Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-24
A STORY OF LAST YEAR.
BY RENA HOFFMAN.

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 it was 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 proceeded to enjoy my
story.
/ was soon interested n the book,
but was aroused by the sound of a
mans step on the walk. Now I 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 drink, as they were in
the habit of doing. Not wishing the
man to think was watching for him,
I went on reading; but, to my disap-
pointment, he did not come to the
well.
Isay to my disappointment because,
during the very busy season of the
and even homesick. visiting in the
country, if ! had not been cheered by
these visits to the well, 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 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 a 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, I peeped in and
door that Aunt Tab was holding the
door open very little way, carrying
on some sort of an argument with
man standing on the outside, who had
satchel or portfolio in his hand.
"He must be tramp or peddler,
thought /, "for she is afraid of both,
and will not admit either into the
house unless the men are there TO
protect her,
I did not hear his first words, but
he did not seem disposed to leave
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 y cried
Aunt Tab, as she slammed the door
in his face and sank into her rocker,
calling "Katie! Katie!" several
times.
I understood the cause of her anger.
She was an old maid, 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, fingered to catch glimpse OF
the tramp. He went down the path
and at almost every step he took 1
could see him bend over and hear
smothered "Ha ha hap as though
he were enjoying something immense
ly. He did not look like tramp or
peddler, and it just popped into my
mind that he must be a census emu
merator. Then went into the house
prepared to hear my aunt's account OF
her adventure.
After I 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!' Isaid,-
"You will have to begin to reckon
your age some day soon, aunt, for
the census taker will be around 20 ask
our ages. / wonder if they could be
so mean as to make person pay a
hundred dollars if he wouldn' t answer
their questions? They have some
sort of book they write the names,
ages and everything in
SONY goodness! My goodness
What shall 1 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 / 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 dear
me!'
pretended to run as fast as could,
but when l got to the corner of the
house / saw Uncle Robert coming,
and with him was the stranger. / ran
back and told aunt. Then / slipped
into the next room, drawing the door
u6dTly 10. l. COulu ucdI very well
without being seen. By that time
they came In uncle talking loudly,
and not noticing Aunt Tabs embar,
rassment, while / could tell by the
expression of the gentleman's face
that he could only restrain his mirth
by talking very fast to Uncle Robert
so that it would not be necessary to
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 GO forty-three at a
seconds notice. This occurred every
time he glanced toward her.
How enjoyed it, and how Wished
Jim or some one had been there to
enjoy it with me! The gentleman had
just asked Uncle Robert some ques-
lions concerning his parents when ]
heard Jim come to the well. was
about to call him into the back room
when Uncle Robert summoned him.
hid behind the door as he passed
through the room, so that he would
not see me eavesdropping.
By this time the enumeration felt
that he must say something to Aunt
Tab, whe was still waiting to tell her
age. Said he,-
ct shall not ref, MANY names here