The Van Buren press., 1873-07-01
MISCELLANY.
That Calico Bag.

and that accounts for its being such III
old fashioned pattern, stiff and set. hu
kind o nice looking" as Mrs John Ma
son remarked, when, in compliance will
little Patty's demand fer dinner bag
she had fashioned the convenient rem
nant into the requisite shape, finishing i
off with a faded ribbon that had in its da'
formed part Of her own girlish fnery
and hung upon the dimpled arm that non
and a quick, low sob broke from thu
mothers heart, while her fingers angeres
TREMENDOUSLY about the little homo mad,
satehsl, hallowed by the touch Of hej
dead childs hands, ard for a III oment shc
begrudged the gift eyen..to the genial, de
,lightfully social gentleman sitting at th'
open window at the opposite side of thu
room, whose easy courtesy and graceful
Difference to herself and her opinions hac
fairly won her woRan's heart to the be
lief that never, since the sons OF God
deigned to make themselves agreeable to
the daughters OF men, had there been .
finer nobler specimen of manhood upor
| the face Of the earth than this same Col
Absalsm, candidate fer Governor of the
| State of -, "tke workingNan S friend,
as he never omitted 10 mention in all his
speeches, proving it by calling familiarly
on his constituents whenever it came in
his way in his stumping tours, y in that
easy, unoarem0Aious fashion that IS such
sGre read to the good grsces of the
honest yeomsnry Of our sparsely settled
country towns.
Little Jim was at school, and John and
his man being at work in the Eve acre
lot. had taken their dinners with them,
thus leaving the busy housewife a long,
uninterrupted day for her sewing, fact
upon Which she was sileatiy eongratula-
ting herself When the sound OF a horse 5
hOof az the gate attracted her attention.
willis the dpierential bow and smile OF
she rider. rs he halted at the door stone,
brought a grstiled fush to her matroniy
check, aud . TITLE flutler to Lor heart, as
abs hastily tucked ont Of sight her blue
drilling apron bestowiag q congratulate.
rv thought upon hsr clean dress and col.
lar As she rose TO receive her guest
Goad merning. madam | presume
that have the honor Of addressing Mrs.
-ahem ;"-' Mason, supplemented that
unsuspicious lady with a smile.
"Ah, yes--I am right in my reckoning g
then, for had planned to reach my friend
Masen's at or near noon then, with an
admiriag glance at the pleased but some
what puzzled face lookiRg out from its
framework of scarlet rnnntrs and hop
vines that clamkered over the rustic
porch "You have heard your husband
speak Of Col Absalom, presume 7"
"Col Absalom!' and the little wo-
man pink cheeks deepened into crimson,
while the words of welcome that danced
a tripling measure upon her tongue were
cut shsrt by the easy familiarity Of the
distinguished guest, as having secured
his horse, he walked lsisurely into the
house and seated himself composedly in
one Of the split bottom chairs beside the
kitchen window.
How delightfully."- cool and sweet It
seems in hero, after six hours ride in
the heat and dust Of tho highway he
remarked with sigh of satisfaction: !:
then, as if waking up to some forothought
OF possibility, he added, with frankness
thai took his listeners impressible heart
by storm:
IL hope I'm not intruding, Mrs. Ma
son. But the truth is, was warm and
tired. and the prospect of an hours rest
in such sweet, quiet home nest, vas too
great q temptation to bo resisted
Mrs Mason was only too delighted
with the privilege Of entertaining SO dis
tnguished, and, at the same time, SO
agreeable guest, and she said so, with
an honest uuatiectedncss that could not
be mi.interpreted and to which the Col
enel most gratefully responded.
"Oh, no, please" !" in reply to an invi
tntion to exchange his homely seat for
the high backed, cushioned rocking chair
and more refined atmosphere of the front
room. LET me stay right where | am,
90 that / can talk without interrnptlng
you. The the truth is, I'm social soul,
and de,cs. this being made company of
and shut up by myself in peoples best
rooms, instead Of being allowed to make
myself comfortably at home, in my swn
free and easy fashion.
or course there was n!3.ning more to
be essiid1 on tia, point, and the smiling
hes,css tripped lightly from kitchen to
pantry, Hospitality intent upon providing
Tho best that her house afforded for the
aa.ect,tion Of their guest, and that gen
,iomsn fully proved his assumption OF
,cciability to have been well founded,
Crops, stock, tbe dairy, the orchard aAd
the poultry yard were all laid undcr con.
,ribu,ien 10 furnish material for the food
of pleasant, often complimentary small
talk, with which the ceIonel beguilsd the
hour OF preparation for the coming meal
Let me ses--whst is your husbands 5
Given name. Mrs. MasonI don't seem
10 recall it inst uew.-John' Oh, yes
remember movie was one OF the del
e.ate. 10 the county convention las'
spring. you say A fine looking young
man. shows that he has misd OF his own,
and knows it, tso--ah, you laugh /
understand It; and, with merr'iy
confidential nod and smilo) 81 for enc
don't mind making the admission that
y, are all. every mothers son of US, s,more
4. a. ,-oa ,f flxs 70 m