The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-04-08

The dinner was an exceedingly decorous
affair. rs might have been expected. No
vulgar Gathering Of knives and forks, NO
ciashing Of crockery, no unseemly haste In
the absorption of soup. Slater alone per.
sisted in contrasting himself with the bal.
ance Of the company by eating with his knife.
and interpolating remarks about the pork
and beans he and sOld Bill Rayeley" had de.
voured at various primitive repasts ranging
through the series of years beginning in 1850
and ending in 1850. Mrs. Raveley, really
sensible woman, unspoiled by her husbands
income, humored theold man in his reminis-
cent mood, but it was plain to be seen that
the conversation Jared upon the super.
sensitive nerves of the naughty female
Snobleys.
Isn't it really shame that Mr.. Velret
could not be present on this occasion?" sim.
pered the youngest Miss Raveley, late of q
metropolitan seminary. Mr.. Velret was the
pastor under whom the Raveleys and Snob-
1eys sat.
ct is really too bad" assented Miss
"Marie'' Snobley, "but suppose his duties
compelled him to forego the pleasure"
"a wedding," explained Miss Matte Dib-
"Not much of an affair." quietly re-
marked Matte, "only Ssllie Eyens and her
fellow"
"Ohw
~ VII VIC uCCCSSoIy W cApiSlu IuoI VuAy
Sallie Evens" was an orphan girl who earned
her own living in vulgar dressmaker's es.
Enlistment, and that cher fellow"
was Joe Humphreys, young man who, by
steady industry and sober habits, had &C.
CURED, at his trade Of blacksmithing, SUI
icieDt amount to set up housekeeping and
cOnsummate a lOng-standing cOurtship ex-
listing between himself and s'his girl"
Love in cottage, and all that sort OF
thing" remarked Sewell, with sheer.
Love in blacksmith shop, should say"
added Reginald Snobley.
"GoOd for the gall" blurted Slater, with
his mouth full Of turkey. "GlOry in her
damper on the wedding business, and it was
dropped instanter.
What was the text to-day. Tillie:" in
CURED Miss Adele Raveley. 'I've been so
busy all day, arranging things, that could
not possibly attend the morning service"
Miss Tilie became pensive.
Something or other in psalms" she MUIR
mured' "something abOut-mamma, you
know what it was? I've forgotten it en-
tirely."
"New feather in some other woman's
bonnet" muttered the graceleSs Reginald,
his insulted sister rewarding him with one
OF those peculiarly scornful glances which
only woman laboring with suppressed an
ger can bestOw.
Really, my dear, my memory is so bad
that really couldn't rehearse the text" an
swered the maternal SnObley. 81 believe it
was something about crowns, and paths, and
fatness, or something Of that kind" she
added, obviously.
"'Thou crownest the years with thy good.
ness; and thy paths drop fatness,'" came
reverently from the lips Of little Miss Hun
niwell.
why, what a memory you have, MarSa.
retw was the flattering comment Of Ma
rie' SnObley.
.Mixed metaphor" sneered Sewell.
''And, oh, it was such lovely Sermon"
said Title, her face lighting up with the re-
collection Of the moral and intellectual treat
she had enjoyed. sit was all about the sea-
son, you know, and the happy thoughts and
calm desires we should entertain. And we
shouldn't forget the poor, for they are always
with u.s."
can likely to stay, eff they amt attended
tor interrupted Slater, reaching for the
pickle-plate.
''And we ought to care for the unfortu-
nate. and give from our store sufficient to lift
them above want,' continued Miss Snobley.
81 know one case in pint" remarked
Slater, preparing to make an assault on a
side dish.
"Whose case is that. Mr.. sater:" inquired
Mrs. Raveley.
"Col. Tom Stoddart's." Slater's reply
was greeted by general laugh. "Ye
needn't laugh, my friends: know what Pm
talkin' about" he continued. "Thet old
man hes more genOOine diamOn'-platedp pride
locked up in the bottom of his heart n any
three kings in Gods universe"
"Calls himself the Marquis of Nithsdae,
or something of that kind, don't he:''
Essays he fought at Navarino."
"Belongs to the engine company-heart
and soul wrapped up in fire business"
always hard up"
"Never bOrrows cent?
"And I've heard that he has performed
than himself" was Miss Hunniwelrs COM
ment.
eyer mighty right. Miss. He was good
Samaritan, an no mistake, an there's
more'n one in this yer town thet'll hev cause
to remember OF Tom, now We hear my gentle
racket" said Slater.
81 wonder if he has had his dinner" re.
marked Mrs. Raveley.
"I'll bet chaw o. terbacker he hain't had
toothful to-day" replied Slater.
"Then Ill see that he has as nice q meal
as anybody in Sonora,' was the generous
decision of the hostess.
"The old man seems to be a prime IA
| would be a good plan to erect a monument
to him, and inscribe his virtues on it in
raised letters"
"Perhaps you may be called upon to con-
tribute to that laudable object, nv dear
sir" It was the Rev. Mr.. Velret who spoke
He had entered unperceived in time to catch
the drift of the conversation, and hear
Sewell's heartless remark.
"Why, Mr.. Velret, how do you do?" ex-
claimed Mrs. Raveley. "Won't you take a
seat and join us? We're not half through
yet"
ono, thank you,'' answered the clergy
man. 81 simply dropped in to see how you
all Jared, and I should not have made the
remark that announced my presence had it
not been for what Mr.. Sewell said in relation
to one who is at present in more need of q
tribute to his memory than repast."
"Why, what do you mean?" exclaimed
Mrs. Raveley.
"Poor Old Tom Stoddart has gone to his
long home. Mrs. Raveley."
''Dead".
''Dead."
It was the most impressive funeral ever
seen in the county. He was buried under
the auspices of Cataract Engine Company
No 1. and the long lines Of red-shirted fire.
men, the draped and garlanded engines and
hose carriages, headed by the local brass
band moaning death dirges, the long -roll OF
the muff1ed drums and the nodding plumes
of the sable hearse, all contributed to render
the spectacle one never to be forgotten by
those who witnessed it. As the cOrfepe