The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-08-20

w. and then grandmother Wouiu Prooao'y &c
me do something with the sore--tancy wori
and trimmings, perhaps"
"An excellent idea! Most young ladies nov
davs are not SO thoughtful" SAID Mr.. Norman
with appreciation. The serious young lad,
had made decidedly favorable impression
40, bring the keys" Then soto voce, "Tha
Is my son; he's the youngest my married
daughter lives out IN ono"
Elsa very nice house, If 1t Is old, sac
10. coming forward with the keys.
"An excellent, comfortable house." added
the father, taking the keys from JOS unwil
ling hand and giving HIM one OF those stereo
typed LOOKS which always accompanied his
I";Don't go away, Jo" Jo watched the demurt
Young lady and his father cross the street and
enter the house.
YES, there he goes, coughing his head on
with the dust" muttered 10. Then resolntely
walking into the store, he opened the door
leading INTO the dwelling part and amazed
Mrs Badger, who was seated pairing potatoes
and reading u tract, Ny requesting her to keep
an eye on the store a moment
| 1t was a most unheard of action on the part
of Joseph 10 leave The sore in his fathers a0'
sence, a fact that Mrs. Badger had ascertalned
when the sound Of the strange voice before the
store compelled her To the narrow aperture Of
the key-holc in the intervening door.
10 strobe across the street. and entered the
house while his father was still fumbling at a
window shutter
THE air is too close here for you, father, y
said 30, in decided tone. $50 back to the
store and I'll show the house" Without wait.
ing for the very probable dissent, Joseph be-
gan christening the shutters, excusing the
dust, and pointing out the various merits OF
the property with great brisKness.
AVAIL waii DpffprpN MIR Norman stpD-
ping to the front door for fresh air. and wlping
his beaded forehead, "what are things coming
toy While waiting, as If to propose salts.
factory solution to his perspicuous question, he
heard the voice of Miss Dean In one of the
back rooms:
what lovely old man your father seems
to be-" she was saying, doubtless thinking he
had returned to the grocery "a deacon he tells
me in one Of your churches. My old grand.
mother would enjoy his conversation so much
can appreciate what 1t is TO have been
brought an under such pious surroundings
My parents were worldly people, and | owe
everything to my dear grandmother's benign
influence"
She must be Il remarkable lady for her
years." said Joe, at n venture.
"Oh, she is. Her conversation is beautiful.
Every one loves her and brother and revere
her as--as You doubtless no your father
Joseph could be heard asserting his fiIal
regard IA they walked beyond ear-shot. MIR.
Norman was Immediately further favorably
disposed toward the proposed tenant, and be.
gan discOunting the probable influence OF
one member Of snch a desirable family over
his wild" son In few minutes Miss Dean
and Joseph returned, and found Mr. Norman
reen,ering the front door.
THAT old fashioned bulk window" she SAID,
pointing to it, "can be made snug sunny
place for grandmother to sit in while reading
or knitting. Until we decide about the store
we could put up Chntz curtain across the
lower half of the window glasses That would
make It retired for her, and yet not prevent her
looking out at the sides of the window when
she felt inclined, using this as a sort OF sitting
She is very feeble and
can scarcely bear company at all She Graves
IT, too, but we have to be careful. am sure,
Mr.. Norman, as have been telling your son,
that could not have found house that would
better suit her. and brother, also, he venerates
all that is old"
"lm glad it suits YOU" said the elder gro.
Ger. My housekeeper, Mrs. Badger, will
come over to day to sweep and air 1t for you
and hope we'll not long be strangers, Miss
Dean"
"You and grandmother know will soon be
good friends, How far from here did you say
the church was?"
"Only four blocks" replied Mr.. Norman,
"and the parsonage Is next door. Our pastor,
Mr.. Ruddiford, is out of town to-day, but
10, suppose you point out the church for Miss
Dean"
Yes, should like to see it, Grandmother
will be sure to ask if did, though she is not
strong enough to attend any meetings, which
is q great cross to her. But I'm so glad you
think she will like Mr. Ruddlford; that will
please her.
The following morning but one, as 10 was
very buslly engaged IN the store, his father dis
covered close carriage stopping before the
door of the late Mrs Rayner Mr.. Norman
rushed across to lend assistance, but 10, under
the circumstances, was not even free to stand
in the store door with Mrs. Badger and watch.
Tho dear old woman, how tenderly they
support herr exclaimed that lady, when Mr..
Dean, with the aid of his sister, slowly assist
ed the bowed feeble form of their aged grand
mother into the house. Mr.. Norman was
and though Mrs Dean had been mucn fatgued
by the Journey, her whispered thanks for his
kindness sounded IN his ears like a blessing.
1T is beautiful, Mrs. Badger, to witness the
care and attention which they gave to that
lear old mother IN Israel" remarked Mr.
Norman at the dinner table. Her every wish
IS anticipated"
"What a comfort for her old days" fervent.
y exclaimed Mrs. Badger. and then sighed as
she glanced at 10.
That Ne,os paragraph was furnished by that
man, the Rev. Mr.. RuddifOrd,
who, accompanied by Mr. Norman made an
Early and edlfying visit to the aged head of
he house. Though her physical strength
seemed frau. forcing her TO speak at intervals
md with considerable effort, her remarks were
10 excellent that Mr. Ruddiford begged per.
mission TO make note of some of them.
For few days following the appearance of
he Ne,cs paragraph the sidewalk traffic on
Nerraw street was perceptibly increased. They
avored that side of the street which would
axe them past the bulk window, and none
alled to try to catch glimpse Of that white