The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-11-25


fiuttering in the branches overhead,
and now 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 a novel and charming ex-
perience.
Here is the road going to the right"
cried Dora, at last.
How green and grassy it is. 1t
doesn't seem to have been travelled
much" replied Nab
The road-because, perhaps, of not
being much traveled-was an unusually
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
tance ahead. ''And only see. Dora, a
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 honeysuckies and
purple-tlowered wistarla vines. Here
Nab seized the 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 despondent.
But Nab, always fertile in resources,
flew to the back door, which, to. her
delight. yielded with a touch; and the
girls were SOON inside the roomy kit
chen.
How nice and neat il all is" said
Nab; 'and a real old-fashioned dress
er, Dora, full of dishes, too"
''And just look at the pantryr' re-
turned Dora, eXultantly; 80 nice and
light, and such wide shelves. It's
splendidn'
And a cupboard full of dry fire.
wood" calculated Nab, fairly dancing
around, such was her delight. Lets
get some dinner, do-Tm as hungry as a
raven; and then We'll explore 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
trim waist and proceeded to kindle
fire in the big cooking-stove, while
Dora drew out the old-fashioned dining
table and spread on it the Turkey-red
tabIe-cIoth which they had brought with
them.
Give me an onion, do; | saw some in
the pantry" said Nab, as she put the
steak in large iron skillet, which
hung on the wall. and placed it over
tbn clpyrinr ssSYNaIr
much nicer favored with a little on
ion."
Dora brought the onion, and also a
jar of something, which she had found
on the pantry-shelf
Timed peachesn' she announced,
triumphantly, after inspecting the label.
81 am going to open 'em, Nab, and
put some on the table; they be nice
with our pickles and cheese"
80 they WILL" said Nab, turning her
steak.
The table was already set. and Nab
was dishing up the steak, when step
at the kitchen door arrested their atten-
ton.
Looking up simultaneously they be-
held tall young man on the threshold.
looking at them curiousiy, and with
little amusement
Nab it was who was the first to
speak.
80 what are we indebted for this
visit sir?" she demanded with dignity.
''Nisit"' he echoed, looking straight
at Nab, with evident admiration of her
spirit ''Well, | hardly call it visit,
to come into my own house"
Your housem cried Nab, with some
asperity. ''Why, this is our house, sir;
ours, | say! We have Uncle Reuben's
will giving it to us, here in this bas-
ket"
Excuse me-" 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 have never sold it,"
''But-but isn't this where Mr.. Reuben
Boyton lived?" 1t was Dora who now
spoke-falteringiy and doubtfullv, for
she began to fear that they had made
mistake.
No, miss" returned the young man,
respectfully, turning to her; MIR. Boy
tons 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, if you'll ask any of the
neighbors,"
'Oh, my!' cried Nab, clasping her
hands.
We've made a mistake" sighed
Dora, land we beg your pardon. What
will you think of us for taking possess
sion of your house?"
And we've cooked your onion, and
opened tin of peaches" confessed
Nab, in accents of wild remorse, land
burnt up all your nice trewood."
Their host broke into hearty laugh.
Never mind; you are entirely well
come to it all, and more too," he said.
Come, | see you've got dinner ready.
was expecting to have to cook mine
myself. VIII you let me share it with
you?"
''Oh, thanks. That will be Jolly"
cried Nab, Frightening up at once, and
clapping her hands
SO they all three sat down. The meal
proved.a merry one Charlie enjoyed
the steak and all rs he thought he never
enjoyed a meal before.
ut was all that porter's fault for
directing US wrong" pouted NAB.
The road you turned off on is not
the regular country road" explained
Charlie; Its one | made for my own
use, the other is about half a mile fur
ther on; but if you'll wait for quarter
of an hour, I'll get out my ira p and
drive you over myself" adding mis-
chievously, 80 that you won't make
any more mistakes" and, without wait
ing for a reply, he hurried out to the
stables.
The ride was a short one, and Nab
and Dora were soon in possession of
their new house. 1t proved, however.
to be only a small house. But it was
neat and snug enough. though by no
means, so roomy and substantial as the
handsome dwelling they had at first ap-
propriated. Still, it was home, and
the sisters proceeded to make themselves
as comfortable as possible, A cow was