The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-08-05

! laSulOu.
IAN old.maid aunt and troublesome
boy. Delightful ncighbors, must say,
for a young fellow like me, who detcsts
old maids, and especially cats. I hope
she is one of those spinsters we hear OF
occasionally who don't keep cats"
The flowers were sent to his neighbor
by boy who consented to do the CT:
rand for a dime; but Nellie received
them as coclly rs they had been pre-
sented, for Willie had related all Of his
conversation with their next-door neigh.
Dor.
"Hc need not have presented them
simply because the dear child tried to
take what he honestly thought belonged
to him." she thought, with warmer
glow on her checks. "Howevcr, since
be has sent them, will manage to return
tho favor, and then we will be even"
The next day Nellie dispatched Willie
to their neighbor's with dish Of de-
licious cream cakes.
Many times she obliged Willie to re.
hearsc the words he was to repeat on pre-.
scnting them.
Tell him that Auntic Nell is much
obliged for the flowers" she said, land
that she hopes he will be pleased to accept
these cakes in return"
Because she added, rehcctively, in
On undertone, never thinking that the
child would repeat it as = part of her
message, "an old bachelor like him will
be glad to taste bit of something nice. "
Willie did the crraud with very bad
grace.
"Such nice cakes, an such lot Of
'em," he muscd. "IIorrid old butcher !!
inst don't think Auntic Nell kept many
at home for me-
When Mr.. Leroy opened the door in
answer to Willie's knock, Willie was
swallowing very fast, in order TO get
entirely rid of the last mouthful OF
cream. cake which he had been eating,
because he came to the decision that so
many cakes might make his tenant sick.
There were suspicious.looking crumbs
about the child's rosy mouth as he said,
speaking rapidly, as though repeating o
wall.learncd lesson:
"Auntic Nell is much welcome for
the flowers you sent her. and she hopes
You'll bc-bc real thankful TO get these
nice cakes. Though ] told her that the
flowers was mine, an she ought to give
the cakes to me.) She said that an old
butcher like YOU would think these cakes
was awfully nice.
"What did he say, Willie7" asked
Nellie, as soon as The child reached home.
"He amt got the least bit of man
ners," said Willie. disdainfully. ".Maybc
thou gh," he added, rehectivcly, 'he was
80 glad to get the cakes that he couldn't
say much. lie said tell you-wcil, it
meant thank you;' an then he got rcd
in the face, an choked an coughcd, an
heard him q a.coughin' in his room till ]
got homo. l wouldn't wonder 8 he's
got the hoopin' cough
I'm sure there was nothing about my
simple little return Of favors to laugh
at" said Nellie, with tears of yexation
in her eyes.
On Sunday, Nellie left Willie to
amuse himself, while she attended
church.
As she came to the door at the close OF
tho morning service, she discovered with
dismay that it was raining.
ooh, dear, and 1 did not bring my
umbrella" she said, regretfully.
"Allow inc to offer YOU the shelter OF
mine," said pleasant voice. as finely.
dressed young man stepped forward, and
without waiting for a reply, held his um'
brclla over her pretty new hat.
All through the service he had ad
mired Ncllie's fresh. sweet face, and
wondered who this little stranger, in
their quiet village could be.
Glancing up, she discovered the one
face which had attracted her own atten'
ton.
Having introduced himself and learned
her name. in return he said:
"As you are stranger in our village
and to me, it will be necessary for you TO
direct me to your home"
On giving the desired directions, he
said
"You live on the street with myself"
Then began pleasant conversation on
various topics, and each discovered that
the other was a most delightful compan-
ion. long before they reached Neliic's
gate.
"Such an entertaining young man."
thought Nellie. "Can converse we'll on
any subject. I hope l shall have the
privilege of meeting him often"
"Such an agreeable little girl"
thought Mr.. Leroy. 1t really does a
fellow good to meet sensible young
lady, who can think of something be-
side her own pretty face. shall make
this event the beginning OF q pleasant &C.
ouaintancc, if can"
"This is my home," said Nellie, paus-
ing at the gate.
lie glanced upin surprise.
At that moment golden head ap.
pcared at the door, and Willie's shrill
voice called OIL:
That's my Auntie Nell. Mr.. Butcher
man, an you can't have her! Say, did
you eat all the cakes:'
The two young people in the drizzling
rain at the gate looked into each others
faces quickly.
But the humorous part OF the whole
affair overcame them. and the next mo-
mcnt they were laughing heartily.
"Thc cakes were delicious, Miss Par.
sons. he finally managed to say.
event YOU come in and have an
other" she asked, shyly, with merry
light in her blue eyes.
lie did not wait for second bidding,
but accepted the invitation at once.
AS for Willie. Mr.. Leroy soon won his
heart by informing him that his pockets
were perfect mines of wealth to good
little boys with blue eyes and golden
hair.
Willie was Mr.. Leroy's sworn friend
from that day. and sounded 'iAuntie
Ncll's" praises in his cars from morning
until night.
Through the combined efforts Of Mr..
Leroy and Willie. the opening in tho
hedge: fence was made large enough to
admit the chlId's chubby body without
cndangering face or clothes, and he was
allowed to wander about at will, with
the understanding that Mr.. Leroy was
to reserve the flowers as presents for
"Auntic Nell"
Bouquets and am-cakcs found their
way back and forth quite often. until in
tho course Of time, Mr.. Leroy and Nellie
came to the conclusion that one cottage
was sufficiently large for all three; and
when Nellc's two young friends from
tho distant factory came to make her the
long contemplated visit, they found her
in pretty home, with u kind, loving
husband, whom Willie persisted in call.
ing "thc butcher, and a noisy little boy,
who ate cream cakes and gathered flowers
! to his hearts content. -R0s II. Thorpe.
The Food OF the Danes.