The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-10-06

flir-cheeked maid, the possessor of a
pair of wonderfully alert gray eyes,
whose age, perhaps, was not above
twenty years. She was dressed in al
most Friend-like sober colors; and if
her bearing and speech were at times
marked with certain odd, prim re-
straint, it was rather an attraction than
otherwise. JOS social opportunities
had been limited, owing to an inhexi-
BILE discipline which the senior Joseph
had been able to maintain until re-
cent period, when 10 had begun to be
"wild," actually stopping out of the
house as late as 10 o'clock at night, and
also, who knows? dancing. But most
people thought 10 to be an exceedingly
steady fellow
vs, vtoy told us in .!..itSsc c,Gipil ia-
we are from the South-that it was
very healthy town." said the young
lady, gravely. "My grandmother is
quite feeble, she is eighty-five; and my
brother, Mr.. Dean, is not strong. He
is writing book on the Revolutionary
war, and he wishes to come and study
about the battle that took place here.
If we liked the place we might live
here permanently, and then grandmoth-
er might let me do something with the
stole-fancy work and trimming per-
haps."
can excellent idea Most young
ladies now days are not so thoughtful"
said Mr.. Norman, with appreciation.
The serious young lady had made
decidedly favorable impression. $50,
bring the keys That's my son he's the
the youngest; my married daughter
lives out in Ohio.
cts very nice house. if it is DID,"
said 10, coming forward with the keys.
can excellent, comfortable house."
added the father, taking the keys from
JOS unwilling hands, and giving one of
those stereotyped looks which always
accompanied his "Don't 60 away, Jo."
10 watched the demure young lady
and his father cross the street and en-
tered the house.
eyes, there he goes, coughing his
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 a tract, by requesting her to
keep an eye on the store a moment. 1t
was a most unheard of action on the
part of Joseph to leave the store in his
fathers absence, a 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 keyhole 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 a 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, wellw 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 a satisfactory
solution to his perspicuous question, he
heard the voice of Miss Dean in one of
the back rooms.
"What d lovely old man your father
seems to be-" She was saying, doubtless
thinking he had returned to the gro
Gerry; "a deacon, he tells, me, in one of
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 a remarkable lady for
her years." said Jo. at venture.
ooh, she is. Her conversation is
beautiful. Every one loves her; and
bro her and I 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 of
at least one member Of such desira-
BILE family over his "wild" son. In
few minutes Miss Dean and Joseph re-
turned, and found Mr.. Norman re-en-
tering the front door.
That old-fashioned bulk window"
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 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 | 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,
"I'm 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 hope we'll not
long be strangers"
You and grandmother I know will
soon be good friends. How far from
here did you say the church was?"
"Only four blocks" replied Mr.. Nor
man, "and the parsonage is next door.
Our pastor, Mr.. Ruddiford, is out of |