Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-09-27

fred could not put in word. Indeed,
he did not wish to; it was so much pleas
anter to listen.
ISN'T it funny, mother, that Mr.. Black
mer should come along just as we had
been talking about him p said Ally, who
had been waiting for the chance to say
it. st was about those Norway spruces
you brought. What a pity you lost all
but this one! wonder If you couldn't
get us some more? Ma has been wishing
for some, and she can't get them any
where
sThey were very plentiful where l
got this said Alfred, who had partially
forgotten his wretchedness but the ex-
pense of getting them would be consid-
erable.'
.Oh, fudgen exclaimed Ally. Il don't
care about the expense
But your mother will, said Alfred,
turning to Mrs. Cheeryble.
would you, map
Certainly, Ally. But while You have
been talking, Alfred, l have been PLAN
ming. Let us go into the house where it
think of my scheme
Alfred could not resist the kindness of
Mrs. Cheeryble. Not a word, not look |
to remind him of past errors. 1t was
so different from Mr.. Cheeryble's volum-
inOus advice.
you see, Alfred, am quite n finan-
cier,' said Mrs. Cheeryble, leading the |
| way into cool, shady room, which was |
very familiar to the Young man. fTo |
get just what trees we should want, |
would bring them up to an eXOrbitant
figure, but you could bring hundred
| or more, perhaps, as well as dozen,
couldn't you?'
Five hundred, possibly replied AL
fred, who now saw what her plan was,
and wondered why he had not thought
of it before.
Every one of which would bring you
a good, round price, said Mrs. CHEEKY
| BILE.
No doubt of it, answered Alfred,
thoughtfully.
Il will advance the money for the
trip added Mrs. Cheeryble: that was
part my plan, Alfredi and what do
you suppose my motive WASP
Il am sure l cannot guess said AL
fred, with look of mingled dread and
perplexity.
.Ah, Alfred, you do not know how
parsimonious have grown, replied Mrs.
Cheeryble, with good imitation of em-
barrassment. Il thought, perhaps, you
might let us have our trees much cheap
err
This reply must have astonished AL
fred exceedingly, or he would have
fathomed Mrs. Cheeryble's simple ruse
for lessening his feelings of obligation
to her; but he was no more surprised
than the lady herself, when he Answered
with the most evident sincerity.
your trees shall cost you nothing,
!, Mrs. Cheeryble.'
st is a bargain, Alfred. But will
this interfere with another PLAZA sell
, fish one, too! intend to keep you here
few days to look after the trimming of
our trees, and such matters. 1 can't
find a man who knows much more about
< it than do myself, and thought per-
haps you would oblige me. Will it make
: it too late if you postpone your trip un-
f til next week?'
1 'Oh, 10, Mrs. Cheeryble,' replied AL
: fred, unconciously following where she
led. Next week will be soon enough. ,
H. sThen that is settled said Mrs.
7 CHEEKY BILE, ,-secretly delighted at the sue
cess of her hastily formed, and ill-di-
K gested project. She had not been quite
Y sure that it was not a little hazardous to
l put money in Alfred's hands, and send
him off for week or more; therefore,
J, she had added to the original plan, that
s part which was to retain him under her
S eye for a few days.
Really, don't know what Jonas will
r say thought Mrs. Cheeryble, as dinner
# time drew near. tAnd l hardly know
what to think of it, myself. L wonder
:. how it will end. Well, we'll, there is
:. one thing certain: Jonas must not know
d how bllndly l went to work. l do hope
e some good will come of it; and guess
there will.'
d Mrs. Cheeryble waited with no little
v trepidation, the return of her husband
e She was standing by the window, when
% his well-known form, entered the gate.
: He took few steps toward the house.
then suddenly stopped. Alfred was
Il pruning tree not far off. and Mr.
l. Cheeryble had discovered him.
d Mrs. Cheeryble's first impulse, when
l. she saw her husband stop, was to go on,
1t and call him; but she waited moment
l. and saw him resume his way to the
n house, smiling good-naturedly.
le 81 see you have new workman, Ma
It ry, said Mr.. Cheeryble sOf course you
e, know who it is?'
n Certainly, Jonas. Alfred was always
ID a good hand at such work He has a
is natural taste for it,
= L wish that were all he had natura
3 taste for laughed Mr.. Cheeryble.
/, tut, tut! Jonas. That other is an un
,e natural taste. He'll get over that.
he when he dies p suggested Mr.. CHEEKY
BILE.
le Before, I hope. JONAS
of Nothing would please me better
5? Mary, bat I can't see how that desirable
l event can be brought about. I believe
III have done my duty; and you see wha
,e he is to-day. By-the-by, Mary, 1 ad
it wise yOn to put your valuables under
T. lock and key while he is here
: ooh, l shall not put temptations in his
ct way, said Mrs. Cheeryble, quietly
H. Neither shall l remove what are al
re ready in his path, for he would NEE
o. them somewhere else, every day of hi
lie life; but shall help him to resist them.
Very good theory, Mary. But how
ne long is he to stay?' H3H
'Al1 the season, probably
It. Mr.. Cheeryble dropped his fork an,
st leaned back in his chair, completely sur
prised.
ed you don't mean to say that you hav'
tn engaged him for all summer?'
n. No engagement, Jonas; but intcn
a to keep him if 1 cam
Il don't think 1 like that said MI
ct Cheeryble. sAnd Pm afraid you will
of get disguised yourself
II. Il can make the trial, Jonas.'
et 'Well--yes, Mary. But you know
it do abhor drunken man about tn
premises
No more than do, jonas
r. Mrs. Cheeryble had carried her point
rs usual, and she talked more freely O
III her plans.
OIL Alfred starts Tor the Lakes mex
Monday, for a lot of those nice ever
green's
ad Down went Mr.. Cheeryble's for
ce again.
SO Mrs. Cheeryble--' he never calle
3 her Mary when veXed--swho furnishe
nd the funds for this trip?'
why, do, of course, she answered
g- 'We got our trees without costing Ger
h you see.'
i'd 'Ha! ha! hap laughed Cheeryble
while just the shadow of smile wa
od visible on his wife's kindly face.
it gave you credit for more shrewdness
- Perhaps do not quite catch you
he meaning, Jonas
sWhy, you'll never see your none
again, Maryl And do not think
should place much dependence on til
q shade of the trees in a hot day. H
sh st is worth the risk, Jonas
n.y. Alfred worked faithfully the rest
= the week, Mrs. Cheeryble and Ally NAL
,he ing it SO pleasant for him that he scarc
ly thought of his old haunts. On til
ith following Monday he started for tt