Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-09-09
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
a Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ACVA MILTON KERR.
COPYRIGHT, 1856, BY THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY1
CHAPTER Iv.-CoNr1NuEn.

turned and, with perceptible litter,
said: "Well, come in. You ought to |
see him; you've come far enough, and |
no mistake" And Absalom entered, |
MS face shining with gladness through |
It's coat OF soil, and followed the lady |
up the stairway to John Earnings
room. Entering that small apartment
ne slid along the wall with his hands
working behind him until he reached
the bed, and looking a moment at the
pretty sleeper his eyes filed and he said:
''Golly! he's growed!' Mrs Whitney
standing by the door bit her lip with
desire to laugh. and when the boy
turn ed with a sigh and came out, she
opened the door into an opposite
larger room and said: Here is an
other you ought to see." And Absalom
going stealthily up to the bedside said:
'.He's purity, too; looks like his pap"
Yes" said Mrs. Whitney, trifie
more soberly, ''he resembles his faith
err
'How do you know how his father
looks?'' she asked, as they descended
the stairs.
''Oh, seed him in Ohier," said the
boy, rather indifferently. looking round
as they came into the sitting-room.
Then he went out and sat down upon
the edge of the porch and was silent.
After a time Joel Whitney, accom-
panied by Ether Popp, came up the
street. The girl was tittering at some
humorous chaff he was Kidding himself
of, and when they came upon the
porch he suddenly stopped short, and
looking down at the small com bination
of tatters and dust he burst out with:
''Sulphur and smoke! what's this
you've got, Mary?" The woman sit
ting inside the door only gave a low
laugh in reply. Then he stopped down
and looked at the boy, who turned his
bright eyes upon him soberly. ''Whv,
it's aliver' said Joel. whats your
name, my lad?"
Sab Heater NV Ohier."
(which way?''
81 jist come to see Their kid"
SHOW did you get here?"
Grid, fit and rum"
..Fit? What did you fight?"
s.Dogs and buffers"
Then Joel sat down in chair and
shook with laughter. Have you eaten
any thing lately?" he asked.
ssYesser."
.Whenp''
yesterday"
yesterday? Mary, have you given
him any thing?" said Joel, little re-
proachfully.
.Why, no." said Mrs. Whitney, Il
didn't think of il.
.sCome in here" said Whitney.
SOLDERING. ..If you haven't got the sand
none of 'em has. What's the mat
tel?' he asked, noticing that the boy
limped. =,
SALON..
Then the man laughed again, look
inc at the ragged boy compassionately
..Here, Ether" he said, lily round
and get him some good hot victuals.
Come out with me to the pump and
wash yourself. my boy"
When washing himself Absalom
said: What ais that grip
s.What girlp" said Whitney.
The one as you tole to git the
grub
.Why, not any thing, I guess
Why?" -,
"Her eyes is left-handed on botl
sides"
Then Joel went in with his generou:
bulk shaking again. Presently the boy
was seated at the kitchen table, his
shock of hair looking very wild, anC
his sun burned nose glistening from it
late application of soap and water
His ewes followed Ether soberly abou
the room as he gulpcd down the food
without seeming to chew it much o.
consider its palatability. Joel came IL
with twinkling eyes and sat down b.
the table. How long have you beer
on the way?" he asked.
"'Bout month, l guess.
Ibid you have much troubleP'
..Some:' then after a moments sill
ence: ..Drat'ern'
..Who?n said Joel, smiling.
ooh, a woman when l wus comm
..What did she do to you?"
s.Sicked 'er sheep onter me.
s.You mean dog, don't your
"No, it was a sheep. L went IN
rard to ak a woman who stood in tn
door to gimme somethin' ter eat, an
che said: Sick i'm, Tom! Sick i'm
Toni looked around fur the dog
hut blamed if the dog want sheep
an it come tearin' round the house an
butted me clean through the fenc
inter the road!'
Joel roared and went into the othe
room. Next morning he came up t.
the house with new straw hat an
some other clothing for the lad.
.You are not going to keep that DO,
around here, are you, Joel?' said Mrs
Whitney.
eyes. certainly" he answered.
Her face hung little cloudy owe
her sewing. After moment she said
without looking up: .Have you an
more prospective foundlingsP''
..None up to date" he laughed.
.What will his folks say. do ,yo
supposed she queried. in complain
..Oh, 1 will write to them. l dar
cav they are poor, and if he has
GOOD home here they will be gia
snouoh.'' Then he went out t
find Absalom, and ere long tha
nerspiring young person was whistlin
pbont the barn in his new apparel an
new office of chore-boy to the estat
l;shment. 1t was something wonder
fnI to witness the temerity with whlc
he eroomed the horses; passing unde
them. putting his hands into thel
,,nouths. lifting up their feet, and sur
~ other fearless liberties. Thel
coats. too, soon shone with unwonte
Flnster under his ceaseless rubbing, an
their Joints became exceedingly roun
18th luxurious living. Joel was ais
owner of a cow. large, dappled. wit
onI fine ewes. but of eXac