New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
both the girls, as they started on
their walk, the elder leading the way,
and the other following with the little

DOGl Lue girls, dS lucy started on
their walk, the elder leading the way,
and the other following with the little
lunch-basket.
The fresh. .ozone-lade len springtime air,
the wild purple verbenas, and the tall
blue spikes oflarkspur, by heroadside;
the blackbirds trllling and futtering
in the branches overhead. and nov
and then grey squirrel with a bushy
tail, running nimbly up the trunk of
some great tree, and peeping coyly at
them from his leafy retreat: all formed
novel and charming experience.
"Here is the road going to the
right, cried Dora, at last.
g How green and grassy it is. It
doesn't seem to have been Travelled
much" replied Nab.
The road-because, perhaps, of not
being much traveled-was an unusual
ly pleasant one, with the trees arching
overhead, and the sunlight sitting
through in threads of tangled gold.
"There it is," cried Nab, as they
came in sight of a substantial brown
farmhouse, shaded by elms and oaks
that stood on a green lawn a short
distance ahead. "And only see, Dora;
big walnut, right by the front gate!
How picturesque it is!''
Hurrying to the house, now more
eager than ever, they crossed the wide
porch, festooned with honeysuckles
and purple-howered wistarit vines.
Here Nab seized TIE front door knob;
but, to her CONSERVATION, it was
locked.
"Oh, Dora! we forgot to ask Lawyer
Pierson for the key" she cried, regret
fully. "And it's locked"
"Dear me! what shall we do?" asked
Dora, looking Respondent.
But Nab, always fertilein resources
flew to the back door, which, to her
delight, yielded with a touch; and the
girls were soon inside the roomy kitcn-
en-.
"How nice and neat it all is," said
Nab; "and real old-fashioned dress
er, Dora, full of dishes, too"
"And just look at the pantry" re-
turned Dora, exultantly; go nice and
light, and such wide shelves. It's
splendid"
And a cupboard full Of dry fire.
wood" calculated Nab, fairly dancing
around, such was her delight. "Let's
get some dinner, do-I'm as hungry
as a raven; and then We'll ex-
plore round. I'll make a fire and
cook the steak, while you set the table
and make some tea," and taking an
apron from the lunch basket, Nab tied
it around her trimwaist, and proceeded
to llindle a fire in the big cooking stove,
while Dora drew out the old-fash-
ioned dining-table and spread on it
the Turkey red tahlecloth which they
had brough twith them.
"Give me an onion, do; I saw some
in the pantry said Nab, as she put
hung on the wall, and placed it over
the glowing fire. "Steak is ever so much
nicer Favored with alittle onion"
Dora brought the onion, and also
jar OF something which she had found
on the pantry-shelf.
'Tinned peaches!" she announced,
triumphantly, after inspecting the la
bel. II am goin TO open 'em, Nab,
and put some on the table; they'll be
nice with our pickles and cheese"
$50 they will" said Nab, turning
her steak.
The table was already set, and Nab
dishing up the steak, when a step at
the kitchen arrested their attention.
Looking up simultaneous, they
beheld tall young man on the thres-
hold looking them curiously, and with
a little amusement.
Nab it was who was the first to
speak.
"To what we indept9d for this visit,
.sir?' she demanded, with dignity.
,"Visit!' he echoed, looking straight
at Nab, with evident admiration OF
her spirit. "Wel, | hardly call it a
visit, to come into my own house."
"Your house!' cried Nab, with some
asperity, "Why, this is our house.
sir; ours, say! We haye Uncle Reu-
ben's will, giving it to us, here in this
basket"
"Excuse ms," returned the young
man, with an amused smile; "but
don't see how your Uncle Reuben, or
anybody else could give you my prop
erty, when I have never sold it,"
''But-but isn't this where Mr..
Phillip Boyton lived?" It was Dora
who now spoke-falteringly and
doubtfully' for she began to lear that
they had made a mistake
"No, miss, returned the youngman
respectfully, turning to her; "Mr.
Boyton's house. is further along
on the next road. My name is
Borthwick. My mother is dead, my
sisters married. and live bachelor
life here by myself. You can easily
find out that | am not deceiving you,.
ii you'll ask any of the neighbors."
ooh, my!" cried Nab, olasping her
hands.
"We've made a mistake" sighed
Dora, "and we beg your pardon
What will you think OF US for taking
possession OF your house2"
"And we've cooked your onion, and
opened a tin of peaches" confessed
Nab, in accents Of wild remorse," and
burned up all your nice frewood"
Their host broke into a hearty
laugh.
'Never mind; you are entirely vel.
come to it all, and more, too" he