The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-01
"SURPRiSED."

The evening train was Just starting for il.
journey out into the soltudcs of the counlr,
wilds when tall, handsome man of sever
or eight and twenty daried frantically into
the depot and swung himself, after rather
perilous fashion, upon the platform of the
moving cars
"Just saved myself" was his complaccn
remark, MS he settled himself on the velvc
cushions under The lamp
Yes-exactly-just." commented gen
tleman who sat opposite. 81 tell you what
Harry kneller, should nj repeat that kline
of experiment very Otter, if were you"
Well, you see, | was in great hurry
we been getting little surprise for my wife
and somehow got behind time.
\ surprise, ehy'
You see" went on Mr.. Kneller confden
TALLY leaning over toward his TREND " she 5
exceedingly fond Of fried oysters, and ,lp in
the country we never get anything of that
sort"
So that's the secret of the pail eli :" said
George Arden, laughing good humoredly
Mr.. kncller, on getting home, deposited
his precious burden in the corner of the
porch and walked IN with IA nonchalant air
We'll, Mattie!' rs the blue.eyed woman
came to meet him, and put up rosy mouth
to be kissed, supper readyY
les-and IN SO glad you came home so
early, Harry, for Mrs. Evarts is sick, and they
want me 10 sit up with her tonight"
"All right" said Harry good humoredly
$50, by all means, my pet"
And he rubbed his hands. thinking glec
fully OF the fine field he should have for his
surprise"
Il will be back before seven tomorrow
Harry" went on Mary Kneler, making a
musical clinking among the china tea cups
and saucers, and you shall have your break.
fast III time for the train"
Shall =" thought Harry, nearly choking
himself with scalding tea, in his strong sense
of the joke.
Gould mt have happened better" he pon.
dered, rs he toasted his slipper soles before
the fire. while Mary was washing the
china, and hoverag about the apartment ION
household thoughts intent"-lor Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Kneler were young people of limited
income, and mad not yet aspired to the digni.
ty of help mo it could mt have hap.
pened better \ fair field and no favor, and
when Matte comes home to morrow morn.
ing she III find breakfast ready, fried oysters
and all, or | IN uncommonly mistaken
Won't i! be n jolly SURPRISE"
Good gracious, Harry what are you do.
ing?" calculated Mary, as her husband gave
vent to very audible chucklc What
picbscs you 80 lnuCn ::
"Plcases me? Nothing" said Harry.
trying 10 look ausere all of sudden and
altering, " | was thinking how lonely
should be without you, dear"
SO Mrs. Harry kneller tied little cashmere
hood over her brown ringlets, and enveloped
herself in "a prodigicus Scotch plaid shawl,
and trippcd away under her husbands arm to
Mrs. Evart's abode, half mile beyond
GOOD night, darlng!" said Harry, stoop-
ing to kiss her rosy cheeks at the door.
GOOD night. Harry"
"And say, Matte" pursued kneller, un.
able to repress brief flash OF exultaton,
"do mt be astonIshed at any little surprise
may have in store for you tomorrow morn.
ing.
"Surprise:"
But Harry was of before the dissyllabe
had fairly passed Mays lips
Z" 1t will be jolly fun" thought Harry
With the first gray dawu of the chilly win.
ter morning, Harry Kneller was up and stir |,
ring with vivid remembrance of the laurels
he was 10 reap by that mornings work.
Where are the oysters pondered he,
carefully holding the skirts of his morning
wrapper, SO that the FIRE should not endanger
them. "Oh remember | lief. them out on
Frozen, by Jupiter jus, my luck exact
Iyi frozen like a rock. However, they III
EASILY thaw out again on a hot fire; and III
put the coffee stewing too l do MT know
.xacfly what the regular raiions Of coffee are,
,ut If I fill the pot half full il can't help be.
ng strong"
Nr. KnelIer made liberal appOrtionmen,
n coffee, filed up the pot with water, and
,;aced Il on the hot Goals with acountenanoei