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

The following paragraph appearing
in the Renton Weekly Neaus some days
after the Dean family had come to the
town, first introduced them to the no.
tice of the general public; but by that
time their praise had become a classic
song in Nerraw street:
"Mr. Charles Dean, who, we under
stand, has for several years past been
engaged ona work relating to the Revo-
lutionary struggle, has rented of Mr.
Norman, senior, the old Rayner prop
erty, while writing that portion of the
work of which our city was the proud
scene. Mr.. Deans sister accompanies
him, and also his venerable grand
mother We wish him all success in
his labors."
Previous to this not few observing
ladies and gentlemen of Renton, out
side of Nerraw street, had questioned
who the "Mrs. Deans Family" could
be who stood pledged to ten dollars on
Mr.. Norman's subscription paper IN be-
half of the victims of the Bridge street
fire. But those of them who had casu-
ally dropped in at Norman's grocery
with the innocent remark, "Oh, by the
way, Mr.. Norman, who are these Deans
see on your list of contributors p
found no new information in this Neans
paragraph. They had then and there
cheerfully Endorsed Mr.. Norman's opin-
ion that Mrs. Deans family was de-
cidedly honorable acquisition to Renton.
Mr.. Norman, Sr., afterward recalled
that the time was about 10 o'clock in
The morning when, at 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 occu-
pied the elder grocer until the hour
mentioned. when it was his habit to
take the Ne,cs in one hand, a certain
deal chair in the other, and making an
oft-repeated remark to his son: Don't
go away, Jo," proceed to settle himself
under the awning. Mr.. Norman also
recalled that on this morning, 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. Rayners no
ton store. There was a written bill
tackled on the store door, and although
Mr.. Norman, even with the aid of his
glasses, could not have deciphered it at
the distance, he repeated as though
reading: "House and store for rent.
House furnished. A long established
stand for q notion store. Full partlcu-
lars at Norman's grocery, opposite"
To a chance observer there was moth
ing to suggest the cause of Mr.. Nor
mans smiling at that mossy-roofed
frame house that fully twenty years
aged the Fund building next door,
which was called both venerable and
antiquated. 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 a single person had
taken the trodble 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 a tenant; he had boarded three
months with Mr.. Norman while offer
ing that desirable property" for sale;
and then quit the town. as vainly leav-
ing behind the keys with the grocer.
Mr.. Norman had just commenced
reading an article setting forth the lat
est indications in regard to the prom
ised peach crop, when he heard that
strange voice. His paper had within
the month twice assured him that the
crop would be "a total failure" and
twice that itwould be "the largest ever
known" hence his attention was
deeply absorbed. 1t was a subdued,
rather pleasant voice, and though Mr..
Norman distinctly heard the repeated
question, he was so surprised that in
place of answering he stared through
his glasses over his paper and incredu-
lousy gasped, :Wh-wh-what say ?" + +
Are you the gentleman that has the
renting of the house and store across
the street, and as this was the third
time that the question had been de-
manded, it was excusable that the voice
should not be so low nor the tones so
pleasant.
Excuse me. ma'am-lniss- | am.
Would you like to rent it?' said Mr..
Norman, with deprecating smile; for
ne imagined that there was glow on
the cheeks Of the inquirer, twitching
Of the corners of her mouth and CLINT
IN her gray eyes. such as in younger
days he had marked in the late Mrs.
Norman, just previous to certain men,
orable occasions.
well, l can't say it would suit US,
she said slowly, and with unmistakable
composure, after pause. II might
look at it. Is this healthy place. sir?"
~ Why bless you'll it is indeed, adj
mltted Mr.. Norman, frankly.