The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-04-28
A STORY OF LAST YEAR.
BY RENA HOFFMAN.

BY RENA HOFFMAN.
1t was a very warm afternoon in
June so warm, indeed was it, that
Aunt Tab and I each sought the cool
est spot in the house, where We might
enjoy little comfort. She sat in the
front room, pretending to sew, but in
reality taking many short maps and
few stitches. Seeing twas unneces-
sary to stay there to keep her com
pany, took my book out on the back
porch, curled myself up in an easy
chair, and proceed ed to enjoy my
story.
l was soon interested in the book,
but was aroused by the sound of a
mans step on the walk. Now knew
that the men were working in the
field not far from the house, and
thought one of them was coming to
the house for a drink, as they were in
the habit Of doing. Not wishing the
man to think was watching for him,
L went on reading; but, to my disap-
pointment, he did not come to the
well.
I SAY to my disappointment, because,
during the very busy season of the
year, l should have been very lonely
and even hcmeSick. visiting in the
country, if l had not been cheered by
these visits to the we'll, especially by
the merry jokes, lively greeting and
many little kindnesSes of a certain
nephew of Uncle Roberts, by name
Jim, who found it expedient to come
for a drink quite frequently those
warm days, when the heat drove me
from the house to the Shady back
porch near the well.
BY the time I had read page, my
attention was drawn by the sound Of
voices in the front room. The doors
being open, could hear every sound.
Entering on tip-tOe, peeped in and
could see through the crack of the
door that Aunt Tab was holding the
door open very little way, carrying
on some sort of an argument with a
man standing on the outside, who had
asatchel or portfolio in his hand.
"He must be tramp OF peddler,'
thought /, /" for she is afraid of both,
and will not admit either into the
house unless the men are there to
protect her.
did not hear his first words, but
he. did not seem disposed to leave
a. quietly, but, instead, sat dOWn on the
step, spread out his portfolio, and
asked, ''HOw old are you, my good
woman!" at the same time preparing
to write.
"NOne of your business!' cried
Aunt Tab, as she slammed the door
in his face and sank into her rocker,
calling 'Katie! katie!' several
times.
understood the cause Of her anger.
She was an old maid, I believe, when
she married Uncle Robert, and any
allusion to her age raises her ire; so
that what had been fear Of the man
was changed to anger at his impu.
dence. Although heard her calling
me, l fingered to catch glimpse of
the tramp. He went down the path
and at almost every step he took /
could see him bend over and hear a
smothered "Ha ha ha !" us though
he were enjoying something immense.
ly. He did not look like tramp or
a peddler, and it just popped into my
mind that he must be census emu
merator. Then I went into the house
prepared to hear my aunt account of
her adventure.
After had listened to lengthy
description of the tramp. book agent
or peddler, "she didn't care which, he
was q scoundrel, whoever he was
impudent rascal! asking ladies how
old they are!' I said,-
You will have to begin to reckon
your age some day soon. aunt, fol
the census taker will be around 20 ask
our ages. l wonder if they could be
so mean as to make a person pay q
hundred dollars if he wouldn't answer
their questions They have some
sort OF book they write the Names
ages and everything in
$50 my goodness! My goodness
What shall do if that was the man.
and he makes us pay hundred dol.
lars! All that money just because ]
would not Tell him how old I am
Run, Katie, and see if he is in sight
yet, and if he is tell him I'm forty.
three years old. Oh dear! Oh DEAF
me!'
pretended to run as fast as I could
but when I got to the corner of the
house l saw Uncle Robert coming.
and with him was the stranger. I ra1
back and told aunt. Then I Slipped
into the next room, drawing the door
nearly to. could hear very wei
without being seen. By that time
they came In uncle talking loudly
and not noticing Aunt Tabs embar
rassment, while I could tell by the
expression of the gentleman's face
that he could only restrain his mirtl
by talking very fast to Uncle Robert
so that it would not be necessary tc
look at or speak to Aunt Tab, who
kept her lips going. Once in while
she would start and get her mouth in
position to report g forty three y at {
seconds notice. This occurred every
time he glanced toward her.
How I enjoyed it, and how wished
jim or some one had been there tt
enjoy it with me! The gentleman hat
just asked Uncle Robert some ques
lions concerning his parents when
heard Jim come to the we'll. I wa.
about to call him into the back room