Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-05-05
4 FATHER LOST.

twenty-five years ago, when 4 spring
evening WAS moist and cloudy over all
the region about Mud Creek, Paris aud
BetSrv Lane came >auntering To the
woods cabin from school
Bet-ey was IN inch or two taller than
Paris, though he was ten year, old and
she only nine. He looked like 4 DELHI
crate and thoughtful small old man in
butternut-colored trowsers reaching
nearly to his arm-pits. and correspond
ing coat and vest which hung unbut-
toned, exposing his hickory shirt His
red feet had found themselves sandals
OF mud in crossing Mud Creek Flat. and
he felt with pleasure, which half-shiv-
cred, the soft stuff still sponging up be-
tween his toes.
Iacis carried the dinner-basket. so
Retsey had nothing to hamper her. and
stepped out as freely Is her straight
dress, which struck her heels at every
step, would let her. Both of them car
rIed sprigs of Young sas>afraS. and
markell their way with nibbled leaves
and peeled sticks. Bctsey's dress was
made just like her mothers. and hooked
in from below its hem appeared the toes
Of her cowhide shoes; above the corded
tHp, her round. ague-tnted face and
tlaXen hair
Before they could see home through
the timber, the cows voices came down
the road, and their dog barkcd as if he
scented them afar off. and felt grateful
to them for this one daily occasion for
making the lonesome illinois woods
ring. First they saw the stable; it was
a. rail pen covered with corn-stalks.
and the door hung open on wooden
hinges.
Pap amt home yet" said Paris,
shifting the dnner-ba>ket to his other
arm. - don't see the horses or wag-
on"
"But there's Safe" said Betsey; for
Safe. like loyal yellow dog. rushed to
meet them as if making the effort of his
life. And there was the house crowded
by trees, with the whole woods for
a dooryarl; and Oh the log step was
mother. little Elihu aud Hiram lust be-
hind her.
Paris and Betsey smet supper as they
approached Well did they know that
corn ponc was browning in the Dutch
oven upon the hearth. Goals beneath
and above it; that the sassafraS or spice
wood tea was sleeping. to be tinctured
with new milk and maple sugar. and
become the most delightful draught
anybody ever drank; they snulied the
perfume of fried wild onions. which
grew rank and early along the creek.
and a hint of chicken gravy almost
strong enough to make them suspect
there was company.
However, no neighbor appeared with
in when Betsev passed her mother and
entered.
Your pap amt come home vet"
said Mrs. Lane, looking up the woods
road uneasily. "IIc ought to be here
with his last load o wood. It'll soon be
dark"
Mud Creek is highcrn I ever saw
it," remarked Paris, vcnerably. 1T 5
most up to the bridge. If it keeps on
rainin' we can't get across the flat to
school,"
The isn't going to be any higher
waters said Betsey from the gourl
diprer. yet dripping from lis visit into
mothers jar of spring beer.
The mortal who never tasted it can
have 10 conception of this drink-all
the roots and barks and spicy odors it
suggested; lis yeasty lightness and keen
tang; its honey sweetness and whole
some bitterness; and the beneficial eff
feet the drinker in IN 'diatcly felt on his
blood!
We can't 90 to the xfibiHon if
Milford bridge is washed AVA" con-
tinued Bet>ey, hanging up the gourd by
its string.
II know it," said Paris, pensively;
land Eve got my piece by heart so I'm
almost sick of it.
"Mother,' said BetSey, They're all
going to wear white dresses. and the
boys IL wear white pants. The master
plays on his flute. and we got songs
learnt 70 sing all together.
=" Don't bother me with Your exhibi-
lions now,' said Mrs. Lane. drawing
her eyebrows down as she strained her
sight up the woods road.