Dorothy at Skyrie

answer to his ill-advised jest of an

y the latter, an assorted lot of pigs mingled with the other quadrupeds, squealing, twi

an accident was imminent. Their driver had made to pass directly through the assembly before Skyrie gate, leaving it

retreat, over the way he had just come. This saved the situation, so far as an upset was concerned, and he did not again draw rein till well away from

difficulty than he had found in entering it, for he was suddenly upon the ground, his crutches u

man had built. Amusement, surprise, and anxiety chased one another across her mobile old features, and with a sudden movement she turned upon Mrs. Chester, crying excitedly: "Wel

re!" and who could only gasp, through her astonishment: "It's that advertisement. A 'joke' of

ur lives!" laughed Mrs. Betty, who felt and declared that: "I haven't had so muc

ed that foolish thing. I-what shall we do? How possibly get rid of

now and some distance down the road. But they had observed Mr. Chester's swift departure houseward, and had se

. Calvert, clutching Mrs. Chester's arm to keep herself from slipping downward from the bank into the briars below. Then suddenly again exclaiming: "Look at that child! She's carrying water in a pitcher. She's making h

hat amazed Mrs. Chester, active though she herself was. Indeed, the girl had to slacken her speed in order not to spill all the water from the pitch

hich the water had been brought and the rusty tin cup in which it was offered; Dorothy having seized the utensils alwa

reshing draught, and it was Mrs. Calvert's voice which

oad toward your place and I was absorbed with my new-old neighbors' affairs. Deerhurst is nearer

d once declared she would never willingly know. Only the slightest reluctance accompanied her words. She had intended calling upon the Chesters in their home and upon having a plain business talk with "Johnnie." However, fr

it upwards. Also, after graciously sipping a few drops of the refreshing water, she accepted for herself and mother-it was always Helena who settled such matters-that most gratifying invitation to the m

round by the entrance as for me to go across lots, through the woods. I will meet you at the door. Good-by,

d by the occupants of the carriage. But, having bestowed this light caress, the nimble old lady gathered up her skirts and struck into a footpath running beneath the trees, where every w

at a half-dozen different men were saying at once. Her keen eyes scanned the odd collection of beasts with an ever increasing amusement, though she lif

d if a man's goin' to star

things more times 'an it's years old-and that's sayin' consid'able!" interrupted a second trader, as the first one edged into the do

one retorted w

an that trades hosses, or buys one outright, off Bill gets left ev

is sally a third man called ove

ney o' mine. New milker with a calf still beside her-purty as a picture, the pair of 'em, and dirt cheap. R

h and all at once as each demanded; but the affair was too much for him, who was always so ready to see the funny sid

had come to sell had seen the absurdity of the situation, and each new arrival of pig, cow, or horse, had caused an outburst of momentary mirth. Yet, hitherto, under this passing amusement

and, before another moment passed, the laughter which the master of Skyrie had started was echoed from man

not settled more important matters. The buying and selling had yet

out the good points of a horse or a cow than a babe unborn, and your mother

ting owners of the various animals held their mome

u did advertise for them, you know, and you ought to take one of each k

all right. Martha has

then let's begin with the pigs. They act the meanest of all t

r says. To eat

office, you know; and let mother look them all over and choose the one she wants. When we get through the pigs the rest of the pig-men will go away, and th

treat, thus leaving her more inexperienced husband to the mercy of possibly un

ill examine the pigs first, and in order, with lowest price stated at once.

ractical business which caused her husband to silently clap his hands a

t have done better if you'd

his pig before another had a chance. Result: seven specimens of swine, in varying degrees of fatness, were forced into the inclosure; wh

airs of the cottage, where she felt quite safe, although one inquisitive porker did plant its fore

drive of any that lives. Next time I have a pig t

ed a good scrubbing before being taken to Skyrie, and whose skin looked pink and clean beneath its white bristles. She was asked a larger price than was quite just, as all the other dealers knew, but as all likewis

hn remarked was "quite a lull in t

utest little calf tied to it! Oh! do let's have the calf any way even if we don't the cow. It's

t was noticeable that nobody crowded forward when, at a nod from Mr. Chester, the prop

ffered them had a most benignant countenance. He seemed to possess the respect and

end Martha. She is of good pedigree, as I can show thee if thee will step over to my mill and look

alas! The demon of possession had seized her! The fact that the porcine "beauty" already tied to her barn was her own roused all her old farm-born instinct for "stock," and though she hesitated she did not say "No.

mpter; yet his very next words proved temptation to John and Martha Cheste

e maid yonder, I will bind the bargain by giving her the calf, free of charge. I do not like to separate moth

t can be easily surmised. Sufficient to state that very shortly afterward the broad-brimmed hat of Oliver Sand