The All-Story, March 1914 — page 173: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

646 THE Sstrance, just enough to prove that he really was a sporting character. When it was all settled conversation was di- verted into a discussion of the grange picnic, which was always held just be- fore haying began. Sam, with half his mind on the conversation of the young folks, was revolving with the other half the sin- gular threats Ike Jackson had ad- vanced during the stormy interview of the afternoon, and at last decided to lay his perplexities before his wite. Her matter-of-fact common sense had often cleared his problems for him. Accordingly, he told her of the visit from Ike Jackson. “He said Dr. Foster's mare had told him to get the parson, did he?” asked Huldah, beginning in her prac- tical way at the beginning. “Vhat’s what he said, and the par- son didn’t seem at all surprised, either.” “The little har!” exclaimed Mrs. Tupper. “I don't see how Uncle Peter can bear to have him round. even if he does get four dollars a month for his keep. And Mrs. Jack- son's crazy about him. She says he is so gentlemanly.” “Then you don’t think, Huldah, that the mare sent for the parson? ” “AWVhat foolishness, Sam! How could Necessity send for the parson? Next thing you know Ike will be tell- ing round that he got a letter from her.”’ “But Bucyrus talked, too.” Sam argued. *T do believe you're getting soften- ing of the brain, Sam Tupper.” de- clared his wife. “To think ot you. a taxpayer, hearing noises like that! I don’t know what’s coming over you.” “And after Ike said I would have bad luck all those other things hap- pened to once,’ Sam persisted. “They would have happened. any- way. What could Ike Jackson have to do with the chimney catching fire or you falling off the roof? Certainly, he wasn’t responsible for the calf. I ALL-STORY ALAGAZINE. dont say but what he might have thrown the cat down the well and poisoned Shep. for he’s quite capable of it. But those other things just hap- pened.” “Then you dont believe—” Sam began. “T don't believe anything but that Ike’s a real bad boy and would make all the trouble he could. But he never acted more than half-witted to me,” Huldah declared with conviction. “And half-witted people can’t be more than half as mean as people that have all their faculties, try they ever so hard. Why, who's that?” The figure of a woman was enter- ing the front gate, and by her walk sam and Huldah determined before she was half-way across the yard that it was Mrs. Jackson coming to pay an evening call. “TH just run in the house and change into my other dress,” said Huldah hurriedlv. ‘If she sees me sitting out here in iy calico she will tell everybody how slovenly I'm get- ting since I married you, Sam.” Mrs. Jackson took the chair Sam offered, and began to fan herself vig- orously. She had been growing’ fat since her reunion with Uncle Peter after the latter's long absence in for- eign parts, and with added weight was troubled with shortness of breath. She had had time only to pass the customary remarks on the weather before Huldah reappeared. “Ike and me just thought we would run in a few minutes. Huldah,”’ Mrs. Jackson announced. ‘I was asked to tea over to the Bellowses, and Ike came aiter me. He's so attentive, the little dear!” “But he isn't with you now, Mrs. Jackson,” said Sam. looking hastily around. “No, he’s just at the bashful age now, Sam, and he wouldn't come up. I wouldn't wonder if you found him round in the side yard playing with the cats. Seems though I never knew a boy so fond of catsotniebSoks.corn