The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-10-22
THAT CALICO BAG.
How an AdrOiG Politician
EiecGiOReered.


tvs demand for a dinner bag, she
had fashioned the convenient rem
naut into the requisite shape, finish
ing il of with a faded ribbon that
had in its day formed part of her
own girli.h iinery, aud hung il upon
the dimpled arm that nOlC-and a
quick, low sob broke from the
mothers heart, while her fingers
fingered TREMENDOUSLY about the lit
tie home made ssichel, hallOwed by
the touch of her dead child's hands,
and for a moment she begrudged
the gift even TO that genial delight
fully social gentleman sitting at the
open window at the opposite side
of the room, whose easy courtesy
and graceful Difference to herself
and her opinions had fairly won her
woman's heart to the belief that
never, since the 'tsons of God"
deigned to make themselves agree
able TO the daughters OF men, had
there been 9 finer, nobler specimen
of manhood upon the face OF the
earth than this Colonel Absalom,
candidate for Governor of the State
Of, 1.-THE wOrkingman's friend"
as he never omitted to mention in
all his speeches, proving il by call
ing upon his constituents whenever
it came in his way In his "stumping
tours" in that easy, unceremonious
fa-hiun that is such q sure road to
the good will of the honest, unsuspi-
cious yeomanry of our sparsely set
lied country towns.
Little Jim was at school. and
John aud his man being at work in
the Ave acre lOt," had taken their
dinner with them, thus leaving the
busy house nift. long, uninter-
rupted day tor her sewing, q fact
upon which she was silently con-
graduating herself, when the sound
of a horses boot at the gate attract
I'd her attention, while the deferen-
Iial bow and smile OF the rider, As
he halted at the dOorsiOne, Brought
graiiIied flush to her maironIy
cheek, and little Ilutter to her
heart, as she hastily tucked of sight
her blue drilling apron. bestowing
a congratulatOry thought upon her
clean dress and collar, as she rose
to receive her guest.
Good morning, madam l pre-
sumo that have the honor of adj.
dressing Mrs.-ahem ?'-''MasOn,"
supplemented that unsuspiciOus la
dy with a smile.
"Ah, yes-I am right ia my reck-
oning then, for l had planned to
reach my friend MasOn's at or near
noon;" then, with an admiring
glance at the pleased but somewhat
puzzled face, looking out from it's
framework of scarlet runners and
hoop vines that clambered over the
rustic porch: "YOu have heard
your husband speak of Col. Absa-
lom, presume
"COl. Absalom!" and the little
woman's pink cheeks deepened into
crimson, while the words of well
come that danced tripping meas
ure upon her tongue were cut short
by the easy familiarity of the dis
tlngnished guest, as having secured
his horse, he walked leisUreIy into
the house and seated himself COM
pOsedly in one OF tie splint bottom
ed chairs beside the kitchen win
dow.
GLOW delightfully."- cool and
sweet it seems in here, after six
hours ride i'll the heat aud dust of
the highway" he remarked, with a
sigh OF satisfaction then, as il wax
ing up TO some forethOught of posi-
bility, he added, with q frankness
that took his listeners impressible
heart by storm.
81 hope | am not intruding, Mrs.
Mason. But the truth is, l was
warm aud tired, and the prospect of
an hours rest in such a sweet quiet
home nest, was too great a tempia-
ton to be resisted"
Mrs. Mason WAS only too delight
ed with TIE privilege of entertain
ing SO agreeable II guest, and she
said SO, with an honest unaffected
ness that could not be misinterpret-
ed, and to which the Colonel most
gracefully responded.
ooh, no, please !" In reply 10 an
invitation TO exchange his homely
seat for the high hacked, cushioned
rocking-chair, aud the more refined
atmosphere OF Ihu front room. "Let
me stay light where l am, SO that /
can talk without interruptIng you.
The truth is, iIn q social soul, and
detest this being made company of
and shut up by myself in peoples
best rooms, instead of being allow
ed to make myself comfortably at
home in my own free aud easy fash
ion."
OF course there as nothing more
TO be said Oh that point. and the
smiling hostess tripped lightly from
kitchen to pantry, Hospitality IN
tent upon providing the best that
her house couid afford for the de-
lectaiion of their gnest, aud that
gentleman fully proved his assump.
non of sociability TO have been we'll
founded. Crops, stock, the dairy,
the orchard and the poultry yard,
were all laid under contribution to
furnish material for the fund OF
pleasant, often complimentary small
talk, with which the Colonel be-
guiled the hour of preparation for
the coming meal.
Let me see-What is Your hus-
bands green name, Mrs. Mason? l
don't seem to recall IL Just nov
John Oh, yesl l remember il
uow-he was one OF the delegates
TO the county convention last spring,
you say A fine looking young
man-shOws in his face that he has
mind of his own, and knows il TOO
-ah, you laugh2 1 understand il;
and,' with . .nerrily confidential
nod aud SMILEY "I for one don't
mind making the admission that we
are all, every mothers son OF Us,
more or less under the influence OF
the feminine mimi. Talk of wo-
mans vOtingi Why, my dear mad
am, they have always voted by
proxy. Give me" with q whimsic.
al blending of fun aud confidence)
''the good will of the 'calicoes' and
1 should have no fears in regard to
my election"
OF course Mr.. Mason was q very
silly woman to swallow all this