Susan Clegg and Her Friend Mrs. Lathrop Page 4

  IV

  SUSAN CLEGG'S COUSIN MARION

  Mrs. Lathrop was of a placid disposition, and not inclined towardseven that species of mental activity which a more than usual amount ofastonishment demands. Therefore when she saw Susan going out one veryrainy day she merely wondered where her energetic neighbor was going,and when, an hour later, she observed the same lady returning, shecontinued her usual trend of thought by the mildest possible furtherdevelopment of a species of curiosity as to where she had been.

  Miss Clegg perceived the interested gaze directed towards her out ofthe kitchen window and decided to go in next door for a little visit.To that end she passed her own gate, entered Mrs. Lathrop's, proceededup the front walk, stacked her dripping umbrella against one of thepiazza posts, carefully disposed her rubbers beside the umbrella, andthen entered the house.

  She found Mrs. Lathrop seated in the kitchen.

  "Why," said that lady, "I thought you was gone on up to see--"

  "No," said the visitor, "I was to see her last week and I sha'n't goagain for one while. Mrs. Brown 'n' me has been friends 'n' goodfriends for too many years to break off sudden, but still I never'xpected 's she'd be one to try a new receipt on me 'n' never give memy choice's to whether I'd risk it or not until a good fifteen minutesafter I'd swallowed the last bite. I can't feel anythin' but bitterstill when I think of yesterday 'n' last night. I was sittin' there 'sinnocent 's a mule eatin' thistles, 'n' all of a sudden I felt to say,'Mrs. Brown, did you put bakin' powder or yeast in that cake?' It wasthen 's she told me 't she'd up 'n' made it with suthin' 's a peddlerthrowed in at the door. 'Where's the label?' I says, puttin' my handto where I felt the most need o' knowin' what in creation to come Ihad got in me. Well, Mrs. Lathrop, 'f she hadn't burned up the label;so there was nothin' f'r me to do but go home 'n' come nigh to dyin'of I did n't know what. I 've got a book, 'The Handy Family Friend,''s tells what you 'd ought to take after you 've took anythin', 'n' Iread it 'way through to see 'f there was any rule f'r when you don'tknow what you 've took, but there wa'n't no directions, 'n' so I jus'calmly spent the night hoppin' about like mad, 'n' I 'm free toconfess 't there'll be a coolness in my feelin's towards Mrs. Brownhenceforth. I ain't said nothin' direct to her herself, but I spoke myfull mind to Mrs. Macy, 'n' Mrs. Macy give me to understand 's sheshould let Mrs. Brown know my sufferin's, 'n' I mentioned to Mr.Kimball 's I felt some hurt over bein' pierced to the core with cake's nobody knowed what had raised it, 'n', although he laughed 'n' saidmebbe Cain raised it, still I feel he 's safe to tell every one intown. I want 's every one sh'd know it. I consider 't when a womangoes to see another woman she 's unsuspectin' o' any new species o'cake-raisin', 'n' 'f there is any new species in the wind my view o'the matter is 's it 'd ought to be tried on somebody else 'n' not onme."

  Miss Clegg stopped and shook her head hard.

  "Where have you--" began Mrs. Lathrop.

  "Oh, that reminds me," said the caller with a sudden start. She pauseda second, as if to gather force for the proper delivery of her nextspeech; a wondrous glow of unconscious but exalted triumph rose to hervisage. "I went," she announced, her voice high-keyed with confidenceas to what was about to fall upon the totally unprepared placidity ofthe unsuspecting Mrs. Lathrop,--"I went to post a letter to CousinMarion!"

  Mrs. Lathrop's jaw dropped. A sudden and complete paralysis of all herfaculties seemed to be the immediate effect of her friend's astoundingcommunication.

  For a full half-minute there was silence in the kitchen while Susanrocked and enjoyed the sight of the havoc wrought by her speech.

  But at last Mrs. Lathrop gathered some fragments out of the wreck ofher sensibilities and said feebly,--

  "Why, Susan, I never hear as you had one single--"

  "Nor me, neither," said the caller,--and then the sluice-gates opened,and the stream swept through and madly on again,--"nor me, neither,Mrs. Lathrop. I never even dreamed o' any such goin's on, 'n' I c'nassure you 's the shock 's come 's heavy on me 's on you. I went upgarret this mornin' 's innocent 's a babe whose mother 's yet unborn,'n' there I found her."

  "In the garret!" cried Mrs. Lathrop.

  Miss Clegg drew a long breath.

  "In a trunk. 'N' jus' 's unexpected 's the comin' o' Judgment Day.Mrs. Lathrop, you c'n believe me or not jus' 's you please, but I giveyou my Gospel word of honor as when I turned down the flap o' a trunk'n' see that old mousey letter stuck in it cornerways, I no morethought o' findin' a cousin than I did o' findin' a moth, 'n' _you_know how scarce moths is with me; I ain't so much 's seen one 'xcepton your side o' the house in twenty years, I do believe. 'N' I couldn't in conscience say 's I was pleased when I did see the letter, f'rI thought's like 's not it was a bill, 'n' anyhow I wa'n't inclined tobe over-pleased at anythin' this mornin'--I persume you saw how theminister come in on me?"

  "Yes," said Mrs. Lathrop, "I see him. What--"

  "Wanted to name the baby after me, 'n' I call it a pretty time to comenamin' a baby when a woman has got one leg on a ladder 'n' her headtied up for bats. I thought he was the tin-peddler from Meadville, 'n'I run f'r my rag-bag, 'n' then there it was only the minister afterall! Well, I was n't pleased a _tall_, 'n' I did n't ask him in,neither. I stood fair 'n' square in the doorway, 'n' 'f he was'xpectin' to see me look happy over havin' a compliment paid me, 'twas one more time 's he did n't get what he 'xpected. That was what hecalled it,--'payin' me a compliment,'--'n' I mus' say 's it struck me's pretty high-flown language f'r jus' simply wantin' to name athirteenth baby after the richest woman in the c'mmunity. Seems to methirteen was a good many to wait afore thinkin' o' me anyhow, 'n' Iain't noways sure 's I want a thirteenth baby named after me anyway. Inever was foolish like some folks, 'n' you know _that_ 's well 's Ido, Mrs. Lathrop, but still you know, too, 's it's never nothin' butsafe to keep away fr'm the under side o' ladders 'n' the numberthirteen. I 've heard Gran'ma Mullins tell a dozen times 's how 'f she'd never 'a' gone picnickin' on twice thirteen--that's twenty-six--o'July she 'd never 'a' met her husband, 'n' might o' married DeaconWhite. They was both after her, 'n' she picked out the wrong one, 'n'first he went to the war 'n' then he went to the dogs, 'n' now thereshe is in a four-room cottage 'n' Deacon White's wife orderin' apatent ice-box out o' a catalogue 'n' him never sayin' a word. She c'd'a' took a world o' comfort with his daughter, 'n' I don't believe shetakes none to speak o' with Hiram, 'n' anyway I was clean put out withthe minister afore I even see him, f'r I can't abide that way he 'n'his wife's both got o' talkin' 'n' talkin' 'n' never gettin' aroun' tosayin' what they set out to. I like folks 's is right quick 'n' sharp,'n' these roamin', meanderin' kind o' everlastin' talkers ain't myidea a _tall_. 'N' I 'm free to confess 's I did get some temperedto-day standin' there listenin' to what did n't interest me no more 'na pussy-willow, 'n' me wild to be rootin' up garret all the time.

  "O' course he had to tell me all about the baby, 'n' how FeliciaHemans is jus' come to the silly readin' age 'n' 's wild to name itBrunhilde. Seems 's Felicia Hemans is out for Brunhilde 'n' theminister's out f'r me. I never hear o' no Brunhilde, 'n' I up 'n' toldthe minister so to his face. 'Who is she anyhow?' I says, flat 'n'plain, for Lord knows 'f he'd found a rich relation I wanted my oldflannels for cleanin' cloths hereafter. But he 'xplained 's FeliciaHemans got Brunhilde out o' a book--the Nibble suthin' 'r other. 'Oh,well,' I says, 'if you c'n be suited with namin' your family afterrats 'n' mice I guess you c'n leave me out,' I says, 'n' I kind o'backed off so 's to try 'n' set him a-goin', but he stood still, 'n'o' course no true Christian c'n shut her door in her minister'sface--even 'f she _is_ stark crazy to get to cleanin' her garret. 'Whydon't you name her Minnie after yourself?' I says (Minister, youknow), but I c'd see 't he didn't take to that a _tall_. 'Oh, well,' Isays then, feelin' 't I must get rid o' him somehow, 'name her afterme 'f you want to 'n' I'll give her--''n' I was jus' goin' to say 'myblessin',' 'n' such a look come over his face 'n'--well, Mrs. Lathrop,maybe I 'm too tender-hearted f'r my own good, but I jus' had thefeelin' 't I c'd 's ea
sy pull the legs off o' a live fly 's todisapp'int that face, 'n' so I says 'a dollar' right off quick beforeI really thought. 'N' what do you think?--what _do_ you think? 'F you'll believe me he did n't look overly pleased, 'n' at that I _did_warm up a little. You don't 'xpect much of a minister, 'n' I think asa general rule 't we 're pretty patient with ours, but you _do_ 'xpectgratitude, 'n' a dollar's a dollar, 'n' considerin' the garret intothe bargain, I felt my temper comin' pretty high, 'n' I jus' out withwhat I 'd been thinkin' all along 'n' I spoke the truth flat 'n' plainright to his face. 'I d'n' know,' I says, 'why I sh'd be 'xpected togive your baby more 'n a dollar. She ain't _my_ baby, 'n' you know 'swell 's I do where the blame f'r _that_ lies,' 'n' then I banged thedoor in his face. Maybe it was n't jus' the proper thing to do, but 'fever a woman had no need for a minister it was me this mornin'."

  Susan paused, and Mrs. Lathrop seized the chance to interpose aquestion.

  "'N' about your cousin--"

  But Miss Clegg was already started again.

  "I do get so aggravated when I think about the minister," she went on."I was sayin' to Mrs. Macy yesterday 's it does seem 's 'f I haveharder work keepin' on smilin' terms with my own minister 'n' even aJob might in reason look for. I would n't be no woman 'f I had n'tshown some feelin' over the way 't he went about town tellin' right'n' left how nice them stockin's o' mine fit him after they shrunk toosmall f'r me, 'n' yet I ain't a mite o' doubt but what, a'cordin' tothe Bible, I 'd ought to 'a' forgive him 'n' turned the other cheekinto the bargain. Mrs. Craig says 's Mr. Kimball ain't mincin' mattersnone, but is jus' statin' all over 's it's all on a'count o' my havin'bought the wool o' Shores; she says 't he says 't if I 'd bought it o'him I 'd be wearin' all four pair this very day. She says 's Mrs.Fisher says 's he told her 't, seein' things is 's they is, he'slookin' to see them stockin's keep right on shrinkin' down through theminister's family until they end up 's socks on the thirteenth baby. Ajoke's a joke, 'n' I c'n see the p'int o' a good joke 's quick 's anyone, but I mus' say I fail to see any fun in such a remark. 'S far 'smy observation's 'xtended, there ain't nothin' ladylike in theminister's wearin' my stockin's, nor yet in Mr. Kimball's entertainin'the whole c'mmunity with 'em. A'cordin' to my manner o' thinkin', awoman as 'll give away four pair o' brand-new hand-knit stockin's forno better reason 'n 't the heels shrunk down under her instep, isdoin' a deed o' Christian charity instead o' layin' herself open toall manner o' fun-makin'. 'N' I ain't the only one 's views the thingso serious, either, for Mr. Shores feels jus' 's bad 's I do about it.He come runnin' to catch me the other day, 'n' asked me 'f I had n'tmebbe used cold water for the first washin'. I did n't feel to thankhim none f'r his interest afore he opened his mouth, but I c'n assureyou, Mrs. Lathrop, 't after he'd spoke I jus' stood thereplum-petrified 'n' stock-starin' f'r 's much 's a minute afore I c'dget voice to ask who give _him_ the authority to teach me how to washmy own stockin's. 'N' then, when I _did_ speak, I made no bones 's tosayin' jus' what I thought. I never was one to give my opinion o'anythin' or anybody aroun' free, but I certainly did feel to be openat Mr. Shores. I told him 's shrunk stockin's to my order o' thinkin'was a species o' spilt milk 's knowed no turnin', 'n' I further toldhim 't I 'd take it 's a great kindness 'f he 'n' the rest o' the townwould shut their mouths right up tight on my stockin's. I says to him,I says, 'Mr. Shores, when your wife eloped I was one o' the few--the_very_ few--'s blamed _her_, 'n' I beg 'n' pray 't the quality o' yourwool won't force me to change my mind. Your clerk 't she eloped with,'I says, 'once give me a nickel three cent piece in place of a dime,' Isays, ''n' up to the first washin' o' them stockin's I never so much's breathed a suspicion of your mebbe dividin' that seven cents withhim. But I ain't so sure now,' I says, ''n' I ain't prepared to saywhat I 'll think from now on,' 'n' then I walked off, leavin' him good'n' meek, I c'n assure you; 'n' the come-out o' that little game is asmy trade, which ranged fr'm ten to fifty cents a week 'n' _always_cash, is lost to him forever hereafter."

  Mrs. Lathrop was fairly choking with impatience.

  "'N' your cousin--" she interjected quickly, as Susan halted for aslight rest.

  "Yes," said that lady, with a certain chilling air of having up to nowsuffered from inexcusable neglect on the part of her friend, "I wasthinkin' 's it was about time 't you begin to show _some_ interest inwhat I come over to tell you--'n' me here for the best part o' a goodhalf-hour already. Well, 'n' my cousin! She come out o' a letter, Mrs.Lathrop, a old torn letter 's you or any other ordinary person wouldprobably 'a' throwed away without even readin'. But I was never one todo things slipshod, 'n' I read every scrap 's I 've got time to piecetogether, so it was nothin' but natural 's I sh'd quit work 's soon 'sI see Cousin Marion's letter 'n' sit right down to read it. 'N' it'sgood as I did too, for 'f I 'd been careless 'n' burned my rubbishunread, Cousin Marion 'd certainly 'a' burnt with the other scraps,'n' as a consequence I'd 'a' missed about the happiest minutes 's I've knowed since father died. You c'n believe me or not, jus' 's youplease, Mrs. Lathrop, but I cried over that letter; 'n' if some wasthe dust in my nose, the rest was real affection, for, Lord knows,when you 're scratchin' out mice 'n' cobwebs you ain't lookin' to finda relation none. But anyhow, there she was, 'n' if she ain't died inthe mean time--f'r the letter was wrote over fifty years ago--I mayknow suthin' o' family life yet. It was the beautifullest letter 't Iever read. You c'd n't imagine nothin' more beautiful. I'm afraid 'smebbe mother 'n' me misjudged father, owin' to the everlastin' up 'n'down stairs, 'n' mother used to say right out 't it was a neck to necktie 's to which he stuck closest to, his bed or his money. But hewasn't always like that, 'n' this letter proves it, for Heaven knowswhat he must 'a' give Cousin Marion to 'a' ever brought her to writehim such words 's them. Not to deceive you, Mrs. Lathrop, the letterwas that grateful that I was more 'n a little bothered over it. It isn't very likely 's you sh'd be able to understan' my feelin's to theirfull, 'n' yet you c'n mebbe guess 's it ain't altogether a agreeablething to suddenly find out 't your own native flesh 'n' blood father'sgot distant relations callin' down daily blessin's on him f'r hisoverwhelmin' generosity. That's what she said in the letter, 'n' Ican't deny 's the words sent a cold chill runnin' down my backbone 'sI read 'em.

  "The whole letter was writ in the same style, 'n' it didn't take longf'r me to see right straight through it, 'n' hatch more 'n a suspicion't the reason 't I never hear o' Cousin Marion afore was 'cause shewas head over heels in love with father. It was real touchin' too tothink how near her letter came to bein' one o' mother's, 'n' in theend I jus' sneezed till I cried, for, to my shame be it said, Mrs.Lathrop, 't the dust was 's thick in my garret this day 's it is inyour parlor the year aroun'."

  Susan paused to shake her head and use her pocket-handkerchief overher souvenirs in general. Mrs. Lathrop sat dumb and attentive.

  "Marion Prim was her name," the narrator continued presently, "'n' shewrit it from Knoxville fifty-one years ago come last October. Did_you_ ever hear of her?"

  Mrs. Lathrop screwed her face up thoughtfully, but was forced to screwit into a negation after all.

  "Seems funny 't father never spoke o' her after mother was so far pastbein' jealous 's to be buried. He c'd 'a' said anythin' about anybodythem years, 'n' 'f I had time to listen I'd 'a' been bound to hear,but to my certain knowledge he never said one word o' family 'xcept toremark over 'n' over 's he thanked the Lord Almighty 's he had n't gotnone, which words I naturally took 's signifyin' 's he was speakin'the truth. Still a man is a man, 'n' this letter proves 's you can'teven be sure o' one 's has been in bed under your own eye f'r twentyyears, f'r it not only shows 's he did have a relation, but it showssuthin' else too; it shows me, 's has had four men all tryin' to marryme inside o' the same week, 't suthin' pretty close to love-makin' 'dpassed between her 's wrote this letter 'n' him 's kept it carefullyhid away till long after he was dead. There's a shakiness about thewritin' 'n' a down-hilledness about the lines 's lets me right intothe secret o' their hearts, 'n' I'm willin' to venture a guess 'tCousin Marion c'd get mo
ney out o' father with less pain 'n mothercould, under which circumstances I don't blame mother for closin' downon the subjeck.

  "The more I consider that letter up 'n' down 'n' hind end to, Mrs.Lathrop, the plainer I see 's Cousin Marion must 'a' been a sore 'n'abidin' thorn inside o' father 'n' mother. Perhaps it was that as givehim the paralysis! The doctor said 's it was suthin' obscure, 'n' 'fsuthin' 's ain't found out till years after you 're dead ain't obscureI don't know what is. Anyway I 've took my stand 'n' it was the onlysensible one to take. This 's the first chance I 've ever had in allmy life to get a nice change without payin' board, 'n' so I jus' satright down 'n' wrote to Cousin Marion 't 'f it was convenient to her I'd come to Knoxville 'n' spend next Sunday. She 's bound to be pleased't bein' remembered after fifty years, 'n' I 've got father's nose,'n' that 'll help some, o' course. She can't be worse 'n dead, 'n' 'fshe's dead 'n' don't answer I sha'n't never give the subjeck anotherthought, f'r I naturally ain't got very fond o' her jus' from findin'her musty old letter stuck in behind the flap of a trunk 's I 've beenachin' to hack to pieces these last twenty years. I never went up inmy garret without I skinned myself somewhere on that trunk, 'n' youknow how often I go up garret, Mrs. Lathrop, so it goes without sayin''s I 've been considerably skinned first 'n' last. But 'f she sh'd bealive 'n' I sh'd get to go there, the Lord knows I certainly shallrejoice to have some o' my own to talk to, f'r blood is thicker 'nwater, 'n' although I don't want to hurt your feelin's, Mrs. Lathrop,still you can't in conscience deny 's you ain't no conversationalist.Nobody is that I know hereabouts, neither. The minister talks some,but I 'm always thinkin' how much more I want to tell him things 'n Iever want to hear what he has to say, so I can't in truth feel 's histalkin' gives me much pleasure. Mrs. Macy 's great on gaspin', but shedon't as a general thing get very far, 'n' so the long 'n' short o'the whole thing is 't if Cousin Marion ain't a change f'r the bettershe can't noways be a change f'r the worst, 'n' so I 've made up mymind to sail right in 'n' risk her.

  "I 've thought 's it 'll be a nice idea to take her father's cane fora present; it 'll surely come very handy to her,--'f she 's alive a_tall_,--'n' since Mr. Kimball over-persuaded me into buyin' one o'them patent carpet-beaters, it ain't no manner o' service to me. Not's I ain't sure 't I don't really prefer the cane to the patent, but I've paid for the new thing 'n' I ain't goin' to go to work to makemyself feel 's I 've wasted my money. The carpet-beater ain 't up toMr. Kimball's talk by long odds, 'n' so far from turnin' into aegg-beater in the wink of your eye like he promised, you 've got togrip it fast between your knees 'n' get your back ag'in a flour-bin toturn it into anythin' a _tall_. 'N' then when it does turn, so farfrom bein' a joy it lets up so quick 't you find yourself mostanywhere. Mrs. Craig was gettin' her brace ag'in the hen-house, 'n'when it let up she sat down so sudden 't she smashed the henhouse 'n'a whole settin' o' duck-eggs not to speak of the hen between. Mrs.Macy says 't seein' 's she has more eggs 'n carpets, she jus' beatsher carpets with the egg end 'n' don't fuss to change ever. Mrs.Fisher says what puts her out is 't the ring 's you slide up to closethe whisks for killin' flies won't stay up, 'n the flies don't getkilled but jus' get hit so they buzz without stoppin' from then on.Mrs. Jilkins says right out 's she considers the whole thing aswindle, 'n' 'f Mr. Kimball was n't rentin' his store o' her brothershe sh'd tell him so to his face. She says the three-inch measure onthe handle 's too short to be o' any real service on a farm, 'n' heropinion is 't Mr. Kimball keeps his sample dipped in kerosene or henever could snap it in 'n' out so quick. Anyhow it all comes in theend to the fact 't, havin' bought it, I 'll work it 'f I die f'r it,'n' so Cousin Marion c'n have the cane, 'n' may she be everlastin'lyhappy usin' it. I did n't get my trunk down 'cause I 'll have Fridayto pack anyhow, 'n' any one c'n slide a trunk down a ladder any time,but nobody can't never slide nothin' up nowhere. Besides, I sh'd looklike a fool puttin' back a trunk 't I 'd hauled out to visit a cousinwho like enough died afore I was born, 'n' I ain't no fool,--never was'n' never will be."

  There was a short stop for a fresh supply of breath.

  "I wonder 'f--" began Mrs. Lathrop.

  "The difficulty o' all things in this world," Miss Clegg went onpromptly, "is 't if you have any brains a _tall_ you 're bound to haveso much work for 'em. Now, this findin' o' Cousin Marion no doubtlooks simple enough to you 'n' the world in general, 'n' yet the moreI turn her up 'n' down 'n' inside out the more new lights I get. Whenyou come to consider 't I only found the letter this mornin', 'n' thatit ain't supper-time yet, you c'n easy see 's my day's been more 'nfull o' brain-work. Comin' up the street this afternoon, the questiono' the possibility o' Cousin Marion's bein' poor come into my mind. Ic'n speak out freely to you, Mrs. Lathrop, 'n' so I will remark 't Ic'n guarantee 's father never give her nothin' o' late years, 'n' 'fshe's poor it don't take no eagle eye to know jus' what'll happen whenshe gets my letter. 'F the letter hadn't been posted 'n' the sack goneto the train afore I thought o' this view o' the matter, I'm free toconfess 's I never would 'a' posted it a _tall_. For there's no usedenyin', Mrs. Lathrop, 't, 'f my visit to Cousin Marion sh'd lead toher askin' to borrow 's much 's a quarter, I sh'll bitterly regretever havin' clawed her out from back o' that trunk-flap. There ain'tno possible good 's c'n ever come o' lendin' money to them's ain'table to pay it back, 'n' I learned that lesson to my bitter cost once'n' for all time when I had that little business with Sam Duruy. Thattook all the likin' to lend out o' me, 'n' Heaven help me 'f I everforget it. I thought I was so safe, Mrs. Lathrop,--I looked in allfour o' his hoofs, 'n' swished my handkerchief in each o' his eyes,'n' he was certainly lively, so I planked down my little five dollars'n' Sam was to keep on drivin' the horse. Well, you know 's well 's Ido what happened, 'n' the skin brought seventy-five cents. Sam suedthe railroad, 'n' the railroad asked why he did n't read the 'Look outfor the Locomotive.' I told him to go into court 'n' swear 's he couldn't read, but he said Judge Fitch used to be his school-teacher 'n'knowed 's he could. 'N' then I offered to go to court myself 'n' swearon the Bible 's the whole town looked on him 's more 'n half a idiot,'n' Mr. Duruy jus' sat right flat down on the whole thing. So they didn't even pay his lawyer, 'n' it goes without sayin' 't o' course hecould n't pay me; 'n' then, do you know, Mrs. Lathrop, 'f he did n'thave the impudence this very afternoon to stop me down in the square'n' ask me 'f I would n't lend him ten cents on a rooster! I waspretty nigh to put out over that, I c'n assure you. I mus' 'a' staredat him f'r 's much 's ten seconds afore I sensed 't he was really foolenough to think 't mebbe I was fool enough too. 'N' then I let out athim. 'Not while I have the breath o' life in my body,' I says,--'n' itshook 's I said it,--'not 'f I know my own mind. What's to guaranteeme,' I says, ''s your rooster won't take it into his head to goa-promenadin' on the railway track?' I says. He begin to tell 's how,even dead, the rooster was worth more 'n ten cents. 'I d'n' know aboutthat,' I says, 'it don't strike me 's noways likely 't when hesuddenly observes the engine 'most on top o' him, he's goin' to takethe time 'n' trouble to lay his head square 'n' even across the rail,'n' you know 's well 's I do 't no rooster killed cornerways ain'tnever goin' to bring no nickel apiece for his corners. No, Mister SamDuruy,' I says, 'your lively horse's taught me a lesson,' I says, ''n'hereafter I don't lend no money on so much 's a egg without I see agood curb-bit bought 'n' put in its mouth first,' I says; 'n' then Iwalked off, 'n' the end o' it all is 't if Cousin Marion's poor Icertainly ain't very wild to have her find out 's I'm rich.

  "But then, I ain't very anxious to have her rich either, I must say,for it don't take no blind man to figger out 't if she 's rich themoney 'd ought to 'a' been mine. 'N' that 's a awful feelin', Mrs.Lathrop,--the feelin' 's other folks 's rich on money 's 'd ought to'a' been yours. I ain't sure 's I want to know Cousin Marion 'f such's the facts o' her case, 'n' 's between her bein' poor 'n' wantin'money o' me, 'n' her bein' rich on money right out o' my pocket, Ifeel like I mebbe clum that ladder this mornin' in a evil hour f'r myfuture peace o' mind.

  "'N' then, too, 'f she 's rich I cer
tainly can't go to see her withoutI buy me a new bonnet. 'F she 's rich, o' course I want her to seeright off 's I 'm rich too, 'n' bein' 's we 're old friends 'n' alonehere together, I c'n truthfully state 's she could n't in reasonmistrust no such thing from my bonnet. It 's a good bonnet, 'n' it'sbeen a good bonnet year in 'n' year out 'n' in rain 'n' shine turn an'turn about, but I never was give to deceivin' myself no more nor aoutsider, 'n' so I will frankly say 't it 's long past its firstshininess. Miss White 's freshened it up two times for me, 'n' Ialways have new ribbons to tie it every other Easter, but still, inthe box or out o' the box, its day is past for lookin' brand-new, 'n'I don't deny the truth 's a more foolish woman might feel someinclined to do. So, such bein' the case, Cousin Marion 'n' a newbonnet comes to one 'n' the same thing, 'n' I can't say 'sbonnet-buyin' 's a way o' spendin' money 's is over-agreeable to me.However, 'f it is to be it is to be, 'n' I sha'n't cry over nothin'. I'll buy the bonnet, 'n' I guess 'f she talks to me about her money Ic'n come out right quick 'n' sharp 'n' talk about mine. 'N' I guess Ic'n talk her down--I 'll try good 'n' hard, I know _that_. 'N' 'f shesh'd put me beyond all patience, I 'll jus' make no bones about it,but get right up 'n' smash her flat with her own letter o' fifty yearsago. I don't believe nobody c'd put on airs in the face o' their ownname signed to bein' saved from want by the kind, graspin' hand o' mydead 'n' gone father."

  Susan ceased speaking, and rose suddenly to her feet.

  "I must go," she said; "it's time I was seein' about supper, 'n' it'sbeen a hard day first 'n' last. It's been 'xcitin', 'n' I cleaned thegarret too, 'n' then my mind 's all upset 's to travelling 'n' I'vegot to consider a lot afore I c'n decide 's to anythin'. 'N' I onlyfeel plum sure o' one thing, 'n' that is 's I don't want to buy no newbonnet. Bonnets is a awful waste o' money, 'n' I've got nothin' insideo' me 's cries out to extravagance. But speakin' o' waste reminds meover again 's I don't want to throw no more time away on you, so, 'sI'm always frank 'n' open, I'll jus' say so 'n' go now."

  * * * * *

  The letter which Susan Clegg had mailed to her cousin "Marion Prim,Knoxville," did actually reach the hands of the person for whom it wasintended, and the evening of the second day after brought an answerwhich the two friends studied together in a mutual intellectualdarkness.

  "Says she's lived for fifty years on the motto, 'S'fficient unto theday 's the evil thereof,' 'n' now my letter's come,"--it was thus thatSusan voiced her understanding of the matter,--"says I c'n come 'f Iwant to, 'n' mebbe it'll be some consolation! I don't call that by nomeans cordial, but I 'm bound to consider 't 'f Cousin Marion 's anykin to father she could n't naturally be very open-hearted, 'n' I mustoverlook her with a good grace 'n' a clear conscience. I 'll gobecause I 've made up my mind to go, but I won't take no trunk nor yetbuy no new bonnet."

  Mrs. Lathrop offering no counter advice, Miss Clegg returned to theshelter of her own roof, and to judge by the banging and squeakingthat ensued, burglars were barred out from even daring to dream of apossible raid during the absence which was to be upon the followingday. About nine o'clock peace fell over all and lasted until the dawnof the eventful Saturday.

  When Susan was all ready to start for the station, she called herfriend to the fence and shook hands with her so warmly that the tearsoverflowed the awe in the other's eyes.

  "Good-bye, Mrs. Lathrop," she said with a solemnity that had nothingto relieve its sombreness and much to deepen the impressiveness of themoment. "Good-bye! I 'm goin' now, 'n' I sh'll be back this evenin','n' so help me God while I'm gone, for I have a goose-flesh kind o' asensation 't I'm goin' to get a surprise."

  Mrs. Lathrop clung to her in a heart-wrung silence. Both the friendswere deeply affected, feeling that this journey was a something quiteapart from Susan's ordinary every-day little expeditions to the city.Finally Miss Clegg withdrew her hand, straightened out the resultantwrinkles in her mitt, and stalked away. Mrs. Lathrop sighed sadly,returned to her own rocker, and entered upon the course of a long dayof patient waiting.

  It was about three in the afternoon that, to her great surprise, shesaw Miss Clegg returning. There was something altogether new andstrange in the gait of the latter while she was at a distance, and asshe drew nearer Mrs. Lathrop's eyes and mouth opened together. Thenearer that Susan drew the more provocative of astonishment was hergeneral appearance. To sum up the whole state of the case in as fewwords as possible, I will say that she seemed to have barely survivedsome hitherto totally unknown species of catastrophe. Mrs. Lathrop,much overcome, ran to the door and cried,--

  "Come over! I've got the kettle--"

  "I was comin' anyhow," Susan called feebly back, and wearily draggingherself through the gate, along the walk, and up the steps, sank downfinally in one of the kitchen chairs.

  Mrs. Lathrop hastened to fortify her with hot tea and gingerbread. Sheate and drank in silence for some time, only volunteering, as she tookthe third cup,--

  "I ain't had nothin' since I left home."

  "Didn't you find your--" Mrs. Lathrop began eagerly.

  "Cousin?" said the traveller, in a tone that suggested revelations asyet unrevealed,--"oh, yes, Mrs. Lathrop, I found my cousin."

  Mrs. Lathrop felt herself to be silenced, and spoke no more. MissClegg drank all the tea and ate all the gingerbread. Then, when therewas nothing else left to do, she declared herself satisfied, andfixing her gaze mercilessly upon the quaking listener, discharged herfirst shot.

  "I wish I'd never gone!"

  This statement was made with a vigor that supported its truth in full.Mrs. Lathrop quivered slightly, and waited breathlessly to hear more.

  "I wish I'd never gone, 'n' for the future, Mrs. Lathrop, I'll thankyou to never so much 's breathe a relation anywhere near me, for I'vehad enough family to-day to last me from here to Gabriel 'n' histrumpet, 'n' 'f I ever forget this hour may I die in that one."

  Mrs. Lathrop gasped.

  Susan coughed and gripped her hands tightly together.

  "Mrs. Lathrop, the Bible says 's we may never know what a day 'llbring forth, 'n' 'f I'd 'a' known that this day was gettin' ready tohatch such a Cousin Marion 's I found, I certainly would 'a' spent itsome other way. When I think o' the cheerful lovin' spirit 's I pinnedmy wave on in, 'n' then reflect on what I pinned it on to, I can't butfeel 't if I ain't a fool I 'd ought to be one, 'n' I can't saynothin' stronger for the way I feel. They say 's the Devil 's thefather o' lies, but it's a slander. The Devil is a floatin' angel bythe side o' that letter 's I found. It was a lie, Mrs. Lathrop, a liefrom first to last, 'n' it makes my blood run cold to think o' all theyears that I lived right underneath it 'n' never 's much 's dreamed o'the iniquity up in that old trunk over my head."

  Mrs. Lathrop gasped again.

  "Mrs. Lathrop, I never had it in me to conceal nothin' from you. We'vebeen good friends 'n' true through thick 'n' thin, through my father'n' your son 'n' every other species o' Heaven-sent infliction, f'ryears 'n' years 'n' years. 'N' now I ain't goin' to shut you out o'the inside truth o' this awful day. You see me set off this mornin'bright 'n' beamin', 'n' you see me come home this night burnin' 'n'bitter, 'n' it's nothin' but right's you sh'd be fully took in to thebetwixt 'n' between. It'll mebbe be a lesson to you some day ifanythin' sh'd come up 's led you to look to be extra happy all of asudden, 'n' you'll remember this hour 'n' jus' firmly go back into thehouse 'n' shut the door 'n' say, 'Life's a delusion 'n' a snare, likeSusan Clegg's Cousin Marion.' It's better for you to learn the lesson's all is vanity now, than to wait 'n' have it fall on your head likea unexpected pickle-jar, the way 's this day 's fell on mine."

  Mrs. Lathrop's eyes grew big.

  "Mrs. Lathrop, in the first place I started out all wrong. Knoxvilleain't on this line a _tall_. It's on the A. 'n' B., 'n' only thejunction is on this line. Mrs. Lathrop, don't you never trust yourselfto no junction in this world o' sin 'n' sorrow, whatever else you mayin your folly see fit to commit. My experience c'n jus' 's well be awarnin' to you too, f'r I was put off three mil
es from where thereain't no omnibus, 'n' I had to leg it over a road 's is laid out threehills to the mile. I ain't one 's is give to idle words, but I willremark 't by the time I'd clum the fourth hill I hadn't no kind o'family feelin's left alive within me, 'n' when I did finally get toKnoxville I was so nigh to puffed out 't I c'd hardly find breath toask where Cousin Marion _did_ live. It was a boy skippin' rope 's Iasked, 'n' he never quit skippin' for one second out o' politeness.Seems he was doin' a thousand steady on a bet, 'n' I'm free to confess's I felt pretty foolish askin' questions 'n' his rope like to catchon my nose every other word. I finally made out, though, 's CousinMarion lived out the other end o' town, 'n' so I walked on till I cometo the road. Mrs. Lathrop, it was another road o' hills, 'n' I mustsay 's the sight made my blood run cold for the third time in one day.F'r a minute I thought seriously o' jus' takin' a train away ag'in 'n'lettin' Cousin Marion fiddle alone f'r another fifty years, f'r I giveyou my word o' honor, Mrs. Lathrop, 's I was 'most dead, 'n' Lord onlyknows what made me keep on, f'r what came after was enough to shake myfaith in the Lord forever 'f I really believed 's any one but CousinMarion had one word to say in the matter. But I was raised to finishup all things 's is begun, 'n' I snapped my teeth tight together 'n'set out over them extra hills with all the resignation 's I c'd scrapeup f'r the need o' the moment. I was hot inside 'n' hot outside, butI'd made up my mind to see the thing through 'n' so I pegged rightalong.

  "Well, Mrs. Lathrop, 'f I was on the witness stand with Bibles above'n' below, I c'd n't but swear 's it was two miles 'f it was a cent.'N' even then they was a long two miles. I was on my very last legswhen I got there, 'n' nothin' 't I see revived me none. Mrs. Lathrop,the awfullest old tumble-down house 's ever you see--pigs in the yard,'n' 'Prim' on the gate-post! 'N' me standin' pantin' for breath, 'n'related to 'em all!"

  Mrs. Lathrop's eyes grew bigger and bigger.

  "There was a old man a-sittin' on a chair on the porch in one boot 'n'one slipper 'n' a cane. He looked 't me 's if it 'd be nothin' but ajoy to him to eat me up alive 'n' jus' relish to gnaw the bonesafterwards. You c'n maybe realize, Mrs. Lathrop, 's I wasn't no wayshappy 's I walked a little piece up towards him 'n' said 's I 'd liketo see my cousin, Marion Prim. He give such a nod 's seemed 's if hishead 'd fly off, 'n' I took it 's she was somewhere near 'n' a-comin'.So, 's I was all used up, I jus' started to sink right down on thesteps to wait for her.

  "Oh, my soul 'n' body, that minute!--The awful shock!--Oh, Mrs.Lathrop! you never in all your life dreamed such a yell 's he give! Ilike to 'a' went deaf! I jumped worse 'n 'f I 'd been shot stone-dead.Wild whoopin' Indians was sleepin' babes beside him. 'Not on mysteps!' he shrieked, poundin' with his cane 'n' shakin' with hisfist,--'not on my steps,' he howled louder 'n all below,--'not while I'm alive!--not while I c'n prevent!--not while I c'n help it!--noClegg sits afore me, not now 'n' not never!' You c'n imagine, Mrs.Lathrop, 's I didn't get very far to sat down under themcircumstances. I trembled all over, 'n' I backed off quite a littleways 'n' looked at him. He kept chokin' 'n' gaspin' 'n' purple 'n'swallowin', 'n' after a while I got up courage to ask him where CousinMarion was. 'N' then--oh, Mrs. Lathrop!--'n' then--well, honest, Ithought's he was goin' to bust!--'n' then, 'I'm Cousin Marion!' heyelled right in my face,--'I'm Cousin Marion, Susan Clegg!' 'n' atthat, Mrs. Lathrop, I went so faint in my knees 'n' so rumbly in myears 't you c'd 'a' clubbed me with a straw 'n' gagged me with a wispo' hay that minute. I jus' stood starin', 'n' you c'n believe me ornot just's you please, but I never was so nigh to fallen overbackwards in all my life before. I c'd feel cold drops like water on aduck's back, 'n' my senses was that mixed 't 'f you'd told me 's myheels was in my hair I wouldn't 'a' doubted you. I d'n' know 's I everwas scared in all my life afore, but when he screamed them awfulwords, my very insides got clammy. I c'd n't say a livin' word, I c'dn't make a livin' move; I c'd only stand 'n' shake 'n' listen, 'n' himkeepin' on yellin' 'n' poundin' like mad.

  "'Susan Clegg,' he screamed, 'Susan Clegg,'--'n' he kep' poundin'harder 'n' harder 'n' gettin' redder 'n' redder every minute,--'SusanClegg, I'm glad you've come; I've wanted you to come; I've wanted youto come f'r a long time. I did n't know who it'd be, but I 've beenwantin' somebody to come 'n' been waitin' f'r 'em to come f'r fiftyyears 'n' more too. I've been holdin in f'r fifty years! I've beenthinkin' what I wanted to say f'r fifty years! Now I c'n say it! Now Ic'n be happy sayin' it! I wish it was your father's ears a-shiverin'there afore me, but yours 'll do.'

  "My heavens alive, Mrs. Lathrop, you'd ought to 'a' seen him! He wentfrom red to purple 'n' from purple to mos' black, 'n' his eyes stoodright out, 'n' he shook his cane right in my face 'n' screamed loudenough to set the dead jumpin'.

  "'Susan Clegg, your father was a shark! Susan Clegg, your father was askinflint! Susan Clegg, your father was a miser! Susan Clegg, yourfather was a thief!' 'n' all this with me where I c'dn't but hear,Mrs. Lathrop, 'n' he must 'a' known it too. 'Susan Clegg, I was ayoung man in difficulties,' he says, ''n' I wanted a hunderd dollarsbad,' he says, ''n' 'f I'd had it I c'd 'a' bought into a nicebusiness 'n' married a nice girl with a nice property 'n' made thisplace blossom like a wilderness 'n' seen the fig-trees o' my fig-treessittin' in my shade. 'N' I went to your father, 'n' I told him all theinmost recesses o' my heart o' hearts,' he says, ''n' 'xplained to himhow 'n' why 'n' wherefore the business c'dn't but pay, 'n' then tookhim to see the girl 'n' p'inted out all her good p'ints, 'n' thenasked him to lend me the hunderd dollars, 'n' hired a livery horse 'n'drove him home to think about it. 'N' what followed after, SusanClegg,'--oh, Mrs. Lathrop, I never see the like o' the way he suddenlyswelled 'n' blued right then!--''n' what come next? I waited the waito' the innocent 'n' trustin' for one long 'n' unremittin' week, 'n'then, when I was nigh to mad with sittin' on red-hot needles by day'n' by night without let or hindrance, what did he answer?--what didhe answer to him 's laid in the hollow o' his hand, confidin' fully'n' freely in his seein' what a good investment it 'd be? What did heanswer, Susan Clegg? He answered 's he c'd n't do it, 'n' 's it wasn't no possible use whatever to ask him again! Susan Clegg, I smasheda winder,' he says, 'right then 'n' there,' he says, ''n' I writ aletter 'n' it must 'a' been that letter 's you found, f'r I never writhim no other afore or after. 'N' then I went West to make my fortune'n' I did n't make no fortune, but I got my hands on a hunderd dollars'n' I come home lickety-split to buy that business 'n' marry thatgirl. I went first to see about the business 's it was right 'n'natural 't I sh'd, 'n' what did I find, Susan Clegg, what did I find?'Mrs. Lathrop, I never see the like in all my days, born or unborn. Ithought he'd yell my head off. 'I found your father'd bought thebusiness, my business, 'n' I was left out in the freezin', icy cold!Susan Clegg, I smashed a table,' he says, ''n' two chairs,' he says,''n' I went to see the girl 'n' ask her to wait a little longer,--'n',Fire 'n' Brimstone 'n' Saltpetre, 'f your father hadn't gone 'n'married the girl,--my girl!

  "''N' there was all below to pay,' he says, ''n' I vowed bloodymurder,' he says, ''n' they had me up 'n' bound me over to keep thepeace, 'n' then they moved away. 'N' I sat down to wait f'r myvengeance,' he says, ''n' I've waited fifty years,' he says. 'I'vespent fifty years grindin' my teeth 'n' whettin' the edge o' my fury,'n' now--'

  "Mrs. Lathrop, I didn't wait to hear no more. I didn't feel like I hadstrength to. I run. 'N', heavens, _how_ I run! I lit out like I waspaid for it, 'n' I bet I clum every last one o' them hills 's fast onthe up 's the down. When I got to the station there was a train jus'pullin' out f'r I didn't know where, 'n' I hopped aboard like I wasshot. It took me to Meadville, 'n' I had to pay the 'xtra fare 'n'wait two hours to get another back here, 'n' I ain't really halfthrough shakin' yet."

  Susan stopped, took out her handkerchief and carefully passed it overher brow as one who strives to brush away tormenting visions.

  Mrs. Lathrop sat mute and motionless, completely overwhelmed by therecital of her friend's tragic story.

  After a few minutes Miss Clegg put her handkerchief back in her pocketand turned a sad and sole
mn, yet tender look upon her companion.

  "Lord knows I'm done with relations from this day on," she said slowlybut with great distinctness. "I feel like hereafter I'll be contentwith jus' you, Mrs. Lathrop, 'n' I can't say nothin' stronger f'r whatI've jus' lived through."

  Mrs. Lathrop's eyes filled with gratitude at this compliment.

  But she said nothing.