Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-01-26

was enough. After that one they never
disObeyed to Pop no more. Oncet was
enough to learn 'em. Except Sammy.
On account of Aunt Rosy's bein' here.
Sammy's had his second one. The
reason Nettie and Jakey run on was
that Pop was a-goin' to whip 'em
II they didn't mind to Aunt Rosy, and
as big-grOwed as what they are yet,
they didn't want to take 1t off Of him.
so they run off"
"But how have you escaped. Lizzie?"
II don't know-I never seemed to do
nothin' to get a whippin' for. But ]
know Aunt Rosy'll make him whip me
tonight! I have so afraid, Nicely! I'd
run off to Gramma's like Nettie done
If 1t wasn't dark night and ten miles
away"
"It's a wonder your father doesn't
force Nettie to come home. He did
try to. didn't he?"
"Yes but Gramma she told Pop he
darsen't make Nettie come home till
Aunt Rosy's away already. Till Susie's
well and Aunt Rosy goes. then Net.
tie she'll come home. But mind you
what she toll Pop yeti"
"What?"
"She toll Pop If he tried to whip her
fur runnin' off, she'd run Off where he
couldn't find her, like Jakey done.
Pop he's awful downhearted about
Jakey. He don't show 1t much; but
he is"
1t was not until after Sammy had
finished his supper and the table was
cleared and the last dish washed and
put away In the cupboard, that Mr..
Schwenckton, followed by Aunt Rosy,
returned to the kitchen.
Lizzie, with a faint hope of saving
herself, spoke to him ingratiatingly,
though she was white with fear of
him. "See, Pop, how I got all the
work done-all the dishes and pans"
"Yes, we'll, but" Aunt Rosy broke
in, "look at your diapers still layin-"
Mr.. Schwenckton laid his arm around
Lizzie's thin shoulders, which shrank
away from his touch, for she did not
know whether it meant a caress or
whether he was about to lead her
away for punishment.
Nicely, fearing the latter (for she
had been q witness to Sammy'S chaS-
tisement a week ago) could not re-
strain herself, unwise as she felt her
interference might be. "Mr Schwenck-
ton, this woman doesn't tell you the
truth !" she said breathlessly. "Liz.
zie's an obedient, willing. hard-work.
ing child land if Aunt Rosy can't get
on with her, that's her fault and not
Lizzie's. And, Mr.. Schwenckton, it's
a crime to put a little frail girl like
Lizzie to such heavy work as wash
ing sheets and diapers! You don't
know, do you. that this little girl
stands at the washtub several hours
every day? Her back will be strained |!
I ought to have told you before, but
hated to interfere. Now, Mr.
Schwenckton, you've got to put stop
to It! You must, you must this
woman's devil"
"Tut, tut !" Mr.. Schwenckton raised
his hand in protest against such I'm.
seemly language on the lips of girl ;
and Aunt Rosy's look Of deadly spite
at Meely's accusation turned into a
broad smirk Of satisfaction. didn't
tell you Sam. how she's gettin' Liz
zie spoilt fur you? Learnin' her to
swear and curse (you heard her call
me a devil yetD and to disrespec' me
and you"
AUNT Rosy" Mr.. Schwenckton
spoke in quietly, II didn't speak moth.
in to you upstairs, for the reason
didn't want to get my Susie stirred
up. But I'm sayin' to you now that
I pay you to do the work here and
you don't do it. You try to put it off
on my little Children. And what they
don't do don't get done. You drove
off my Nettie and Jakey and now you
abuse Sammy and Lizzie If it wasn't
that Susie wants you here. I'd get an
other housekeeper; for no perfeck
stranger could do worse'n what you
do! So if there's any more trouble and
If things amt kept cleaner round here.
I will send you packin'. now mind
I'm tellin' you!"
Aunt Rosy, with look of cold, con-
csrirated resentment at Npelv turnod