The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-10-03

OWu. NE DEOWu DOyS Edu the saw
mill at the foot of the hill, but their
father did most of the work and sighed
dolorously if any one asked him why he
did not keep them there.
Ruth, looked at the lad as she walked !;
tall, sturdy fellow, with honest blue
eyes but a weak, uncertain mouth and
chin. AS she talked he gained confidence
and answered with something of his old
freedom; a full, CHEEKY voice with very
little of the nasal quality at which Ruth
still WINGED.
81 wanted to see you, SAM" she
said, presently, "for want to talk over
something with you, and think you can
help me. Will you come to our house
to-night?''
Sam hesitated and colored.
81 don't know about tonight, Miss
Ruth. I'd promised Harvey Brown to
90 up to the line with him.
IS Is it special business?''
"NO-o, not SO very"
"Then bring Harvey and John, too, :"
said Ruth. ~ want all three Of you.
Will YOUR
eyes, ma'am," said Sam, con-
founded. The "Brown boys" were the
neighbOrhOOd synonym for outrageous
ness, and Miss Ruth must be beside her
self. However there was no chance for
remonstrance, for with his yes,
ma am - she had turned into the Post
office, with d" GoOd-by, then, till even
ing" and Sam walked on wondering
what he had better do.
You've got me in fine mess, Har-
vey Brown said, when Sam told them of
the promise made for them, but i'm spite
of shamefacedness curiosity was strong.
Linda shifted audibly as she answered
the pOnderOus knOcker, which Ruth
would not allow to be changed for a bell,
and ushered the boys into the dining
room, where a great table, on each end
of which a bright light burned, had
been drawn near the fire. Ruth knew
that table was at once occupation and
screen for awkward feet and hands, the
former finding shelter in the shadows,
the latter turning over the illus
trated papers towards which the
boys looked at once. Miss
Dysart sat there quietly knitting, with a
pleasant word for each in answer to
their awkward greeting, and then Ruth,
with a slightly heightened color, spoke
her thought.
"Boys, I have been thinking how very
stupid and dull great many of these
winter evenings are, and am sure they
can be pleasanter for every one of us.
We never get any amusements from
outside because we are so far away, and
l think we grow restless and discOn-
tented when there is none. Now what
l propose may not be very amusing but
at least we can try it and see. Suppose
we travel little, in spite of the deep
snow, and in this fashion: We all have
places we would specially like to see;
sometimes in our own country, some
times in others. Let us take turns in
choosing place and then finding out
all about it. l have pictures, you sec
a great many of them-and think you
will find there is some pleasure in this
way of travelling. But as you are not
at all sure whether your will like it or
not, we must see. Sam, where would
you like best to go?''
Taken by surprise, Sam answered af-
ter a moments confused thinking:
"The Mammoth Cavc.'
"Why?'
Again Sam mcditated.
"Because l used to look at the pic
turc in my old geography
"It's curious you should have said
that" said Ruth, "bccause the first
package of views on that table is one of
views in the Cave. I was there long
ago with Aunt, but never forgot it,
Tell us about it, please" said Sam,
and Ruth brought two or three
light stereoscopes and laid them on the
table, then talked on simply but in most
vivid fashion, giving the story of the
long expedition. Each view suggested
many questions; Miss Dysart joined at
times with some bit of Renaissance,
and when the clock struck 9 the boys
looked up in establishment as Linda en-
tered with a tray on which were cups of
steaming coffee and a plate of sand
Niches.
cit is SO cold tonight you need the
coffee to fOrtify you for your walk in the
wind," Miss Dysart said, talking on SO
pleasantly that they forgot awkward
ness.
"lOm AndcrSOn'S Decn up III that
ave, near Lake Dunmore, where Ethan
Allen hid," said Sam, "but it isn't
much more than a big hole. He'd like
o see these pictures, Miss Ruth. Would
,Ou mind telling it over again?"
" Not bit," said Ruth, d" if you will
lot be tired of hearing it twice."
"There amt any danger of that"
aid Harvey Brown. 81 feel as if I'd
,een there"
"Then shall expect you Saturday |
hight" said Ruth. "YOu and the An
lersOns."
The Anderson boys came at the APP
,Ointed time; the story seemed to lose |
rome of its interest in repetition, and |
rom the Mammoth Cave they passed to
,thers.
"SuppOse we look up all the wonder
nj caves in the world" Ruth had said,
Ifter an evening with that of Elcphanta,
Illustrated by some photographs sent by
! friend in Calcutta. "The Giants
Jauseway isn't exactly cave, but there
re some beautiful views of it. Wen
lave that for next time.''
{" But don't know how" said Sam,
vhO usually acted as Spokesman. 81