The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1885-10-08
CHAPTER xxn
THE LovEas' MEETING.

THE LOVERS MEETING
Although having said, in his letter 10
! Erastus, that he expected his wife 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 Phippsbure
over hilly road, and it required tho
whole Of a long day to make lhe trip,
dispose OF the articles taken. aud re-
turn aud 1t was no. Yet the middle Of
the afternoon when the letter was fin.
ished. Yet John Parsons had no inten-
tion of telling falsehood. Liars and
towards were his especial detcstation,
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 express his thoughts.
He had given the "hint" which was
the purpose Of his writing, and could
think of no proper way in which 10
close iIis 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 to be fine stroke Of diplo-
macy by 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.
II was dusk when Mrs. Parsons and
Lucy returned.
The husband and father met them at
the gate which opened into the incios-
ure where the shnnty stood. and kissed
as he helped them. dusty and tired, to
descend 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-kettle simmering on the stove,
and the table set The ink-spot on the
table cloth was not visible, for IL had
been carefully covered with 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 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 see
the various packages unwrapped. but
was persuaded TO defer seeing all ex-
cept the articles purchased especially
for him, until they had eaten and cleared
of the table, when they would all take
q 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 home had done, and
of what they would do with the money
to be obtained from the next bit OF
produce which they would have to
spare.
just as soon as poss'b BILE we must |
put up the addition to the house Of
which we have been talking" said |
Mrs. Parsons. 1T won't cost much, |
and will add more TO our comfort than |
else we could get with that
amount of money"
"Did you ask the price OF lrmber at
the landings" asked her husband.
Nhys nv Autu uOt ouDpOoc VIC COuiu /
buy i now, and SO did not think to
ask. "
We'll, l d'know; we've got few
iollars laid up now, and by sellins the
calves we might scrape up enough to
BUY the lumber and get it home before
he rains set in. The roads II be too
Dad for haulin after that If we had
he lumber home, then we'd get the
nails and other things along as we wus
lble, and could do the work myself
luring' a clear spell in the winter"
''But can we sell the calves for fair
,ricep Who is there to buy themp"
bob Meeker. over on t'other side O.
he mountain bout four miles, sad the
ther day he'd buy 'em. an pay cash.
4 I'd bring 'em over any time within
week. l guess we'd better let him
ave 'em an git the lumber It'll be
Mighty unpleasant bein' cooped up here
II through the wet season 'agin', an ef
Ie had the lumber I'd manage the rest
I 1t some way"
fro BE Continued
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