The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-07-26
IMPROMPTU FIREWORKS.

and looking up from the plane that was louo
ly lisping AS it rapidly SKINNED along th'
board he was planning, Richard Foster saw
standing in the door oil his workshop, Dilgh
June sunbeam resting ON her pretty head
little fair-haircd glrl
Lost in astonlshment, lac did not answer lh'
child, but gazcd at her with wlde-opcned eyes
She had appeared so suddenly ana qulcliy
and moreover she was 50 unlike inc rounu
faced, rosy-cheeked, white-haired, chubby III
ale ones of his native vilage-so tar, SO frag
lie, with IA strange, yearning-look III hcr iarSc
yiolel-bluc eyes and TINT OF purcst Solu on
Me long flowing hair that fell about the small
delicate face-that she seemed to belong to an
entirely different race
Are YOU my uncle Robert!' she repeated
coming step or two into the shop
mo, I'm not, baby; wish were answer
ed the CHEEKY Young fellow, recovering from
his surprise; for he dearly loved children, and
mis- child touched some chord in his heart that
had never been touched before.
INV names not Baby It's Eva said the
shlld, shaking the hair back from her face,
and regarding him with serious look. Ana
mammals name is Eva, too" And then, with
little sigh Il fought perhaps you might be
him"
"What made you think so, baby mean
Eva?" asked the young man, with pleasant
smile, tossing his plane aside, and sitting
himself down on huge block OF wood that
stood near.
"Youlook like him, speaking with quaint
preciseness He went away when was a
very little girl-Im most five now-but |
member him. He had face like you, nice
laughing face; but'-glancing at the shirt
sleeves-"hc wore Il coat, snd he used to give
me candies for kisses-two candies for one
kiss; and mamma cries because he does not
come hack and take us with him"
The dinner bell rang loud and long IN the
cottage adjoining. The young man rose me
chemically to his feet and then deliberately
Shutdown again, as he SAID, with tender look
IN, his honest brown eyes, I'm sorry mamma
cries"
"Yes, she cries,''-in lowered voice, and
completely won by the kind look, coming to
MS side, and putting her mite OF hand con
6dingly IN hls--"because papa has gone up
here Oointng to the sky. | don't member
him; twas long, long, tong ago; and Uncle
Robert don't come back and she's u beggar"
this last remark, evidently quoted, with "A
dramatic little gesture.
Again the dinner bell rang violently.
"NBIIl you tell me where you live, EvaY'
asked Dick, paying no attention to the sum.
mons bat before the child could reply, stout,
ouxom black-eyed girl flew into the shop from
he rear door and slight graceful, falr'halred
.oman came in at the other.
"Dck, why on earth don't you come to din
ner?" almost yelled the buXom girl; and,
Eva, my darling, what are you doing here"
cried the pretty woman.
II fought he was my uncle Robert, said the
child smiling at the young workman as she
dropped his hand and went toward her pretty
mother.
"iSs ,n exclaimed the pretty woman, scarce
y gancing at HIM. "Why he,"--with little
laugh with a slight infection of scorn, or
something very like it IN his vOice-"he's a
:vpenter!" And catching the child in her
arms, she disappeared as suddenly as she had
arrived.
Goodness gracious sakes alive" said Dick S
brown.faced, redchecked sister, with not an
infection, but whole volume of scorn in her
voice ~ carpcnear, indeed, And what is
Me?"
what is shew repeated Dick
"Oh, come along to dinner Dick, and don't
bother I'm hungry, if you ain't,"-giving
aim by no means gertlc pull.
Stop moment, Lib" Jerking away from
aer; that's good girl and tell me all about
IT,"
"All about it? Pshaw, you men are all
alike. All about her you mean. Do you
mink he's-prettyg'
Wen all about her, then" said Dick utter
~ ignoring the question
"Mothcr'll be hopping mad, and the vlctuals
vii he stone cold but s'pose ia better hurry
and tell you what know at once or you'll be
peserng the life out of me till do. She's Il
sidow-Mrs. Leonard Deming, M, d.; that
is, Ny Leonard Demng was M ID. : and she
Came'heEe two days ago to live in the brick
cottage round the corner with her aunt, old
Mrs. Pauldlng, who Is always talking of better
days and bonsting that there never has been
mechanic in her family And yet she's as
poor AS church mouse, and no one knows
how she manages TO live
$50 on, Lib said Dick, as she stopped to
lake breath.
There goes the bell again. turning toward
the door.
"N on shall not stir step until YOU finish
you. story" says Dick, OBTAINING her with firm
but gentle force.
"Oh, Richard Foster, what "A tease you are
and only yesterday you was calling nc COS
zip, and saying how women's tongues did run
on and-Oh with shrlll sCream) what a
pinch, you tormenting thing! Well, her hus
band was doctor, and went off to some place
Or other when they'd been married year Oh
80, and caught the yellow fever and died, and
eft her nothing bat his N D. And shes rs
poor as old lady Paulding, and just as proud
and on, Dick, the funniest thlng-she's filled
one of her auntS front windows with wax
lowers for sale, just AS though any one in this
place would want to buy wax flowers Conc
SO T."
-, | think wax flowers are bcautiu!"-
he had never thought OF them in his lie be
lore, and in fact knew nothing about them
and wish you'd sci the other folks good
example, and buy 10. OF them trom-Mrs
Deming, for our parlor mantel - and he thrust
! bill into her hand
"D,ck Foster, are you crazy Wax flowers
- mother wanting a new cook stove tn,
y tc!-thc old ones falling into pieces
md haven't"
~ stitch to your back" says Dick, smiling
You never have But buy the flowers, LIB
le,,r and mother shall have new stove and
yoa a new dress before the weeks out I'll
Tor. nights
DJt, Dick"
But Dick had rushed away at a fourth and
mo-. furious ringing of the bell, and she was
IAN TO follow without another word
Btv after day Dick Foster set his shop door