St. Landry democrat., 1881-10-29

ldlueuLlll9 oNci Luc pour HUE CIltt)
Patrick started so suddenly, when a
voice from the loft above called his
name, that he dropped his measure of
oats on the floor.
"Patr;ck,' said the small voice
again, "we forgot the blankets
"What are you doing up there,
Ally?'
"Otis and are camping out, and we
need blankets to night Ally replied.
Patricl let the barn in such haste
that he forgot to close the door. The
heads of the families held consulta-
ton. At the close, Patrick returned
with blankets. and made the pair COM
Portable.
1t was disturbed night for all.
Patrick on the hay below was sure their
tongues never stopped at all. The long
| sleep in the afternoon and the unusual
supper made them restless, and it was
almost morning when they fell into
sound slumber.
| Al was still in the barn when they
awoke. Even the horse was gone.
Ally took up a paii of fresh milk
which stood near them.
They don't eAeect us home, brt
should think mamma would miss us"
he said.
Sitting in their hay bed. they drank
the milk and ate the remains of last
nights feast. 1t was quite unlike the
CHEEKY home breakfasts. They did not
| feel sure it was as pleasant.
"Do you suppose, Ally, that Your
Uncle Ned's clothes made him tired
I llr,,
though they belonged to some other
| boy. | am more tired than when
began to rest. My papa says that every
body needs occupation, and | think we
had better find some.'
| Down in the barn the door of a closet
stood open where Patrick kept his tools.
There was pail of paint on the shelf.
sit is to paint the doors, Ally" said
Otis. Il asked Patrick yesterday when
| was over here to let me paint Billy's
portrait on his stable door, and he said
must practice on board first But |
think | shall do it on the closet door.
The artist had not commenced his
work when Patrick came in. Good
morning. said he, putting up the paint
and locking the closet door. ''Have
you any engagement this morning? Ii
not, Mrs. White sends her compli-
ments. and she has heard some strange
young gentlemen are camping out near
her place. and would they be kind
enough to call at her house?'
Mrs. White" exclaimed Otis.
Yes, she is your mother, [ be-
lieve
No. said Otis, thinking of Mrs.
White, the invalid lady who kept a
small store down the street; but he
added, after a moments thought: ''My
mother is Mrs. White, | suppose"
''She says aunt Jennie and little
Eddie are there, and would like to see
yoa,' continued Patrick.
Mrs. White received them very
politely, offered them seats, and in
CURED if the camp was comfortable.
Did they expect friends to join them?
or would they remain there alone? The
strange young gentleman were too much
surprised to speak.
They looked so funny, sitting up
straight in chairs, with unwashed faces
and hay sticking in their hair, that aunt
Jennie had to look out of the window,
and little Eddie was afraid
Nora came to the door with mes
sage for Mrs. White; and, when that
lady politely asked them to excuse her,
the little campers could bear it no
| longer.
Ally put on his hat
1--WE will co. said he, '.and see if
my mother knows US
But Mrs. Greene had gone out for the
4
The BOYS went back to camp.
Your fathers barn is lonesome
old place. said Otis; looks like an or
phan asylum. y
"What is that?" inquired Ally.
"a place where they shutup children
who have no mothers
. But. ascending to the "camp." they
found that there was dinner Of fried
fish and bread on board, which they
rel;shed.
The afternoon was very long, forthey
had not the courage to call on Mrs.
/ White again.
1t was almost nj ght when Mrs. Greene
came into the camping regions, smiling.
Ally bounded down to her, exclaim-
ing, Mamma, can we go home? am
tired of this old camp
81 hardly know how to answer you,
my dear replied Mrs. Greene. IS You
went away without asking papa. He
may expect you to ask him if you can
return. But you can 60 with me now
and see him if you like"
The little culprits were SO unconscious
of doing wrong at first, and so peni-
tent when they knew what trouble they
had caused, that Mr.. Greene at once be-
came willing that they should break
camp and come home. Before Mrs.
Greene had them washed and brushed
they had recovered their spirits, and
were ready to forgive the White family
and aunt Jennie.
Nora received them with open arms.
She made quite little feastin honor Of
/ IL cr,,,a,,nd OF