Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-10-02
CHAPTER XXI.


Although having said, in his letter to
Erastus, that he expected his vito and
daughter soon and must prepare for
their coming, John Parsons didn't
really look for them yet for some
hours.
1t was fifteen miles to Phippsburg
over hilly road, and it required the
whole of q long day to make the trip,
dispose of the articles taken, and re-
turn; and it was not yet the middle OF
the afternoon when the letter was fin
ishcd. Yet John Parsons had no inten-
ton of telling falsehood. Liars and
towards were his especial detestation,
and this slip of his from the path OF
truthfulness, like ninc-tenths of the
white lies so common among all
classes, was the result of an inability
to readily command language in which
to EXPIRE his thoughts.
He had given the "hint' which was
the purpose of his writing, and could
think of no proper way in which to
close his letter and at the same time
tell Erastus not to mention, to Lucy or
to Mrs. Parsons, the fact of his having
been written to- The whole affair was
intended 10 be n fine stroke of diplo-
macy M which the father hoped to re-
unite those whom he loved, and whom
he believed were warmly attached to
each other, without wounding the mod
esty and self-respect of his daughter.
1t was dusk when Mrs. Parsons and
Lucy returned.
The husband and father met them al
the gate which opened into the incios.
,uhn tln sI,n nt,yS OF NnH and l.
as he helped them, dusty and tired, to
des end from the wagon. Then he
handed out the bundles and packages
which they had purchased, after which
he cared for the horses while the women
entered the house.
They found the fire burning brightly,
the tea-ketlle simmering on the stove,
and the table set. The ink spot on the
table cloth was not visible, for it had
been carefully covered with broad
dish; and if Mrs. Parsons noticed il
when she removed the cloth and shook
out the crumbs that evening, she was
wise enough not to mention it, and in
| the morning clean one was substi-
tuted and the stained cloth thrown into
the wash.
| Johnny was of course anxious to 50,
the various packages unwrapped, bu,
was persuaded to defer seeing all ex.
cept the articles purchased especially
for him, until they had eaten and cleared
off the table, when they would all take
look at them.
AS the family sat at supper they
talked of the days journey, the prices
received for chickens and eggs and
vegetables, and what they had pur
chased with the proceeds; of what those
who remained at homo had done, ant
of what they would do with the money
10 be obtained from the next bit O.
produce which they would have L
spare.
"Just as soon as possible we mus
put up the addition to the house o
which we have been talking" sale
Mrs. Parsons. at won't cost much
and will add more to our comfort thar
anything else we could get with tina
amount OF money"
"Did you ask the price of lumber n
the landing?" asked her husband,
"Why. no; did not suppose we coult
buy it now, and so did not think /,
ask"
well, I d'know; we've got fev
dollars laid up now, and by sellin' tn
calves we might scrape up enough t.
buy the lumber and get it home befor
the rains set in. The roads II be to
bad for haulin' after that III We ha'
the lumber home. then we'd get III
nails and other things along as we WI
able, and j could do the work mysel
during clear spell in the winter"
"But can we sell the calves for fai
priccP Who is there to buy themp"
"Bob Meekcr, over on t'other side G
the mountain bout four miles. said lh
other day he'd buy 'em, an pay cash
Of I'd bring 'em over any time within
week. ! guess we'd better let br
have 'em an git the lumber. tn b
mighty unpleasant bein' cooped up her
all through the wet season agin', an {
we had the lumber L d manage the rei
OF 1t some way"
fro BE Continued