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That is, it goes a good way back, clean to the old Squire's time no such a Squire as Pettijohn, forename James, mind ye but a good, high-sprung, old-fashioned gentleman; with high-up English blood in his veins, an' a reg'lar English temper to balance the blood. Never did a dirty trick in his life nor an unjust one except to his own and only son.
An' if Squire Pettijohn is mean enough an' onfeelin' enough to treat him like he vowed he would ary tramp, 'even his own son, I guess we can let the Lord 'tend to him. He wouldn't know another day's peace, not if he's human; 'cause once that mis'able creatur', no matter what he is now, was a baby a baby in arms. But my suz, Eunice! I've just figured it out! How can the Squire 'rest anybody?
The Widow Sprigg had long since dried her unaccountable tears, and was freshly indignant at the state of affairs. So soon as they were within doors she turned upon the intruder, and demanded: "What did you mean by such doin's as these, Nate Pettijohn? Ain't you ashamed to destroy folkses prope'ty this way? Where's my log-cabin quilt? My pillows? All my things?"
I Why, I don't know but I might be induced to take it off your hands myself, just to do a friendly deed to an old schoolmate." Squire Pettijohn had managed to stem the tide of her garrulity long enough to interpose this speech of his own, and to act upon an idea which had just occurred to him.
Alfaretta had frankly hated him, and had never been more thankful than when she was assigned to Madam Sturtevant rather than to Mrs. Pettijohn both ladies having entered application for a "bound-out" servant at the very same time.
Squire Pettijohn coughed, and strode majestically forward. He was once more the man of position who must see to it that his townsmen's interests were protected. This woman had maligned him. He had heard that she complained of his usuries, that he had taken advantage of her misfortunes, that he was a hard and cruel man. Worst of all to him had said that he was not a gentleman!
Let us not talk of him. They never did. Where he was or how, his old mother could only guess. Then Elizabeth died and there was just them two Madam an' Montgomery left in the Mansion. Every year she let Jim Pettijohn get a tighter clutch on the property, till, as I tell ye, he prob'ly owns all. "That's all of Monty's father.
Then, when everybody run off, he set down on the red plush sofa that was now in place, relighted a cigar that smelled like it had gone out three days before, and grinned at me in an excited manner. "Your little friend is a find," he says. "Mark my words, Mrs. Pettijohn, she's got a future or I don't know faces.
Three for Montgomery Sturtevant, who's never going to do a wrong thing again, because he's found a father to talk about and love, just as I do 'Johnny, who was mine! Three cheers for Nate Pettijohn, who brought the good news home! Three cheers for the brass bound box, that tried to be a gold mine, but turned out something ever and ever so much better!
Everybody, girl or boy, who wants Uncle Moses to be constable must take a cranberry out one basket and drop it into the other; and those who don't drop cranberries can't have ice-cream!" Squire Pettijohn had come in a case of general town interest as this seemed to be it was important the great man should be present and it was he who cried so loudly: "Hear!
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