The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-08-20
MRS. DEANS FAMILY.
BY JAMES ". MARSHALL.

BY JAMES ". MARSHALL
The following paragraph, appearing in TIT
Eenton Weekly Neps some days after the Dear
family had come to the town, first introduced
them TO the notice of the general public bu
by that time their praise had become a classic
song in Nerraw street:
"Mr Charles Dean, who, we understand, ha.
for several years past been engaged on work
relating to the revolutionary struggles, has
rented of Mr.. Norman, senior, the old Raynel
property, while writing that portion of the
work Of which our city was the proud scene
Mr.. Deans sister accompanies him, and also
his venerable grandmother. We wish him ali
success in his labOrs."
Previous TO this not few observing ladies
and gentlemen of Renton, outside of Ncrraw
street, had questioned who the Mrs. Deans
Family" could be who stood pledged to ten
dollars on Mr.. NOrman's subscription paper
IN behalf of the victims Of the Bridge street
fire. But those Of them who had casually
dropped in at Norman's grocery with the lnno
cent remark: "Oh, by the way, Mr.. Norman,
who are these Deans see on your list of con
sributors - found no new information in this
news paragraph. They had then and there
cheertully Endorsed Mr. Norman's opinion
.orable acquisition to Renton.
Mr. Norman, ST., afterwards recalled that
the time was about 10 o'clock in tine morning
when, nj the sound of strange voice at his
elbow, he glanced up from his paper while
seated under the awning IN front Of his store,
and discovered Miss Dean standing near him
Usually the rush Of custom occupied the elder
grocer until the hour mentioned, when it was
his habit to take the Neps IN one hanu, a GER
tain deal char in the other, and making the
oftrepeatcd remark to his son, Don't go away
.JO," proceeded to settle himself under the
awning.
Mr.. Norman also recalled that on this morn
ing having finally adjusted his chair to rest
his head against some sacks of coffee, he
glanced across the street at the closed shutters
Of the late Mrs. Rayner's notion store. There
was written bill tackled on the store door,
and though Mr.. Norman, even with the aid of
his glasses, could not have dcCipherGd II at the
distance, he repeated a. though reading,
Blouse and store for rent. House furnished.
A loug-established stand for notion store.
Full particulars at Norman's grocery, Oppo-
site"
To chance observer there was nothing to
suggest the cause of Mr.. NOrman's smiling at
that mossy.roofed frame house that fully TWEEN.
~ years aged the Fund building next door,
which was called both venerable and anti
quated But the only amusing idea to Mr.
Norman had been IN the thought that though
that bill had been mutely referring all Renton
TO him for three whole months not single
person had taken the trouble to be referred
No one had asked for the keys, even for the
curiosity OF looking at the queer old furniture
which the house contained. Mrs. Rayner's
heir had disposed OF the stock of notions
while vainly waiting for tenant he had
boarded three months with Mr. Norman while
offering that desirable property tor sale, and
then quit the town, as valnly leaving behind
the keys with the grocer.
Mr. Norman had just commenced reading
an article setting forth the latest indications in
regard to the promired peach crop, when he
heard that strange voice. Hispaper had with
IN the month twice assured him that the crop
would be "a total failure" and twice that it
would be 1.-THE largest ever known" hence his
attention was deeply absorbed 1t was a sub,
dued rather pleasant voice, and though Mr.
Norman distinctly heard the repeated ques
ticn, he vas so surprised that IN place of an.
swering he stared through his glasses over his
paper and increduOusly gasped, "Wh.what
say
"Are you the gentleman that has the renting
of the house and store across the streety" and
rs tina was the third time that the question
nad been demanded 1t was excusabe that the
voice should not be so low nor the tones so
pleasant
Excuse me- ma'am-miss-I am Would
you like to rent it," said Mr.. Norman with
oeprecating smile; for he imagined that
there was glow on the cheeks of the inuuIr-
or, t"itchlng OF the corners OF her mouth and
a CUNT IN her grey eyes, such as in younger
days he had marked In the late Mrs. Norman
Just previous TO certain great and memorable
OCCASIONS.
We'll, can't say whether it would suit us.
she said slowly and with unmistakable com.
posure, after pause. 81 might look ut il. Is
this healthy place, SIR"
Why. bless you, It is indeed" admitted
Mr. Norman, frankly.
DO had come to the store door. and though
ne was apparently gazing intently down he
street. he saw plump, fair-cheeked maid, the
possessor OF al pair of wonderfully alert grey
eyes whosc age, perhaps, was not above TWEEN.
y ye1n a6he was dressed in almost Friend ]
iike soeer colors, and If her bearing and
sPe1A wcse at times marked with certain
ODD, pftn restraint It was rather an attraction
snsa oehsrwise. 'Js's social opportunities had
Teen lfnfSed, owing tn an infiexible disc,pline
which tho elder Joseph had been able 10 main.
Tain unni recent period, when 40" had be.
gun to DC "wiid, " actually stopping out of the
house az Tate as ten O'Clock at night, and also
WHO knows! dancing But most people sun,
posed 10 70 De an exceedingly steady, sober
"Ye, they told US IN Philadelphia-ye are
from the bouth-that 1t was very healthy
town. said the young lady, gravely. any
grandmother 10 quite feeble, she Ii eighiy-ive; !
and my brother, Mr. Dean u not strong He
= writing book On fhe Rcvclutiop..y war.
a % SSAe9 e oosne md study about The