The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-28

Bulda's face frightened amazingly, and
che made rush at the cook stove, which
received such vigorous poking and
forcing in OF fuel as it had probably
never known before. Her next movement
was q dive down cellar, from which she
emerged with both hands laden with re-
quirements for cookery, and was filling
the kitchen with the clatter OF egg beat
ing by the time Miss Susan had called
Hiram, the hired man, from the stable
and was holding converse with him ON
the back porch.
"Bring the horse and cutter to the door
as quick as you can" she commanded.
When it appeared Hiram received list
of orders which would have confused any
but an unusually capable brain. Then
Miss Susan returned to Hulda, and the
two worked with quick hands and will
ing minds.
It was quite dark when Jim, cold, hun
CRY, weary and foriorn, drew near the
place he called home.
"Wish they wouldn't none Of 'em
come" he sighed to himself. Buff
there amt u light in the parlor! That's
Huldy-she's real good to me. I'll fill
her wood box fuller after this, see if l
don't. But I do declare, it looks as il
the big lamp was lighted"
"Whats to pay, Huldy?" he whis-
pered, creeping into the kitchen. whats
the parlor lit up for and what's Aunt
Susan got on her Sunday dress for? "
He had caught sight OF his amt, who
turned quickly from him, which, how
ever, did not add to his surprise.
"Has company Gomez" he continued
to question.
Well-yes," said Hulda, slipping into
his hand a couple of doughnuts. "Some
of the new minister's folks has come, and
you're to get your shoes blacked and get
slicked up and go in"
Jim's heart sank still lower. He did
not object to seeing the pleasant face of
the minister's wife, but what was to be-
come of his boys? But he made up his
mind to coax Hulda to let them have
game in the kitchen if they should come.
Jim went up to the garnet in which he
slept and made some change in his cloth
ing. AS he opened the door to return to
the kitchen he started at finding his aunt
outside.
"Aunt Susan" he exclaimed, in fear
that his boys had come and thought she
was about to find fault with him for in
terfering with her company.
She took his hand in warm clasp and
looked into his eyes
"You 90 look like your father, Jim,'
she said.
The voice was as soft as the words, and
Jim gazed at her in dumb surprise.
"Jt's your birthday, Jim,' she went on.
You're getting to be a big boy, and
you're good boy, too, and it's time you
were having some good times. Your
boys have come Come down"
She led him down to the parlor from
which Jim could hear murmur of mer-
ry voices before the door opened. Merry
indeed. No four boys ever made such
hum. ALI the boys he knew were there,
three of them being the minister's boys.
The fire cracked and snapped as if in
CHEEKY welcome, and the room was bright
and warm. His eyes again sought his
aunt's face and read there a hearty as
surance that all was right as she closed
the door.
One burden remained on his mind and
before long he managed to slip out and
speak to Hulda, who met him as he ap-
preached the kitchen door and held it so
he could not get in.
"Huldy," he whispered, "Tm afraid
haven't got nuts enough for SO many.
Couldn't you ask Hiram to crack few
more?"
"Yes, will" said Hulda.
"And- Huldy--if you'd get few more
apples-if Aunt Susan is willing? I'll do
as much for you some day, Huldy.'
$50 long back to your company"
said Hulda giving him a push. Don't
you be Altered. I'll see to the nuts and
apples"
Her tone was very assuring and Jim
went back ready to take in the full de-
lights of the situation. All this company
for him, and Aunt Susan SO kind. Could
he be dreaming?
An hour later the door was thrown
open and Hulda's beaming face ap-
peared.
"Walk out to supper, young gentle
men,"
And again Jim wondered if he could
be dreaming, as he with his guests stood |
before long table in the sitting room
which liberal hand had furnished with
things well calculated for the delight of
boys eyes and the tempting of boys ap-
petites. All the bravery of the old Sta
pies china was there = high stemmed
dishes filled with candies, nuts and fruits;
not hickory nuts and not apples things
of everyday country home life = but |
things wearing an unmistakable air OF
unusual festivity. And the cakes bore
silent but powerful testimony that Miss
Staples's long ago skill as cook had not
deserted her.
With Hulda she waited ON the boys |
= 4 = Il Il