Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-07-12

"A letter Tor you, molner, auu InS
very superscriptlon is as good as
photo of the writer. L can imagine
prim, dlgnifed spinster of uncertaln
age, to who m the least shadow OF lnde-
corum is an objectionable sin. Mrs.
Mehetable Morton! Why, little mother
Hetty. your very name looks unnatural
1t is so plainly precise. wonder ii she
accepted your invitation to make US
visit, hope not, for We'll haYe TO drop
all pet.name.. e..while she's here. She'll
Mehetable you and Nelson me.
wouldn't wonder but that she considers
It altogether too familiar to call people
BY their given names, and we'll be at
once promoted to Mr.. and Mrs.
DO let me take the letter, Mel. I'm
20 anxious to read what she has writ
ten. She used to be my dearest friend,
years ago, when we were little girls.
haven't seen her for a great many
Y ears. Ah, just as 1 thonght She
can't leaye home for any length OF time
hut she writes that Peters child-Peter
was her brother, two or three years
younger than herself-is with her. She
the child is lonely, and needs a change
quite badly. If it will not be a bother
to us, she will send Harrie down Tor a
week or two, and she will come at the
end Of that time and make me a short
visit
Mel pucKered up his lips, and gave
| vent 10 long, expressive whistle.
"A little boys next thing to an old
maid. What will you do with the small
| tornado. mother:'
'Oh, Mel, you'll have to amus' nln
| in some way! AS for me, rather
like The idea of having a child about
once more. Pve lost my little boy you
know with fond, upward glance
Speaking of that lost boy OF yours
reminds me that I've an old chest oi
tools in the garret, and I'll win his
everlasting friendship, and bring the
condemnation of Aunt Thankful down
on my devoted head, by presenting
them on the very day Of his ARRIVAL
III have Bridget fix up the little room
next to yours for Harrie. She can
make It 90 coy and pleasant ; and you
uust take him out on the lake in your
sail.boat occasionally said Mrs. Nor
ton, whose kindly heart was Instantly
filled with plans for the comfort anc
pleasure of the expected guest.
swhat a pity that the depot lsn'l
nearerv said Nell rehectivc!y' 1
guess III take the horses insead oil Tue
| carriage when I go to meet him. Inc
little fellow will be delighted with a
horseback ride. Who ever saw boy
that wasn't?'
sOf course he will. the poor little
dear. expect he's had rather a sorry
time of it, with only Thankful for COM
nanv. He shall make all the noise he
| likes for the next two weeks.
Mrs. Morton instantly answered MISS
,sooro,s LATTER. setting an early day Tor
Harrie's visit.
The day arrived, and Nel' with one
| Of the carriage ponies and his own
handsome horse, started Tor the depot
| In a few moments the tram came 'hun
dsring in, and the usual ou'tIe an'
hurry ensued.
i Mel vainly searched among the ne"
arrivals for his little charge. Ihere
was little boy with bis nurse and
big boy with his father; but no ool
answering the description oil the oh'
Mel was III search OIL .,
Dear me y he said in perplexlty' :
hone he hasn't been taken on Win 'h'
train
At that moment he espied a yonn!
lady. whose wide, blue eyes wore
very anxious expression, as she searched
) the faces OF those about her IN
, vain attempt TO fnd the one for whlcl
sbe was looking. Stepping up to be
aide. Mel lifted his hat politely, an
asked il he could assist her in an
way.
Il expect ed young lady to meet m
at this train, but fear that somethln
bss occurred to detain her, she saic
j with tears of vexation in her eyes.
: And came to escort little boy
e who has failed TO put in an appearance
, to my home,' he said smiling. III 20
d will tell me the young lady's name
k nerbaps may assist you in finding he
4 residence :,
: Her name is Miss Nell Norton ID
answered.
|, And the little boy L was to meet
d ,b;s train was Harrie Moore! exclain
j. ed Mel. while his features went throug
:, a series of comical contortlons' In
}, vain attempt to conceal the merrimel
n which this ludicrous mistake stirred L
'r within him.
1t -you-Nell"
=, Harrle looked up at the TALL han'
II some broad shouldered young man
!! bewildered surprise, scarcely known
% whether to laugh or to cry at the mi
IN mistake.
Is MY name is Nelson, but mother
ht ways calls me Nel,' he explained, pit.
er ing her evident embarrassment. 'Ar
's YOU must be Harrie, whom mother Sc
er me to meet. 1 shall have to take y
er Into the ladies' waiting room while
!, {! make some changes in my arrane
Q. ments for conveying you home.'
~ D.oc,r;no N hack he place1 her