The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, May 05, 1908, Image 6

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A WILL AN BY MRS. ETH1 The Story of a .Benjamin Drakvs was a poor illitor- ( ate fanner, living twenty-live miles < from the city of A1 . At the ma- i ture age of thirty-eight he had mar- < vied a gentle browneyetf girl who was generally considered alhovo him dn < station, hut who loved him devotedly, i lie almost worshipped her. For five < years they had lived happily together, working hard to pay for their little i farm and to build a nice white cottage upon it. Then, just as they ( were beginning to enjov the fruits of ( the ir united labors, the gentle spirit L ot the taithiul wife took its ever- j Ijisf.'.ii: t'/.ch:. lo.iving two little girls j acoe. two years. A'.'v. '.u'v wish had been that I diiv'if.^s n.i^ht bo educated, and t:ie broken hearted father promised s that it spared him to watch over them, it should be (Tone. Karnior / Drake's maiden sister, Kllen, made > her home with him and took charge of the little girls until she married Captain Overton from the city, which "important, event took placc about the !' time Paulina was twelvo and Minnie ten years of age. Then it became necessary to have a ( governess for the little girls for thvi farmer could not be induced, to send them to the district schools. lie could not bear I he, t hought of being } separated from them a whole day, and 1 looked forward with inexpressible ,v pain to the time when it, would be- ! come positively necessary to send them away to school, in order that ' their education might be completed. lb- never once thought of seeking another companion. His whole heart had been given to the. mother of his children and was buried in her grave, | He tried to bear his grief with quiet resignation and christian fortitude, knowing thai in that "sweet bevond he would never be again sep- 1 a rated from his Annie; but sometimes when he would look upon the flowers \ that, had been hers, blooming so pro- ( i'usely and permeating the atruos- j phere with fragrant perfume, all unmindful of the painful fact that the ' dear hands that had planted and cared for them were forever stilled, his ' great heart would almost break. In awe he would wonder if she still 1 watched over her flowers, and then ( came the assurance that if such ' could be, she surely watched over him and her motherless little ones, v too. 1 At such times he would cry out in 1 uncontrollable anguish: "Oh? why was she took from me7 Seems like I'll never gel over it or used to her ' bein' gone. I miss her all (lie time 7 and every where! (Jod bless her mem- . 'rv! She wanted nve to edicate her babies an' I'll do it. But I never j, did see no use of irals havin' so much j, book larnin'. Now if they had ha' been boys ," here he would break ' off as if ashamed, a determined look j would creep into his face and his hands would clench. Then looking j with tear dimmed eyes to the heavens ahuve he would whisper: "Annie, darlin.' while von was Twin' I wa? happy in doin' all you de>ired ? ! me. an" now Ilia! your purty i t eyes are elo>ed forever, my ureatesi pleasure i> in doin' w hat I know you L, would like, an' in tryin' lo live so as I | to meet you over \ onder! " 1 , Karniew I h ake loved both his s daughters devotedly, but it was easy to see that Paulina, who had inherited M the beautiful, fun-loving brown eyes, ] brown curls, pearly teeth and fair ], complcixon of her mother, was his favorite. s Old black Deb, I lie cook, called her u a "pickle." She was brimming over with life and merriment; wov.Jit mo n thc> cat's feel in paper, fasten a tin y can to the dog's tail, dress up in M Deb's best suit and imitate her "sanctified Sunda v-^>-to-nneel inir," I walk or do almost arvlhing for fun. | h Deb, would often throw up her Tat I' black hands in horror, roll Tin eves terribly and break out in prophetic a lamentations: s, "Marse Ben, 1 do 'clare 'fore my T: Lawd an' Maker. 1 ncbor is seen sicb h a gal. She got mo' dehiltry 'bout a her den a shore nulY boy orler had. Do hawd a set tin' on his judgment a throne knows T'st> been prayin' fur n (Tat ventersome chile eber since her p ma went to lichen an' left her down it here in dis troublesome worl'- -bul f, 'taint no use?she gwine tcr git her h nake broke shore or come lo some bad end!" n On account of her roguish, fun- li lovimr. lom-bov nature, Paulina's si father bestowed upon her the soubri- (I quel of "Boy," and "Boy" sho was tl \ ID A WAY. EL THOMAS. * Girl's Courage doomed to bo called ever after. How often had the heart of farmer Drake stood still with fear, as ho spied Boy on th0 back of a wild unbroken colt, her eyes sparkling with excitement [jheeks glowing and curls flying, dashing widly over the fields and meadnvs, safely leaping fences, hedges Hid ditches, fearing nothing, but darng everything! She would climb to the top of the allcst cherry or mulberry trees, or >11 the slippery hay now in quest of lewly laid eggs "to make dearest >apa an omlct." Jn vain did Aunt )eb. prophesy: ".Miss Hoy shore gwine tor git kilt, jiiwd knows!" In vain did her 1'athr beg and remonstrate, coax and peruade: "My darlin' Boy, do be careful! )|i, if you should catch your death cause 1 didn't make you behave it vould jest kill me!" At such times lioy would wind her inns around his neck, kiss the anxious ook from the care-worn face and in ler matchless, inimitablo and irresisably winning way, would begin her lefense, punctuating every sentence vith loving caresses: "My dearest papa, haven't I al vays been careful to hit the ground 11 a soft place when a tumble was absolutely unavoidable? It must bo hat. 1 am watched over and protected >y a special Providence, for you onow, dear, that 1 have never been seriously iiurt. And, oh, I do have ;iu*h fun. 1 really can't see to save uy lile how sister can be so quiet mil dignified. II would simply make lie go luny to even try il." Then augliiug: "And Ihcn, papa, here's niother thing you must consider? 'on call me 'Boy' and I feel compelI'd on principle, to do honor to the lame. T wouldn't disobey you for inylhiiig, but whatever else you do, lou' forbid my riding Fly. lie and T inderstand each other perfectly and am positively sure that nothing ould induce him to misbehave in my >resence. He loves me and would lot hurt me for the world.'' "'Hut, darlin' you are 'most sixteen low, an' you ought to try and tone lown a little and not be sich a tommy and romp." "Oh, papa, I can't! Resides there vill be plenty of time for Ihat, T lope, when I get to be a real grown ip young lady?a time I positively ihrink from seeing arrive. When I liink about it I got all choked up ind?oh, papa, I don't ever want to rrow up or be anything but just your toy," and she would cuddle up to iiin :,s if for protection from the l"ivaded slate. And what conld the ond father say as he looked into the ace of his innocent and idolized hi Id? Only: "Clod grant you may never get nil. my Hoy. an' may no sorrow ver dim the lustre of your laughii*:' rown vyes !'' 'Minnie, though also fair, was very nlike her sister. She had deep blue yes and' golden hair, and was as <|iiiet ml dignilicd as lioy I he reverse. At lie age ul fourteen, she was as far dvanccd in her s| ndies and I wo j uMinds lu-avier, though nol so tall as er sister. Hoy was lull for her age! nd very slender, while Minnie was] 0 decidedly "squally," she was lick named ''Ducky." She could ever be persuaded to join in any of toy's wild romps, but greatly enjoyed earing of her many adventures. When lioy was twenty years of age he suddenly became aware that life as something more serious than she ad always imagined. She and JJiniie were just home from college 'here they had been for four years, oted with anxiety that her father's eallli had failed, and by careful, act I nl and judicious questioning, ad louud that he was what lie called 'purly tight run." Tn fact it had taken no small mount to defray their school expends, and he was only a poor farmer, hit at last they were home, and oh! ow proud hp was of his lovely and ecomplished daughters. "O'a, if Annie could see 'em now! nd maybe she does," he would mur- , uir, forgetting in the joy of the reseuI, the long and lonely months 1 which his heart had so hungered i>r the companionship of his absent | >ved ones. II was a lovely morning in June | ml liov and Minnie were seated on ] back porch eating June apples, , iddenly Hoy pitched her knife into J l(> ' ''"il basket and dexterously irow an apple coro at an unolfonding i cat that was crossing the yard. Poor Tom didn't pause to inquire the nature of his olTense, but dashed to the nearest tree up which he scampered in a hurry. Minnie laughed merrily but was thoroughly surprised to sec that Boy was looking unusually serious and thoughtful. "Why, Boy, what is the matter ? You surely hit the cat satisfactorily, didn't you?" questioned Minnie. " Cat?" absentmindedly, "call? Oh, I suppose so?I generally do. But Ducky, have you noticed how papa's health has failed? How thin he is9 Has it ever occurred to you that he lias spent everything he could rake and scrape, poor fellow, to educate us? I have been through his wardrobe and it breaks ray heart to see how scanty and threadbare it is. lie is not able to work himself, hardly able to oversee the hired hands. I have been over tlfe farm .and hav'e never seen the crops so sorry. 1 very much fear that there will not be enough to pay the help. Ducky, unless we can put our education to practical use, what good is it? We must pul our heads ,together and invent some way to help papa." "Oh, Hoy, 1'ni sure I don't know? 1 newr dreamed il was so bad as that," answered Minnie, her fair face growing pale. Boy continued: "I'll tell you what I wish, Ducky. T wish from the very bottom of my heart that 1 were a boy?a sure enough grown up young man with a great big mustache." "Why sister, how ridiculous," exclaimed the astonished Minnie. "Just whatever you choose to call it, my dear; but I've a good reason for wishing it," bitterly. "Ducky, you don't know where I've been riding so much of late, do you? Well, I 've been trying to get a school. I tried at the Fork, at Dunroon and at M lit* Ifendersijn school house. The committeemen in the Fork district didn't think a lady 'suitable.' At Duuroon liiev were sure a lady could not manage their rough set, and that the larger buys would make 'sheep's eyes, at me; they were certain it would be best to have a gentleman teacher. A Mr. Benson had already applied for and obtained permission to leach at Henderson. The committee were sorry T didn't apply sooner, and though perhaps if I should see Mr. Benson, he'd withdraw and take one of the other schools. And Ducky, I really did 'sec' him. 1 explained the situation and told him he could get either of the schools, and asked him kindly if he would not do me the favor; I told him that the committee had sent nie to him, and that it would be so convenient for me to teach that particular school, for then I could board at home. I never dreamed for an instant that he'd refuse but he actually curled his lips scornfully and replied: 'No, I thank you, mv dear, T prefer this to either the Fork or Dunrooi^' lie didn't think tveiling a crowd of rough country youngsters was the proper thing for a young lady, but would feel honored to have me for a "pupil." and Boy's lovely brown eyes flashed resentfully. For a moment Minnie looked at her sister in breathless admiration. Then she said: "Well, Hov, he must be :i hard old skinflint to refuse yon. But does papa know of this?of your Irving to ?.vel a school?" "Mr. Benson is young. Ducky, and as rnnccitcd as a as that little Banlam." pointing lo a very small cock, which was at that moment Irving to drive a great Plymouth Nock rooster from the yard. "Anil, no. papa does not and must not know now that my efforts have all been in vain. And now, Ducky, you haw my reasons for wishing to he a boy. flirls have no chance whatever." "A gentleman! "Who can it be?" whispered Minnie. "Talk of the angels and you will hear their wings flop," laghed Boy. "So, 1 shall guess that it is my chivalrous Mr. Benson. Ray, Ducky, it would be grand fun to go to his school. My! I'd keep his head in a swim. Before two days he, loo, would be wishing that I were a sure enough boy so that lie could have the pleasure of thrashing me. Tint, pshaw. I've no lime to fool away on his Noyal Highness. T just will have lucrative work of some kind. I'll get dear old Dr. Arthur to find me a situation as governess, housekeeper. cook, washer-woman or anything just so that T may help poor, papa." "I want to help him, too," said Minnie wistfully. "So you can, dear: you can be his loving comfort while T am away. You ire too young and too timid to go Prom home to work. Mut forgive me, Dm'ky, 1 should nnt have spoken In rou of trouble. Don't worry your >retty head about it." The conversation was hero inter-1 'uptod by Mr. Drnko coming out and j t joining them. Minnie selected nnc pared the nicest apple for him aiu i Hoy pulled him down on the set to* between them, as he said: * 'Lit tie ones, there's goin' to be t 1 school at Henderson school ho list taught by a Mr. Benson from tin city. "Boy cast a sly I-told-you-s< look at Minnie. The farmer continued i "He wants to board here, and as h< seems to he a proper nice gentleman I thought if my little gals was will , in' I would be glad to take him. Fit teen dollars a month will help a lol an' he offers to pay a month in ad' vance. What does my darlin's liav* to say?" "We say, dearest pape, do in al things just as you like. Certainly it will be convenient to have th? money," answered Boy. "Yes, indeed," echoed Minnie "and we will try and make this v pleasant home for him will we not Boy?" coaxingly. But Boy only answered by a toss of her curly brown head and a roguish flash from hei sparkling brown eyes. "Mr. Benson said that if you gals wanted to take a special course in any kind of book lie would be glad' to teach you." "And what did you tell his highness?" quizzed Boy. "I told him that you was both home an' was both finished," proudi lv. "flood!" laughed the mischievous girl. Dr. Arthur now drove up in hif buggy, and Boy ran nut to meet him .She was a great favorite with the old doctor, and he greeted her warmly. "Home from school, I see. Ant how beautiful you have grown. Bui 'Boy' still," lie laughed as shv sprang nimbly for a swinging liml and quickly secured his horse. After passing the compliments 01 the day with M'innie, Dr. Arthu turned to the farmer: "And hov are you, friend Drake? You seen to be a 1 ilie under the weather,' kindly. " Well, 'bout as common, Doctor thank you. but that ain't nothin' t( brag on. T ain't sick an' haint been but am just weak an' tired. T t'ninl I'll be alright now that my little gab are al home agin." "Been working too hard I guess,' answered the doctor. "A man in my circumstances, witl no boy to depend on, has to work.' "Yes," replied the doctor, gravely "but if you haven't a boy you hav< two of the prettiest and most amiabh girls to be found in the State." "Yes, my little gals are all I coul< desire," looking at them lovingly "but oh, how T need a boy." Tlver Boy spoke up, and the doctor saw that something unusually serious was vexing her curly bead: "Doctor, whal can a girl do to help along?" Tlv? good man looked at her gravely before answering: "That's a perplexing question. Utile one. A girl could do a great many things that she is not allowed to even try. I have been trying foi weeks to get a suitable position foi my daughter, but strange to say, young men are everywhere given the preference in work that a thoroughly competent girl could manage more successfully. Tf T were a literary man I'd write a book on the unfair advantages that young men have over young ladies in the struggle for positions." "You are such a brilliant conversationalist that I'm sure anything you would write would be intensely I interestin'.r. But. doctor, your danffht"r does not need to work," chimed Minnie. "Thank you for your compliment which is very sweet to an old fogy like me, though it is undeserved," smiled the doctor, bowing to Minnie. "But. my dear. T see you are one of many who think a doctor's pockets are always lined with cash. T assure you that such is not the case?at least, not with me. Tda knows that it has cost me a lot to educate her? not that T'm grumbling, now, from it?and she insists on doing something to add to our income, or, toward her own support. 1 admire her ambition; but she'll have to give it up, for T can't find a single position for her." "Oh, dear!" thought Boy, "There is no use asking him to help me. Tf he can't find a place for Ida, his own daughter, he can't do it for me. I wish more than ever that T were a boy. Poor papa!" "Well, doctor, how's your farm; an' how's practice payin' you?" asked the farmer, wishing to change the subject. "My farm is not so good as when j I superintended it myself, but all thing* considered, T suppose it does very well. My practice barely pays for the wear and tear of mv buggy and harness. Seriously, friend Drake, if money was mv only object in the jlactiee of medicine, I'd be compelled to pitch my tent on more favorable grounds whero appreciation and 1 ' pay wore more commonly known and 1' practiced." 3 j "Gracious, what would become of ins all without our doctor? It's bad x! for you, though, that's certain," said a the old* fanner seriously. Then con, tinning: "Doctor, you've been pracj ticin' in my family nigh on to twenj ty year?by George, it is twenty," i looking towards Hoy as if the fact appalled him, "yes it is; twenty year . since Boy was born, an' I've never . found no fault of you. An' I've al^ ways paid you?by George, Doctor, . yon are the (list man I pay every fall. ; A doctor is the best earthly friend we have outside of our mothers. We I send for 'em rain or shine, sleet or , snow an' day or night, an' we ex, pect 'em to come without a word of excuse or grumblin'. Then they've a right to expect thoir pay. An' by ' George, it' 1 was you I'd slop physi1 cin' them at won't pay." ' "That's sound advice, farmer, and I appreciate your interest; but my , sympathy for the sick and suffering won't allow me to be partial. I at, ttMic! to the poorest as quickly and sympathetically as to the richest. IVlv regard is not here, but hereafter. Then most people in this section are in bad circumstances financially but ! could do belter if they would. They work about seven months per year, buy rations on credit, and at live end . of Ihc year the ration bill and preacher must be paid first, and if ' ; there is anything left?which, generally speaking there isn't-? the doctor \ gets a little," returned the doctor, smilingly. Boy and Minnie looked with admir1 at ion on the good old doctor, while the t farmer gazed across the yard } thoughtfully a moment before saying: > "I'll tell you what it is, doctor, I believe that about nine tenths of the f preachers nowadays are preachin' for r the money an' don't care a red cop'* per about a man's soul, only cause i savin' souls '11 make 'em more poplcr i an' cause 'em to git more money. I've j a I 'ays said it an' '11 stick to it till I . sec a preacher will in' to do somc1 thin' besides set in the shade an' j read through the week and preach on t Sundays. Look at our preacher now. ' He's got a fine furnished parsonage to liw in at Dunroon, don't have to ' j>ay no rent or buy no wood, gets a salery of one thousand d oilers a year i an' then has the audacity to say it ' ain't enough to run him, his wife an' > two darters. By George! Doctor, I * don't see in to it. An' T met iiis 3 oldest darter in the road the other day, an' do you think she so much I as nodded her head at me? Xo, sir, > she jest coolly looked me over from . i head to foot as much as to say, 'Well, you are the queerest lookin' ' aspect I've seen today!' An' manv's the time she's had fruit an' flowers i from my hands." The old farmer's - eyes snapped wrathfully. "My friend," saiJ. the doctor softly, leaning over and placing a friend- ; ly hand on the farmer's shoulder, "Wouldn't you like to heap coals of I fire on her head ?" i " By George! She's got her hair all | scorched to ruin now, with enrlin' irons," blurted tlie indignant man. 1 The doctor smiled but continued: ".Just send her a basket of your * , matchless June apples with a little ' | note, telling her that the roses are | in full bloom and asking her to come ' for a share.'' * " No, blamed if I do. Invite that. ! J stuck-up thing here to insult me with ! her stuck-up way-;? Xo siree! Have ! y<>u ever noticed how she treats poor 1 1 folks when slu> meets 'em?" persisted the farmer. "Tell the truth now." "Ain sorry to say that I have no- ! ticed it, ' admitted the good doctor reluctantly. "And it is vc * unhccom- ' ing in her, for these same poor and common people have helped to educate and dress her in ribbons and ' laces, and always at a sacrifice to themselves. But we must rise above f such things, my friend, and sweep the 1 cobwebs from the world with the soft brush of charity. And now, I'm going to leave a Ionic for you. Xo objections, now, for you really need ' it." faking a small bottle from his medicine case. Dr. Arthur had a curious practice of keeping his case of medicines right with him: no dif- 1 fcrence if he made a social call, he never left his drugs hidden under ^ the buggy seat in the meantime, but ^ always carried them with him as if ' it. were impossible to bear the least J) separation. The hal,:t had often saved 1 him many steps, too, and prevented 1 delays which might have been ser- i ions. "T advise you to take a good T long rest. Remember that proven- ^ lion is better than cure. Then I 0 think you will be yourself soon and willing to divide June apples with your enemies. If you had any," 4 laughing. "Tt's curious how our ill health physically, affects us morally 1 and mentally, isn't it? By the wjiv, din \ tell you that a young doctdr is ffoing to put up at Dunroon? Yoa, a line looking; young' man from tho city by the name of Laltoche." ^H "Hump, a newfledged thing- that'll give physic like a boy with his first fire cracker an' don't know whether it'll blow him or somebody else to 'H| kingdom come," blurted the old farmor, at which they all laughed. MM "Or a fine fellow like I read about ,'^H once," said Minnie, "who will never )^H go out in a rain or when his head J^B aches; and when he does go will strive to im,press all present with an idea of his immense profoundly. As he counts the patient's pulse and examines the tongue, he'll fix his eyes on the ceiling in profound contem- ^H plation. And the poor sick patient j^B will think he has only a clay or two at longest to prepare for an exit to eternity." "You'll find that we all swear by you, doctor, as the saying goes," said Hoy. "You are willing to tell your patient what his trouble is, what you are going to put into his stomache and what you expect it to do for him. * You are interested in the least symptom of the most ordinary patient, and you are so kind and sympathetic one doesn't mind telling you exactly how lie. or she feels. You never prescribe unnecessarily and' always speak so cheerfully when you leave that the patient doubts after all whether he is really sick or not." "Thank you, Boy, thank you," laughed the doctor. "Tint perhaps I do not stand so highly in every one's oj^H estimation. And really, I must go." ^BB rising from his seat. "Stay for dinner, can't you?" they all asked, but B^B it was a busy day for the doctor and he declined with thanks. nHH (To be Continued.) ^^B < BBi Headacho Helps. JgBB When I feel a 'headache coming on, KB says a writer in the April Designer. HHB I look around for the cause. Usually 1 loosen my hair. It is not generally known Mi-at hadr done up tightly and pinned close to the head will cause headache. Try letting the hair fall H^fl loose, or braid or pin it loosely in a HQS a different style. Sometimes it is |^^H my collar which is too tight, and I^BB when I take it oft my headache dis-^H5j appears. Again it is caused by tight or uncomfortable shoes, or by high-HBH heeled shoes, which may feel comfort HHE able but which will oause the trouble. Sgffl EXCURSION RATES. W Via Southern Railway for Special El Occasions. jKflj Baltimore, Md., and return, account . HI general conference M. E. church, May JH 6th-30th, .1908. Very low round trip rates open to the public. Tickets to !jH he sold May 3rd-4th-5th, good to leave Baltimore returning not later than 'JH midnight, May 30th, 1908. $HE ashington, I). C., and return, ac- rjffi count Biennial Session National As- j^BH socio t ion of Colonial IJames, May 6thf)th, 1908. Very low round trip rates 'Hjg-jj open to the public. Tickets to be ^Bl|| sold May 3rd-5th, good to return leaving Washington not later than mid- HB night, May 12th, 190.8. Further ex- ? tensions, final limit, to leave Washing- hhs ton not later than May 25th, 1908, K ?an be had upon payment of fee of 50 H| ?cnts and deposit of ticket. Richmond, Va., and return, accouni National Conference of Charities and ^B Correction, May (5th-13th, 1900. Very low round trip rates open to the pub- wB ic. Tickets to be sold May lst-4th, Bp 1908, good to return leaving Rich- raff nond n?.t later than midniyhl, May jk 151 h. 1008. S Xorl.dk, \ a., and relurn, account Smj| uMieral '( onference A. M. JO. church, May 4th-30th, .190S. Very low round rip rates open to the i>ublic. Ticket 0 he sold May 2nd-3rd, good to urn leaving Norfolk not later !lf tii nidnight, May 31st, .1908. Sjv- H| For detailed information, ra'j^ aflj schedules, etc., apply to Southf Railway ticket agents or address *-"? [enS Division Passenger Agent, 1 ^y jj Charleston, S. C. Asst. Cen'l Passenger Agt, . NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT, fljjij T will make final settlement on the OSmw isfafe of Y. C. Meyers, deceased, he piobate court for Newberry conn- ^BnM y. on Monday, May 18, 1908, at 11 v MB i. m., and immediately thereafter ap- ';':<^H >ly for letters dismissary as execuor of said estate. All persons hold- MB ng claims against said estate will resent them duly attested on or be- B| ore that date and all persons indebt- HI d to said estate will make payment. |H S. M. Meyers, HE Ex. R. C. Meyers, deceased. H l-lf aw. 1RY THE "RIBBOW WINNER," f.B Best pencil perforated tablet on H the market, for 5c. BroaJdus & H Jtofiu *** ^