River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-06

head off with the DUST" muttered 10.
Then resolutely walking into the store,
he opened the door leading into the
dwelling part, and amazed Mrs. Badger,
who was seated pairing potatoes and
reading tract, by requesting her to
keep an eye on the store moment. Ii
was most unheard of action on the
part of Joseph to leave the store in his
fathers absence, fact that Mrs. Bad
ger had ascertained when the sound
of the strange voice before the store
compelled her TO the narrow aperture
of the keyhoie In the interviewing door.
10 strobe across the street and entered
the house while his father was still
fumbling at the window shutters.
"The air is too close here for you,
father" said 10, in decided tone.
'Go back to the store and I'll show the
house" Without waiting for the very
probable dissent, Joseph began unfast-
ening the shutters, excusing the
dust, and pointing out the various
merits of the property with great
briskness.
"Well, wellp' muttered Mr., Norman,
stepping to the front door for fresh air,
and wiping his beaded forehead.
''What are things coming tor" While
waiting, as if to propose satisfactory
solution to his perspicuous question, he
heard the voice of Miss Dean in one oil
the back rooms.
what j lovely old man your father
seems to be-" she was saying, doubtless
thinking he had returned to the gro
oorxr. 80 1oo ooY, ha tolls IN, p,,a ~
your churches. My old grandmother
would enjoy his conversation so much
| can appreciate what it is to have been
brought up under such pious surround
ings. My parents were worldly people,
and owe everything to my dear grand
mothers benign influence"
"She must be remarkable lady fol
her years" said 10, at venture.
"0h, she is. Her conversation is
beautiful. Every one loves her; and
bro her and revere her-as you doubt
less do your father"
Joseph could be heard asserting his
filial regard as they walked beyond
ear-shot. Mr.. Norman was immedi-
ately further favorably disposed to-
ward the proposed tenant, and began
discounting the probable influence oil
at least one member of such desira-
bic family over his wild" son. In a
few minutes Miss Dean and Joseph re.
turned, and found Mr.. Norman re-en-
tering the front door
"That old-fashioned oulk window, y
she said, pointing to it, ''can be made
a snug, sunny place for grandmother
to sit in while reading or knitting. I'm
til we decide about the store we could
put up a chintz 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 sittingroom-un-
derstand. 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 l have been
telling your son, that / could not have
found house that would better suit
her; and brother, also, he venerates all
that is DID,
"Pm glad it suits you," said the
elder grocer. "My housekeeper, Mrs.
Badger. will come over to-day to sweep
and air it FOR you; and 1 hope Wen not
long be strangers"
"You ana grandmother | know will
soon be good friends. How far from
here did you say the church was? ?"
"Only four blocks" replied Mr.. Nor
man, land the parsonage is next door.
Our pastor, Mr.. Ruddiford, is out OF
town to-day, but,-Jo, suppose you
point out the church for Miss Dean"
eyes, | would like to see it. Grand
mother will be sure to ask if l did,
though she is not strong enough to at
tend any meetings, which is q great
cross to her. But I'm glad you think
she'll like Mr.. Ruddiford; that will
please her"
The following morning but one, as 10
was very busily engaged in the store,
his father discovered close carriage
stopping before the door of the late
MIR. 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, Bad
er and watch.
"The dear old woman, how tenderly
they supported her" exclaimed that
lady, when Mr.. Dean, with the aid OF
his sister, slowly assisted the bowed
feeble form of their aged grandmother
into the house Mr.. Norman was
proud to help the driver with the bag.
gage, and though Mrs. Dean had been
much fatigued by the journey, hel
whispered thanks for his kindness
sounded in his ears like blessing.
That NelCs paragraph was furnished
by that warm-hearted man, the Rev
Mr.. Buddiford, who, accompanied by
Mr.. Norman, had made an early and
edifying visit to the aged head of the
house. Though her physical strength
| seemed frail, forcing her to speak at in
| tervals and with considerable effort
her remarks were so excellent that Mr.
Ruddiford begged permission to make
q note of some of them.
For few days following the appear
ance of the NelOS paragraph the side
walk ratio on Nerraw street was per
ceptibly increased. They favored tina
side of the street which would take
| them past the bulk-window, and non,
failed to try to catch glimpse of tina
white-haired, bowed form of 'Mothe
Dean" who, among a multitude o
wrappings and quilted hood, sat be
| hind the chintZ curtains CONSTANT,
reading or knitting.
| On the occasion of the only visit tina
Mr.. Norman, for prudential reasons
allowed Mrs. Badger to make across tn
street, she was presented by "Mothe
Dean" with a beautiful knitted hood
and it was from that cheerful GOSSIP
that the good people from Nerra'
street and adjacent parts became 81
quickly cognizant of the enviable statu
| of the Dean household. OF course the,
| dealt at Mr.. Norman's store (people 0
excellent appetite they appeared to be-
and as 10 carried the orders hom
rather than tie errand boy, Mrs
Badgers information came direct
From Mother Deans" frequent seat il
tie bulk-window she could not fail t.
notice the attention Joseph gave 4
| business; and she commended him OF
| various occasions when he was asked il
| at her low-voiced suggestion with tn,
| basket The Deans had moved som,
of the furniture into the store part, ant
made a snug little sitting-room of it
10 would have rather that Miss Dear
had extended the invitation ON her own
option, but the same end was gained, a
she invariably remained present during
/ those too fleeing moments.
"Ah, Joseph y said the venerable
lady in her thin, uncertain voice, OF