The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-09-22
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR.
[CoPYRIGHT, 1885,, BY THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY.
CHAPTER IIL-CoNTiNuEp.

harm through him, no amount of
mental castieation could seemingly
efface the fault. One afternoon in late
October upon the occasion of one of
these cyclonic visits, from his convolu-
tons on the apple-bough he suddenly
dropped to earth, and turning to the
hoary whittier said, with q sort of
painting shout: Hes nailed UNI upn'
''Naied what up?' slowly growled
the imperturbable Jade,
Mailed up the winders!'' calculated
the lad as he seized the Dough, and
whirling himself in circle over it
came down upon the ground again.
You mean the winders of Earnings
house?' queried Jade.
The same!" shouted Absalom as
he went over the Dough again.
do you hear that, mother?' said
Jade, ceasing to white and looking
toward the door.
Hear whatpn said Grandam Erie,
coming forward with her knitting in
her hands
"Why, Ivyl Snaer has had the win
ders of Earrings house boarded up"
said Jade.
"What for2n said the knitter, looking
over her spectaclcs at Absalom.
'Dnnno.' replied that worthy from
where he hung full-length from the
bough by histoes, "guess he don't want
nobody tol live there norhimselfnuther. -
Then dropping to the ground he righted
himself and sped away across the
meadows to his home.
That's Gurus" muttered Jade, COM
mencing to white, while Grandam
Eric, picking up the child, went IN to
solve the puzzle through the mild al
embic of her pipe.
Next day the restless Absalom, hat
in hand. came racing across the mead
ows again, and racing three times
round the house, obviously to soothe
his excited nerves, swooped in at the
door. They've GOMEZ" he snorted.
The onset was so sudden. and the
news of such seemingly startling
character, that Grandam Erie and
old Jade sprang TO their feet together
and snorted back: "Whom leaving
their mouths hang open after the word
had been shot forward.
They as owns the kidr' quavered
Absalom, looking at the child, and
draHing his hand across his eyes at the
evident hazard OF injuring the perpetu-
al hurt upon his nose. ''They as owns
the kid is comet he quavered again.
Then seemingly unable to bear the
thought of Il possible separation from
the child through this event, he sud
denly turned and rushed out and up
and down the garden paths, and whirl-
ing himself oyer the apple-bough, raced
OIL across the meadows, nor saw the
larks and insects that flew before him
for the tears that filed his eyes.
After he had gone old Jade lifted his
eyes to Nora's face, and seeing her
trembling lip, took down his sharp and
well-scoured hoe from its resting-hooks
above tic kitchen door, and went
out into the garden with his chin
sunkcn deep in his beard.
That afternoon the old gardener
came into the house with weak sort
of step and said to Grandam Erie,
much as if hearse were passing by:
"Ihcy'rc comin'!' and the two sat
down with sinking hearts. Presently
lvyl Snaer's two-seated buggy, drawn
by his smart bays, came into the throat
OF the little Eric lane, and turning
ut its foot drew up at the gate.
Two, persons were in the car
riagc other than Ivyl Snaer,
Evidently they were husband and
wife, the husband being large
well-formed man with keen blue eyes, a
square pleasant face. and a singularly
white and well-flled skin. The wife
had evidently the finer taste in dress,
but was slightly short in stature, lit
tie flat of face, with dark bead-like
eyes, and a general air of knowing
what was going forward. The three
ahghted and preceded by the
smiling Joyl entered the house.
With much trembling and trep-
1datlon the aged pair arose
to greet them, and with great oiliness
OF speech the urbane Joyl presented
them. Bowling in soft curve from
head to foot, with his hat held a little
from him in his left hand and his right
extended in an even line. he purred
with melting smile: '.Mr. and Mrs.
Erie, do me the honor to accept the
acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Whitney.
MIR. and Mrs. Whitney, Mr.. and Mrs.
Eric. Mr.. Joel Whitney, of Illinois,
Mr.. Eric, is the late lamented John
Earnings half brother, and therefore
entitled to your confidence and / pre-
sumo, if it meets his pleasure, to the
custody of the child.n
Having delivered himself of this,
Joyl Snaer, without looking at the
child or indeed much at any thing,
withdrew, murmuring as he went
something about his horses not stand
ing quietly, and Mr. Whitney advanc-
inc shook hands in a hearty business
like manner with the aged couple,
and Mrs. Whitney followed, though
with q touch of stiffness. After
all were seated Mr. Whitney
turning slightly noticed the child
leaning against old Nora's knee,
aAd burst out cheerily: ''Is this the
little manp Well, well, how do YOU do
Mr. Earling?" and held out his hand.
The child regarded him moment
wonderingly, then clambered into
Grandam Erric's lap ard pushed him
against her. At this the
gentleman laughed and said ';You
don't love your enemies, do you? or
set much store by your relations?
You're wise, my little man, you're
wise!" Then he laughed again, and |
farming to old Jade said, soberly: 81
L 4.