The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-06-30
MRS. DEANS FAMILY.


MRS. DEANS FAMILY.
The following paragraph, appearing
in the Renton Weekly Ne,cs some days
after the Dean family had come to the
town. first introduced them to the no.
tee of the general public; but by that
time their praise had become classic
song in Nerraw street: "Mr. Charles
Dean, who we understand has for sew
eral years past been engaged on work
relating to the revolutionary struggles,
has rented of Mr.. Norman, senior, the
portion of his work of which our city was
the proud scene. Mr.. Deans sister ac-
companies him. and also his venerable
grandmother. We wish him all success
in his labors."
Previous to this not few observing
ladies and gentlemen of Renton, outside
of Nerraw street, had questioned who
the Mrs. Deans Family could be
who stood pledged to ten dollars on
Mrs. Norman's subscription paper in
behalf of the victims of the Bridge
street tire. But those of them who had
casually dropped in at Norman's gro
Gerry with the innocent remark: ''Oh,
by the way, Mr.. Norman who are these
Deans see on your list OF contribu-
tors?' found no new information in
this News paragraph. They had then
and there cheerfully Endorsed Mr.. Nor
mans opinion that Mrs. Deans fami-
ly was decidedly honorable acquisi-
ton 10 Renton.
Mr.. Norman, Sr., afterward recalled
that the time was about ten o clock in
the morning when, at the sound of a
strange voice at his elbow, he glanced
up from his paper while seated under
the awning in front of his store, and
discovered Miss Dean standing near
him. Usually. the rush of custom oc-
cupied the elder grocer until the hour
mentioned, when it was his habit to
take the NeWs in one hand, a certain
deal chair in the other, and, making an
often-repeated remark to his son,
Don't 60 away, TO-" proceed to set
tie himself under the awning. MIR.
Norman also recalled that, on this
morning, having finally adjusted his
chair to rest his head against some sacks
of coffee, he glanced across the street
at the closed shutters of the late Mrs.
Rayners notion store. There was
written bill tackled ON the store door,
and, though Mr.. Norman, even with the
aid of his glasses, could not have de-
ciphered it at the distance, he repeat
ed as though reading. blouse and
store for rent House furnished. A
long-established stand for a notion store.
Full particulars at Norman's grocery,
opposite"
To a chance observer there was moth
ing to suggest the cause of Mr.. Nor
mans smiling at that messy rooted
frame house that fully twenty years
aged the Fund building next door,
which was called both venerable and
antiquated. But the only amusing idea
10 MIR. Norman had been in the thought
that though that bill had been mutely
referring all Renton to him for three
whole months, not a single person had
taken the trouble to be referred. No
one had asked for the keys, even for
the curiosity of looking at the queer
Old furniture which the house con-
tanned. Mrs. Rayner's heir had dis
posed of the stock of notions while
vainly waiting for tenant; he had
boarded three months with Mr.. Nor
man while offering that "desirable
property for sale; and then Quit the
town, as vainly leaving behind him the
keys with the grocer.
MIR. Norman had just commenced
reading an article setting forth the
latest indications in regard to the prom
ised peach crop, when he heard that
strange voice. His paper had within
the month twice assured him that the
crop would be "total failure and
twice that it would be "the largest
ever known" hence his attention was
deeply absorbed. 1t was a subdued,
rather pleasant voice, and, though MIR.
Norman distinctly heard the repeated
question, he was so surprised that in
place OF answering ne stared through
his glasses over his paper and incredu-
ulousiy gasped, "Wh-wh- what say?"
Are you the gentleman who has
the renting of the house and store
across the street?'' and as this was the
third time that the question had been
demanded it was excusable that the
voice should not be 80 low nor the
tones OS pleasant.
Excuse me ma'am--miss--I am.
Would you like to rent it?'' said Mr..
Norman, with deprecating smile; for
he imagined that there was q glow on
the cheeks of the inquirer. twitching
of the corners of her mouth, and a
CLINT in her gray eyes, such as in
younger days he had marked in the
late Mrs. Norman just previous to
certain memorable occasions.
"Well, can't say whether it would
suit u.s." she said, slowly and with UNI
mistakable composure, after a pause.
Z" 1 might look at it. Is this q healthy
place, sir?"
"Why, bless you! it is. indeed" ad-
mitted Mr.. Norman. frankly.
10 had come to the store door, and
though he was apparently gazing in
tently down the street, he saw plump,
fair checked maid, the possessor Of
q pair of wonderfully alert gray eyes,
whose age, perhaps, was not above
twenty years. She was dressed in al
most Friend-like sober colors; and if her
bearing and speech were at times marked
with q certain odd, prim restraint, it
was rather an attraction than otherwise.
JOS social opportunities had been
limited, owing to an inflexible discipline
which the senior Joseph had been able
to maintain until q recent period, when
10 had begun to be "wild." actually
stopping out of the house as late az
ten o'clock at night, and also, who
knows? dancing But most people
thought 10 to be an exceedingly steady
fellow.
"Yes, they told us in Philadelphia
We are from the South-that it was
very healthy town." said the young
lady, gravely. my grandmother Is
quite feeble, she is eighty-five; and my