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

I pant, and made snug little sitting.room q
8 1t. 10 would rather that Miss Dean had ca
tended the invitation on her own option, bu
' the same end was gained, as she invariably r.
/, NAMED present during those too tleeting me
ments
"Ah, Joseph" said the venerable lady II
t her thin. uncertain voice, on one occasion
chow you remind me of my eldest son wheI
he was about your age. tie was Il good boy
The first time | saw you I-ahm She shool
her head and relapsed into silence, and owe
her knitting seemed to forget that 10 wa
present. But when that young man was abou
. to rise and take his eInptied basket back I,
, the store, she spoke again, without looking NJ
, from her knitting
Jennie" she said. softly, JENNIE, my dear
Joseph Is fine young man, Have HIM com,
I in whenever he comes to the door. If ITS on
for minute, for it does me good to look a
him. Jennie, dear, if see another grandson
hope he will be like"
Though Miss Deans back was turned 70
wards 10 when she called Grandmother e
with such peculiar emphasis that she caused
the good lady TO interrupt her remark and
glance up in that slow way of hers he imag
ined that Miss Jennies pretty face was rosy
with bushes
4 IL thought you were gone, Joseph" said
the venerable lady, sadly. MY attention wan
ders sometimes, I'm afraid; but | said moth
ing, hope, that need be recalled"
ITS one of her poor days" whispered Miss
jennie as she let 10 go out. You mustn't
mind her"
THE dear old lady" said 10, much pleased.
Sometimes Mr. Dean, a middle'aged gentle.
man. would happen in while 10 was making
these semi.social business calls, and turn the
conversation to the subject with which 10 was
best posted, the town and Its people. Mr..
Dean ives rarely seen about the town being
closely engaged with his literary labors. But
at these moments o. relaxation there was moth
ing too tritllng for the amiable Mr.. Dean to
listen to- from the marriage OF the mayor to
the number of tons Of pig iron worked in the
rolling mill. Any question that 10 failed to
answer one day he took care to be posted on
before his next visit, and no doubt Mr.. Dean
picked up some little facts OF value to him in
! his WORK, aside from beng very much amused
10 was highly fiattered at the attention which
was paid him; and though his praises at home
took Mother Dean" chiefly for subject, they
were repeated by Mrs. Badger, embellished by
astue comments.
When the Deans had been settled IN their
new home about three weeks project was
started tor holding an annual fair IN aid OF the
Orphans Home a charity once very popular
IN the town. but unfortunately plunged INTO
financial difficulties. A public meeting was
thought the best method to bring the subject
properly before the townspcople, and the lessee
of Rcnlon Assembly Hall rendered its com
modlOus lecture.room rent free for the occa'
sion. The evening Of the approaching local
celebration and holiday was fixed by general
committee as a most favorable time for hold.
ing the meeting.
On the evening appointed the hall was well
filled with Renton's foremost and best, social
ly and monetary; the feeling of local pride
had not been appealed to IN vain. AT point
in the proceedings, "eDlvened by selected
orchestra" as the Ne,cs reporter put it, MIR.
RuddfOrd rose to announce certain pledges OF
contributions that unsolicited had been sent IN
20 the committee by persons who could not be
present, and heading this list was Mr.. Charles
Dean, annual contributor, fifty dollars an an
nouncement that caused the Normans and
other worthless of Nerraw street to call loudly
in applause, Hear, hear"
Having flashed reading the list, Mr.. Ruddl'l
ford proceeded TO say:
"a venerable lady, who has recently become
a resident among us, has contributed to the
fair seven pairs of hose knit by herself, and
this valuable silk quilt, which | hold in my
hands, containing l,349 different pieces OF
silk"
He then held up the quilt for general admi-
TdllOu. IL Is more lildll uOuuIul hoNCNCi,
at the moment anyone would have offered five
dollars for it, though the name Of the donor
was inquired and whispered about the hall
But young Lawyer Carter who knows with
the best when to improve an opportunity in
an assembly, stepped up to Rudditord, took
the quilt IN his hands, and with 1t mounted on
a chair.
Ladies' and gentlemen" SAID he, II propose
to auction this unique and valuable donation
to the highest bidder for the benefit of the
Home. 1t is the work of one of the noblest
of women, whose pious life stands glorlfied to-
day with browning wreath of snowy locks
whitened by eighty five winters" Carter went
on in a similar strain for five minutes, making
the touching, sentimental appeal suited to his
purpose, and then offered personal bid OF
twenty five dollars to start with.
Going at twenty-five! twenty five"
Forty" bid Slow, Carriers law partner.
"Fiftyr SAID Norman, Sr. (The elder gro
Ger had been given no cause to change his
opinion III regard to the youngest of his
new neghbors. 10 had invited Miss Dean in
the morning to accompany him to the hall
but she had pleaded In excuse, as usual, her
duty to her beloved grandmother.
"And ten more" called director of the
fund
Make it seventy added the president, in
generous rivalry.
Just al this point there was some commo'
ton near the hall entrance, causing Carter to
exert his voice, while the bids ran on at about
five dollars call. Carriers friend Stow, being
on the committee. had gone to have the noise
promptly quieted. Returning quickly, he
made his way to the amateur auctioneers side,
and whispered privately to him.
The startled change that instantly passed
over Carriers countenance raised laugh; the
laugh enabled him to summon a smile and an
nounce the disposal of the quilt to the Hon.
John Thompson. Garter then started with
Stow toward the hall entrance, and the good
tempered audience prepared to settle them
selves to listen to some suggestions from the
mayor.
Then 1t was, at that quiet moment, that
A., D,lx,r and Nh