The Red Cloud chief., 1882-02-09
NEW YEARS CALLS.

ETcd-
"Of course I am, Johnny responded
the rosy, froSty-whiskercd, middlc-agcd
gentleman they Were talking 10. as he
opened the door of his carriage.
What are you and your friends going
20 doP' .
We're going 10 make calls. too
.ang out one of ~.Johnny's comrades
d" hc and | and Tracy Plumb
What, is Tom Fitch going with you?
Where are Won going to call2''
"Ererywhere,' sturdily replied Tom
Fitch. with a hitch at his ncck-tic. 'All
around the block"
You are, are won't Have YOU any
cards, for places where they're not at
home?"
Yes, sir, we've cards for every
BODY"
Indeed, Let me see them
Uncle Fred's good-humorcd face was
all a broad grin as he held out his hand,
tor the two smaller boys could not have
been much more than eight wears old.
and johnny Cook himself, their head
man. was barely ten.
Il wrote nv own cards" said John
nv, with proud dissatisfaction, aS hc
tlt-Efi Il IsiIl'lliai VI bllH vi W lllAt IDtNtf-
board from his coat-pockrt.
"I~Ip-top!' exclaimed Uncle Fred;
"only YOU should always spell your
name in one way. J-o-m-n-i i>n'tn-arlv
- good a J-h-o-n-y, and that ones
j-o-n-c. But they'll all do"
Mine are better than his said
Tom. Mother gave me some of her
odd ones; and SO did sister Belle; and
Tracy Plumb has some of his own
fathers. Show 'cm Ia him, Tracy"
That is grand said Uncle Fred.
Now You must always send Your cards
IN ahead of YOU, 50 they'll know who's
coming"
He WAS getting very red in the face
Just then, and the BOYS did not hear
linn nUitcr, rs lac hurricdly stepped in
10 ih" carriage and drove off:
Mustn't let them see me laugh.
Might scare en- out of it and spoil the
fun. But shouldn't | like To DE some
where when those three come in?'
There were no signs of laughter on
the faces Of Johnny Cook, Tracy
Plumb and Tom Fitch. 1t WAS dccid-
oily a serious business for them, and
they marched steadily away up the
street.
"Wh"rc'H we call firSt?' said Tom.
Let johnny tell. lie knows said
Tracy.
There's 4 basket on Mr.. Jones
d"nr-bcll, boys. Wei 20 there first.
That TO put our cards in
Up the steps they went. and the bell
MAS duly rung. hut ii had 10 he pulled
awain before any one came 10 the door.
Well, thin, what is it.. What do viz
want
Why. Eiddy," exclaimed Tom.
were calling, Didn't YOU know it
WAS New Years Day.
Il 1t calm We are? An didn't We
SEQ the ba>kit? Mrs. Jones isn't at
home the dayt'
OH" said Johnny; shes ont max
ing her own calls. Give Biddy your
cards. bows
How'd on, thin, livery wan of VIZ,
till | show her them cards
Il thought o SAID she wasn't at
home
..-Dadc and she isn't; hut I'd rather
lose me place than not have her LUX ut
fhim. Shtand where VIZ are till |
come
The Jones family wcrctoo near neigh
lor> for Biddy not To know those three
Young gentlemen; and in a moment
more a ~nicc-looking lady upstairs was
saving Ia herself:
.~'J-o-n-n-y. johnny, C-o-o-o-k-e. Cook,
and Miss Arahclla Fitch and Mr.. Marina
duke Plumb -
Its the three b'veS. num- cN-
claimed Biddy, with her plump sides
shaking with fun. Sure, an its calls
they're maxim"
Bring them in. Biddv. Call up the
children. and bring 4 plate of cake.
Quick aS ever You can I'll come right
down 10 the parlor."
She was there. sure enough, just in
time 10 hear Tracy say: There, Tom, |
told You johnny Cook knew. And Mrs.
Jones wouldn't let Biddy tell stories
about her.
Wish You a happy New Year, Young
gentlemen. Have a chair, Mr.. Cook.
Please bc seated. Mr.. Plumb and Mr.,
Fitch. Our Young people will be here
in a moment"
Were not calling on the children,
to-day" said johnny, but YOU might
let them come in"
And in they came. n round half dozen
of little Jone>eS, and Biddy after with a
hig plate of cake.
Tom" whispered Tracy, johnny
said we mustn't eat too much in any one
place
I'm put the rest of mine in my peck
ct"
And - he did; hut il was a good while
before Mrs, Jones GOT through asking
them about their plans for the dav. and
,s,.r ,ba. :, ,yo- bar.l y-,rl- - l,,D D,,
Jones from going with them. In fact,
the moment they were out of doors
again. Ben sat down in a corner and
began Ia howl over II. % that he had 10
stav in the corner till dinncr-time.
Where II We 20 now johnny
Judge Curtin is the biggest house
om the block. boys. and he hasn't any
children"
That's the place. THEY'LL have ice,
cream there, see if they don't"
But the homer the bell of Judge
Curtin'> door was pulled. the door swung
open wide. and there stood his biz
waiter. in n Swallow-tailcd coat ant
white cravat. looking down in wonder
on his diminutivc guests. Ii was il
vain for Johnny Cook 10 look big anC
hold his head up as he handed u tn,
cards. and Tom and Tracy edged q littl,
behind him.
-Vot is dis? You poys want some
tings?'
New Years calls" explained John
nv. Are the ladies at homer"
so? Very goot. Walk right in.
dake in dose card. toe. De madam,
will be proud 10 see YOU. Walk in"
johnny knows muttered Tom I,
Tracy. They'll have cream here"
MAY be some candy, too"
But the big waiter was bowling then
into the parlor now, where Mrs. Curtir
and her grown-up daughters were en-
,ertaining quite an array of their gentle
! men friends, and Johnny whispered
back:
Hush, boys. There's a table. and
it's full"
Avery large and stately lady was Mrs.
Curtin, and 1t seemed 10 the three new
corners that everybody in that room
was al least a size or two larger thai