McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-12-20

ranged IN uaU DanueaLS over Glo teIu-
Piles and ears and gathered at the back
of the head into a meagre coil, held in
place by a comb of imitation shell,
much too large and heavy for its office.
Over quilted petticoat of some dark
green wooden stuff she wore a lowered
cotton short-gown, belted at the waist
by a girdle of the same material, which
was sewed to the garment at the back
and fastened in front with hooks and
eyes.
A ribbon of parti-colored plaid encir-
cled her withered neck, furnishing ex-
cuse for the display of a square gold
pin, in which gl.ttered. yellow some
thing, fondly believed by its owner to
be topaz.
The room accorded well with the ap-
pearance of its mistress. 1t was exduis-
iGely clean, but everything in it bespoke
the economist and the utilitarian. The
spindle-legged table, of which but one
leaf was raised, was covered with a
cloth of coarse brown linen; the cups
. and plates were of various patterns, EVIL
IDENTITY remnants of sets that had ceased
to exist as such. The walls were tinted
a smoky gray, and the floor painted in
severe squares If black and white, the
The wooden chairs were luxurious with
cushions of dark chintz, tied firmly to
their backs and legs by bits of scarlet
braid.
One really luxurious chair there was
near the window, an invalid's chair,
though it's occupant would hardly have
been classed as an invalid. This occu-
pant was Mr.. Prewett, who, having
finished the substantial portion of his
meal, had retired from the table carry
ing with him his second cup of coffee,
to be enjoyed over his book. Seated as
he was, glance sufficed to show that
he was hunchback and dwarf. His
face had the peculiar conformation in
separable from that sort of deformity-
the high, square cheek bones, wide
mouth, slightly protruding, and eyes
set a la Chinois. 1t was, nevertheless,
face full of kindness and intelligence.
The thick, bushy hair stood stiffly out
above broad, well-rounded forehead,
and the pale, gray eyes cleaned with
an intellectual light beneath the over
hanging brow.
As he read, taking occasional sips
from his cup, he smaked his lips enjoy
ingly.
The outer door looking eastward, and
giving upon small garden, stood open
admitting broad block of sunshine,
which was welcome to lie upon the
painted door-whose colors it could not
injure-since it tempered the air of the
room without cost, and the spring
mornings were still trifie chill. 1t
admitted also the fragrance of honey
suckle and the song of a Gagged mock
ing bird that hung in the window of an
adjoining house.
In full harmony with these intruders,
seeming almost as if it might be an
emanation from them, was the bright
haired, angel-faced child, perched be-
side the table upon an improvised high
seat, formed by layirg two great quar-
tos upon one of the cushioned chairs.
Not even the ugly calico apron which
enveloped him, nor the stains of mo-
lasses about his rosy mouth, could hide
or mar his wonderful beauty, as,
stretching out his hands above his emp
ty plate, and springing up and down
on his dangerously elevated perch, he
clamored inarticulately for more food.
sNow, Georgia." said Mrs. Prewett,
in high, thin voice, so thin that it
wavered like worn blade, ''you can
hay&just one more slice, with either
butter or molasses, but not both"
1.-The child kicked his little feet against
stable, and beat impatiently with his
spoon upon his empty plate. "Da-da,
mo-da-da," he cried, utterances which
might mean anything, but which is
grandmother Interpreted to mean mo-
fasses, and at once proceeded to supply,
while George beat triumphantly upon
tho TO blo with simon and feet