I We wear out life, alas! Distracted as a homeless wind, In beating where we must not pass, In seeking what we shall not find. T was a dismal scene the next morning. The house was an island, and all things that could float-small coops, chips, brush-were bobbing up and down against the fences, and tapping like persistent ghosts against the house. The fowls that had gone to roost in the loft of the stable were making a great noise, and Hannah laughed as she heard them. "I'll git Dock to ride out an' feed 'em." As she spoke she heard a cheerful “Git up, Bess," and a splashing as Dock rode up to the piazza. The flood seemed to throw Mrs. Warren into a pleasant excitement. She pottered about sweeping out the chips, looking at the hens, and measuring the rise of the water, until Si's voice called from the high road. Hannah's heart sank. She was not summoned, however, but when she took Mr. Warren's dinner in she saw that there was trouble. She nodded to Si, but he paid no heed, and he and Mrs. Warren went to dinner in silence. "Si's been done powerful mean," Mr. Warren said, "they've gin him the po'res' heff o' ever'thing. The Budds done hit. They app'inted Reub Budd to choose fur Dave, an' Slocum for Si. Si says Slocum hed mostly first ch'ice, but tuck the wust every time. Si says Minervy hed Slocum paid. Thar is onjestice been done, an' trouble'll come. Heaper Si's lan' is in thet ole graveyard, an' he says he's gwine to plough hit up kase thar's Budds an' Slocums buried thar." Hannah looked at her grandfather in horror. "Who'd eat thet corn, Gramper? dead folks' corn!" "Hit's awful; but Si's sot on doin' hit. Surely these is the last days, Hannah, an' folks ain't got no feelin's fur nothin'—no insides o' any kind leff." "Hev you hearn, Hannah?" Mrs. Warren asked when she and Si returned from the kitchen, "how they've cheated Si?" "Yes, Granny, hit's bad. But them Budds don't look straight." "If I jest live long enough," Si said, 'I'll sp'ile Minervy. Thar's lots of ways to do hit. I'll ruin any pusson what goes aginst me-" looking straight in Hannah's eyes. All Mrs. Warren's excitement forsook her after this. The sun came out, Mr. Warren foretold good weather, and the water began to recede, but nothing roused her from her angry silence. The Durkets were being overrun by the Budds. The ploughing up of the graveyard was rather awful, but anything else that Si could do for revenge would be justifiable, and the worse the better. She did not tell what Si had hinted in the way of retaliation. The trapping of rabbits to be turned into Minerva's garden-the rotten rails that Dave's own hogs could root away, and gain a night in the potatoes and corn— the mixture that would make hogs seem to die of cholera. There was much that patience could accomplish, and if Dave put up corn, or 'roughness,' or meat that year it would be a surprisingly small quantity. All this had been outlined during dinner. Mrs. Warren brooded over it, but did not tell it, for she felt that her husband and Hannah were quite capable of warning Dave. At supper Dock told some strange news to Mrs. Warren, reporting the talk about Si's house and the bad division of the things. For a time they did not hear any more of Si's plans meanwhile the water subsided and things were replaced; but of course the crop was injured, the more so as there came a freeze while all was wet, and the apple and peach trees looked as if they had been boiled. It was a very bad season, and Mr. Warren's rheumatism increased day by day. It was hard on Hannah, and Lizer Wilson, returning from Sewanee, leaned over the fence to talk to the girl, who was milking, thinking to hear some complaints. 66 Hit's a hard time we're agoin' to hev," Lizer began. "Thar ain't much bo'ders come to Sewanee outside the students; an' tradin'll be sca'ce." "Thet'll be hard on you, Lizer," Mrs. Warren said, coming out to the fence. "Hit'll be hard on heapser folks," Lizer answered, "but if Hannah'll keep Dock in work-" with a leer in her eyes. Mrs. Warren withered the leer with a glance. "Work'll be sca'ce, too," she said. "An' they do say," Lizer went on, quickly, "thet the flood over to Durket's were the wust thet ever was. Hit muster skeered the rabbits, kase Jane Harner says thet the sight o' them as were ketched in Dave's garden wornt never seen afore; an' hit were eat off clean as youun's han'." "Thet's a jedgment on Minervy Budd fur cheatin' Si," said Mrs. Warren. "Hit looks thet away," Lizer assented. "An' thar ain't a nigger thet'll stay thar over-night kase o' the hant. An' t'other night they hearn a great miration in the chicken house, an' ther they ketched two critters eatin' jest ever'thing; thar wornt no nestesses leff." "Thar hit is again," commented Mrs. Warren. "Hit's a jedgment; an' if you'll watch, Lizer Wilson, you'll see thet Minervy Budd won't save nothin' this year." "Hit do look thet away. Jane Harner says thet water never hurt Si, kase hit wasted hitself on Dave. An' Si's garden is good, an' some o' hisn's corn is s'prisin' high." "Whar 'bouts?" "In the the best corn is in the ole graveyard." "Who'll want thet ?" cried Hannah. "Folks away won't know no difference," Lizer answered, "ner cattle at home." They're mad as fire, but they're fear'd, kase all the valley knows they done Si a onjestice." Hannah shook her head. nowise skuse Si," she said. Minervy adoin'? " "Thet don't "An' what's "They do say she's pestered to death. What with the niggers 'fusin' to stay thar, an' the chickens bein' eat up, an' the garden gone, an' the water awashin' everything, she's too much to stand. Folks don't favor her much, nohow." "She ain't nothin' to favor," struck in Mrs. Warren. "Mighty nigh true," Lizer assented. "An' they do say Si's house is tastey; but he's skeerder what he's done, an' he's drinkin' hard, Jane says. You ought to go over thar, Mrs. Warren." 66 "You're right," was answered, with surprising mildness. 'An' I'll try to git to go." Then Lizer went her way. Ain't you sorry, Granny?" 66 'Sorry, gal? Hit's done done, an' I ain't agoin' back on my own," Mrs. Warren answered, "an' I ain't afeard to go an' stay in Si's house. Gravestones or no gravestones, I'm agoin'. An' I wants to see Minervy Budd pestered-pestered to death-please God." Time wore on, and after a long absence, Lizer brought a message from Si that he was coming to fetch Mrs. Warren and Hannah. Lizer also told how the hogs had ruined Dave's potatoes, and that there was some strange disease among Dave's hogs. "An' the jedgment is so sure that folks is skeered." Si, on the contrary, flourished; but people did not seek his company, and he wanted Mrs. Warren's aid in a social way. "Si need not ax me," Hannah said, "I ain't agoin' to no sich place." Yes," she answered. "You have done a bad sin, ploughin' up dead folks, an' I ain't acomin'." There was a moment's silence, then Si raised his hand to heaven. "'Fore God, Hannah, I'll make you sorry," he said. He shook his finger in her face. "Thar's one mo chance I'll gie you, an' if you 'fuses thet, the Lord'll hev to he'p you fur the talk I'll raise." "I don't want no mo chance, Si, an' the Lord will he'p me." Then Mrs. Warren called, and Hannah went in. :-a ain't acomin' to my house?" the pupils old woman slept too heavily to be roused of his eyes contracting. by hants'; but Jane Harner heard noises like fleeing footsteps and hushed oaths! She wrapped her head in the blanket :'hant' that cursed and trampled like cattle was too awful! Cows got into Dave's corn that night. Some of the top rails of the fence were old, and were broken where they jumped in. In the morning Dave was in despair, and Mrs. Warren and Si enjoyed his misfortune as only near relatives could. Many neighbors came in that day to see Mrs. Warren. She escorted them about gladly, calling on all to witness that she had slept soundly. Hot grog finished the second evening also, and though Mrs. Warren was tremulous when she reached home the next day, she could triumphantly deny the 'hants,' much to Hannah's discomfort. Not long after this, on a fair, fresh day, that made one glad to live, Si came over. Mr. Warren, whose rheumatism had gone, was in the garden, Hannah was at the wash-tub, and Mrs. Warren on the front piazza. Mrs. Warren was to spend two nights at Si's house. She went off with a brave front, but was much relieved to find that Jane Harner and her oldest daughter were to be there to do the work, and that Dave and Minerva were to receive her. This last bit of news pleased her, for she had come to enjoy Minerva's ill-luck quite as much as Si's house. Underneath all, however, was honest loyalty to the Durkets. She hoped that by staying in the house she could do away with the stories of "hants," and take from Hannah a strong argument against Si. If Hannah could adduce a "hant" all the world would support her against Si and the ploughed graveyard and desecrated gravestones. Whereas great prosperity and genial "freehandedness" might obliterate all, if there were not a "hant" and an obstinate girl to remind people. Mrs. Warren was delighted with everything. There was no sign of the old graveyard; instead, a field of the finest corn she had seen. She looked furtively at the foundations of the house, but the stones were so neatly built together that no one would think of gravestones in connection with them. The house was neatly finished, and painted, papered, and furnished with a gaudiness that enchanted Mrs. Warren. She and Si walked home with Dave and Minerva that afternoon, and while at the old house Mrs. Warren called attention to all the points of superiority in Si's house and farm. She sympathized cheerfully with Minerva's misfortunes, pointing out the judgment in it all so clearly that Minerva felt that for her the last great day had come and gone. Si and Mrs. Warren sat late over the fire that night, and finishing with hot grog the "I'm come to see Hannah," Si said. "The house is done, an if she's acomin' I wants to know. This is the last chence I'm agoin' to give her, an' thet's p'int blank." Mrs. Warren's eyes flashed. "If you wants the gal, Si Durket, thet ain't no way to talk, an' Hannah ain't gwine to tuck hit." She kin please herself," Si said, doggedly, "but hit's her last chence." You're a fool!" and, knocking the ashes from her pipe, Mrs. Warren rose. "I'll call her, an' I'll talk to her; but I ain't agoin' to hev no fits ner no 'sputin'. You must 'member, Si Durket, thet you ain't got but heff o' what you hed. Jest heff o' farm, an' piece o' thet graveyard. An' I wants you to know thet hit makes a difference to me, anyhow. Not to Hannah, kase she's sich a fool she'd tuck you 'thout nothin', if so be she hed a favor to you. If you'll keep quiet, I'll keep on a talkin' to her right stiddy 'bout hit, an' bime by she mout tuck you." Si's face grew more sullen. His aunt was right. He was worth only half as much as was expected, and had become, besides, a marked man. Mrs. Warren waited; she knew that she had him at a great disadvantage. But Si made no acknowledgment of this; he brooded for a few moments, then repeated: "Hit's the last chence." Mrs. Warren hesitated. Was he in earnest? Would it be wiser to persuade him or to call Hannah and let her teach his pride a lesson? She called, and the girl came reluctantly, wiping her hands on her apron. Greeting Si quietly, Hannah stood silent. One moment the trio waited, then Si spoke. I promised I'd come again, Hannah," he said, "an' I'm come. What word is thar fur me?" "An' you'd better gie him a good word," Mrs. Warren struck in. H'll gie you time to steddy 'bout hit, if you axes hit. I'm agittin' tired o' this foolishness, an' I ain't agoin' to hev hit. The nice new house awaitin'," she urged, alarmed at the realization of the dangerous state of thingsthat the new house and furniture, that Minerva's complete defeat, that possibly the future of the Durkets, hung in the balance. "An' ever'thing so handy, an' Minervy nigh dead kase hit ain't hern. Now mind what you say, gal, an' gie youun's cousin a good word; fur God knows what we'll do 'ginst the winter." Hannah glanced apprehensively at her grandmother, but as the old woman went on, half cajoling, half threatening, she turned her face away and looked down the little valley. "I ain't never hed but one word fur Si," she said, still looking far away; "an' he knows thet word; an' you knows thet word; an' I'll set my life 'gainst the winter." Si turned on his heel and walked away with a look in his eyes that startled the old woman. Would he kill the girl some time when she was away from the house? "Si!" she called-" Si!"—but he paid no heed, and mounting his horse, dashed straight up the hillside. Then Mrs. Warren turned on Hannah, and for the first time in her life Hannah realized what awful things words could be. Abused, taunted, cursed, insulted, lashed past endurance by the vulgar fury of the old woman's tongue, she turned a white face and blazing eyes on her persecutor. "Thet's enough," she said, in a low tone. "Youun's words hev set me free, an' I'm agoin'." "I can't, Gramper," and, trembling with excitement, she went back to her work. Mrs. Warren's words burned in her ears; dreadful words she had never heard before. If her grandmother could say such things, what could not Si say? and he had threatened her. Her one thought was to get away from them. She would go to Sewanee and get work. She was sorry to leave her grandfather; but she could not stay where such things were said to her. While she worked through the long day with feverish nervousness, she matured her plans, and a determination once reached, she felt happier, even though her pillow was wet with tears when she fell asleep. "Hannah!" and old Mr. Warren laid what set me free. I'll send 'em all the his hand on her shoulder. "Tuck thet back, chile!" money; but I won't live thar any mo'. I can't." "If you are in earnest," Agnes said, "I want a girl. Can you wait on table?" Hannah looked puzzled. "You mean set a table? I dunno if I knows youun's ways, but I kin larn." Come in then and we will talk about it." Max lifted his cap. "I will see you later, Miss Agnes," he said. Then to Hannah. "I think I will go this very day." to Lost Cove Old Mr. Warren and his son had impressed Max when he met them as being so thoroughly good. And the handsome face of the son was the saddest he had ever seen. That his daughter should offer herself as a servant was an unknown thing in her grade of life. Sometimes a native would go into service, but never of Hannah's class. He wondered what had driven her to it. The girl and her story interested him, and he decided to go to Lost Cove and solve the little mystery. It was a charming day for the walk, and he might do some good. Meanwhile Hannah and Agnes had settled terms, and Hannah was to come the next day. But their relations seemed to have changed, and without being told Hannah went out by the back door. Miss Welling had been very clear and decided in the statement of Hannah's duties, but her voice had been kind, and her terms liberal, and afterward she had smiled pleasantly and hoped that Hannah would like her new home. What had made Hannah for the first time leave the house by the back door? The girl puzzled over this question as she rode. The level road being done, Hannah gathered up the bridle for the rough descent, and saw Max Dudley. "You have caught me," he said; "I am glad, for your grandmother might not be pleased to see me." "I reckon she will; she mostly likes comp'ny." Max laid his hand on her bridle, and they journeyed on together. "Do you think you will like being a servant?' how hit'll be, but it can't be no harder 'an Granny." "What made her so angry?" "Kase I won't marry my cousin, Si Durket." The color rushed into the girl's face. "I can't do that; no, sir; I'll be a nigger fust." "And your grandfather?" Gramper don't favor Si." They had come down the mountain quite rapidly while they talked, and were now at the Warrens' gate, where Lizer Wilson leaned, talking to Mrs. Warren. The conversation ceased as Hannah and Dudley appeared, and Lizer smiled as Max helped the girl off the horse, instead of leading the horse to the fence and allowing her to climb down, as was the valley custom. Mrs. Warren looked pleased, but Lizer, knowing the differences that obtained at Sewanee, smiled a smile that vocalized itself while Dock ate his dinner. "What kin you say fur youun's great Hannah Warren," she began, 66 acomin' down the mountain 'longer University boy, an' him aleadin' ole Bess like Hannah couldn't ride a nag. An aheppin' her off like she were hisn's woman, an' a mile o' fence right thar whar any right kinder gal woulder clum down. An' ole Mrs. Warren so proud, like Hannah hed done met up alonger her ekals. An' him-Dudley's hisn's name—takin' of hisn's hat, an' bowin' an' shuckin' han's like he does up to the University womens. Gosh! But he jest nods hisn's head to me. I knows mor'n he thinks I knows 'bout him, akeepin' comp'ny alonger that Agnes Wellin' up yander. She holds herself mighty high; an' if she do tuck Hannah to the parlor, an' sen's me to the kitchen, taint kase she 'lows Hannah's her ekal. Gosh!" but Hannah Warren'll be as low down as Lizer Wilson soon." "I'll kill her fust!" Dock's face had grown very white under Lizer's fire of innuendo. He had not spoken, for that would have made things worse; but his anger broke bounds at last, and it was with infinite scorn that he looked on his father's wife and said—" I'll kill her fust." Lizer rose, too, her low face contracting with fury. "You'll kill her fust, will you! 'Fore God, I'll make hit so you'll want to, I knows how to hurt you, Dock Wilson, an' I'll do hit or die! Jest wait-wait!" and she shook her fist in his face. |