The Red Cloud chief., 1885-09-04
CHAPTER XXI.
r,Iy LOVERS MEETING.

Although having said, in his letter TO
Fra tus. that he expected his wife and
dau. liter soOn and must prepare fH
their coming. John Parsons didn't
really look for them yet for some
hours.
1t was fifteen miles to fhippsburg
over n billy road. and it re uired the
whole of a long day to MAKE the trip,
dispose of the articles taken, II re-
turn; and it was DO, Yet the middle OF
the afternoon when the letter Was tin
ishei. Yet John Parsons had no inten-
ton Of telling n falschood. Liars and
towards were his especial de'estatioD,
and this slip Of his from the path OF
tru;hiulness. like nine-tenthS of the
white lies so common among all
classes. was the result Of an inability
to readily command language IN which
to express his thoughts.
He had gwen the hint which was
the purpose OF his writing. and could
think Of 40 proper way in whlch 20
clos" his letter and at the same time
tell EraStus not to mention, t. Lucy or
Ia Mrs. Parsons, the fact If his having
been written 10. The whole affair WAS
intended to be n fine stroke Of diplo-
macy ny 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-rcspect of his daughter.
Il WAS dusk when Mrs. Parsons and
Lucy returned.
The husband and fatf er met them at
the gate which opened into the incioS-
ure where the shanty stood. and kissed
rs he helped them. dusty and tired, to
DIES 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-kct,le 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 a broad
dish; and il Mrs. Parsons noticed it
when she removed the cloth and shook
out the crumbs that evening. she was
wise enough not IA mention il. and in
the morning y clean was SubSti-
tuted and the stained cloth thrown into
the wash.
Johnny WAS of course ANXIOUS to see
the various packages unwrapped. but
was persuaded 70 defer seeing all ex-
ospt the articles purchased especially
for him. until they had eaten and cleared
off the table. when they would all take
3 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 wha. they hsd pur-
chased with the proceeds; of what those
who remained a, home had done. and
Of what they would do with the money
10 b. obtained from the next bit Of
produce which they would have to
spare.
Just IS Don As possible We must
pat up the addition 70 the house Of
which We have been taking" said
Mrs. Parsons. 1T won't cost much.
and viii add more to our comfort than
anything else We could get with that
am ,unt Of money
did YOU ask the price of lumber At
the landing" asked her husband.
Why. no; Ibid not suppose We could
buv il now. ami so did not think 10
ask
We'll. l d'know: we've got 3 few
dollars laid up now. and by sell n the
calves We might >crape up enough 70
buy III. lumber ard Ce, il home before
ihc rains set in. The roads II be too
had for hauin' ac.,r that. II We had
the lumber home. then we'd e, the
nails and other things Slon- a. We WIS
ab!e. and | could do the work myself
during = clear spell in the winter
but can We sell the calves for ; fair
price? Who is there to buy ,hem'"
bob Neeker. over on t'other side o
the mountain bout four miles. said the
other day he'd buy EN-. an pay cash.
efT6Sring 'em over any time within q
week. cusss we'd better let him
have 'em an gil d lumber; MI b
mighty unpleasant, beiS e. 8,
Al through the wet season sEsI,,. -,
We had the lumber I'd mansse ~
OF it some way"
no II oox1uCknl