Northern Arizona State Teachers College - La Cuesta Yearbook (Flagstaff, AZ)

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It was good to lie down and to know she was at her jour- ney's end. Faintly, far away, she could hear someone mov- ing about in the next room. Then she heard Dave come. It roused her and she raised up on one elbow, then sat bolt upright as a shrill voice challenged Dave. So this is what you've brought home for a wife, is it? Looks like I had enough to do without you bringin' a girl like that here for me to take care of. What's the matter with her? Dave's voice was harsh and demanding. The matter with her, sputtered the old woman, Good land! She ain't done a day's work in her life! Look at her hands! Look at them arms, and she's that done out gettin' here she ain't got good sense. How do you expect a girl like her to keep up with the work on this homestead ? Oh, now Ma, she's a right plucky little kid. She'll do her part, I guess. She's got to. And then Dave tramped out. Molly sank back stunned. She's got to, sang over and over in her aching head. Suddenly she slipped out of bed to her feet. If she had to, she might as well begin now! Ma gave her a sharp glance as she came into the room. If you'll tell me where to wash my hands I'l1 help you. You heard then ? The old woman looked up from the fry- ing pan. Molly did not answer the question, but asked again where to wash. Now you sit down and rest yourself. You got lots of time to help. I never aimed that you should hear that, and I hope you won't take no offense. But it's a God's truth that there's a mighty lot of heavy work on this place, and I ain't so blind but what I can see you ain't used to it. In the days that followed Molly learned what heavy, back- wearying labor was. She had never dreamed that anyone could get so tired as each night found her. If only Dave had not taken it so much as a matter of course, taking it for granted that she was as happy in their little home as he. One night in the early autumn Dave came to the supper ta- ble late. 'Tm going to town tomorrow, Molly, he said as he took his seat. I'll be gone about five days. Remember the red hogs in the corner pen have to be fed double, because it'll soon be time to kill. Something in Molly's aching head snapped. This was the straw that broke the camel's back. She rose from her chair and steadied herself against the table. Who, she said even- ly, do you think is going to feed those hogs? She says for you to come and drive the team home. They he rose and drew himself to his full height. You, Molly, are going to feed those hogs while I'm gone. I don't ask you to do it while I'm here. Ma pushed back her chair and went out on the porch. The two remainded standing, Dave searching Molly's face as she stared with unseeing eyes into a dark corner. Then, slowly, she brought her eyes on a level with his. Ninety-Four

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E wing on in Farm By EMMA DAWSON LOWLY, laboriously, the wagon jolted over the Q dim, rough road. The blazing sun and the rattle H of the wagon bed soon deadened the echo of the ' il, brief, simple wedding ceremony, and Molly lean- ed wearily against the big man who sat so si- s lently beside her. Suddenly she sat up straight, staring wildly about her. The man turned and looked down. What's the matter? he asked. Nothing, she said faintly, only I was thinking-think- ing, she swallowed and went on, I - we're married now and I wish we weren't. The sun's so hot! He put his arm around her and drew her close. That's all right, Honey, we'll make camp for the night, in the next can- yon, and then tomorrow we'll be home. She looked up at him and smiled. It's a long way isn't it? I've never been a hundred miles in a wagon before in my life. Aren't you awfully tired ? Not much. It'll be a long pull, tho', tomorrow, but tl1ere's home ahead. Molly leaned her head against his arm and dreamed over the events of the last ten months. She thought of the move from the city to the camp, the swiftly flying days with Dave's com- ing at intervals, and now after those whirling months of courtship she had married Dave. They were going to the ranch a hundred miles from the railroad. It was a little after sun-down when the wagon rattled into the yard the next day. Molly was so worn and stiff she could hardly rise from the spring seat. Dave lifted her down and drew her toward the little old bent woman who stood on the porch, with her hands on her hips, her face set. I'Ve brought my Wife this time, Ma. Turning to Molly, This is Ma. Molly timidly lifted her hand. The woman took it, her eyes softening. 'Tm pleased to meet ye. Land, child, you're done out. Don't you want to lay down a spell until supper time ? Molly nodded, the lump in her throat too big to give a civil answer. Dave patted her on the back, and without an- other word went to put up the team. Ninety-Three

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Alright, Dave, I'1l feed the hogs while you're gone, but when you come back I'm going. Suddenly her smoldering wrath flamed. Going home to stay! I'm going out of this God-forsaken valley where there's something else besides work, work, work! For a full minute they glared into each other's eyes, then Dave reached for his hat, and slammed the door behind him as he went out. Molly went about her work in the days that followed with a sullen determination. She felt that the end was near, that very soon she would be away from it all. The evening Dave came home Molly was down in the lower pasture hunting for the calf. It was nearly dark when she drove it into its pen. Out in the corral she could see Dave unhitching the team. Smoke curled from the kitchen chim- ney. Ma was sitting on the porch. Molly trudged wearily up the path and sank down on the steps. Did you get the young devil, Honey? Ma asked. Sup- per's ready. Just as soon as David gets up from the corrals, we'll eat. Molly rose and put her hand for an instant on Ma's shoulder before she passed on into the house. Supper was rather a silent affair. Ma asked a few questions about the town folks, and Dave offered a little information. Molly was silent. Just as they finished the meal some one came up on the porch and knocked. In answer to Dave's call, the door opened and Bob Murray came in. He stood a minute blinking at the lamp, then sat down heavily on the chair Dave pulled up for him. What's the matter, Bob ? Dave asked. She's gone! Took the kid with her. Took a team and left while I was over on the mountain gettin' a load of wood. He drew his hand across his forehead and closed his eyes. Molly moved over to the stove and poured him a cup of coffee. He gulped it down and stood up. She's been threatenin' to do it for a long time, but I never thought she would. She never has been satisfied with the place, but wanted to live in the city. But there ain't nothin' I can make a livin' at down there. If she'd a-stayed until I made good here, it would have been different, but she's gone. Dave shuffled his feet and frowned. Bob turned on him. You don't understand, man. Your woman's willing to stick by youg to see you through. She ain't the naggin' kind, but Allie- he paused and drew himself up. Well, he said, I guess I'd better be goin' back to the ranch, tho' God knows I don't know why. Just then the door was pushed open and a small tow-head bobbed in. Pop, Ma 'lowed that was your horse out there. She says fer you to come out and drive the tea mhome. They been a cuttin' up awful all the way from Riley's. Bob pushed his hat back on his head and turned to the do-or with a happy grin on his face. Say, he said over his shoul- der, if I sell out right quick now, you'll get first chance at what you want. Ninety-Five