after
her lookin' so bright yesterday"
"The reason she was so much
brighter and better yesterday" said
Nicely, twas because when Aunt Rosy
was taking nap, covered Susie and
the baby with blankets and aired the
room! Threw open all the doors and
windows and left them open for an
hour! Then washed Susie and
changed her nightgown and the bed
linen. She and the baby slept after
that for four hours! That's why she
was better yesterday"
Mr.. Schwenckton looked sternly
disappearing. "You hadn't ought to
heist windahs where persons layin'
sickw he 'reaffirmed, and Aunt Rosy
added her Mortified prophecy: "Yes,
soon you'll have another wife dead on
you, Mister, with such goings-on as
soon as my back is turned around be-
hind me oncet!"
"Susie would be up and about in q
week If you kept her room aired and
clean," Nicely imperturbably affirmed.
"and the baby, too, would pick up.
There's nothing the matter with the
baby except that it's not properly
taken care of, Mr. Schwenckton."
eyes, well, but when a body's sick.
or for babies" Mr.. Schwenckton re.
peated, 1--WE don't hold to openin' win.
dahs on EN-"
''Susie's bed was plenty clean as 1t
was!" declared Rosy. ut didn't need
changin' till another week yet. 1t
makes me too much work, such be-
haviors does! And Susie's too sick
fur Nicely to take and wash herl Of
all-things! Washin' a person when
they're sick yetP'
Meely's reception Of this criticism
was as impersonal as though it were
being directed toward anyone but her.
SELF Her whole attitude to this fam.
lily, her very presence here, seemed
tentative, experimental When she
was not regarding them with wide
eyed wonder and curiosity, her face
was expressing suppressed amusement
or pity, or impotence; sometimes be-
wilderment; sometimes the interested