Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-05-09
AT THE STORES.
Three Very Happy People, and
What Made Them So.
CHAPTER L

with July sun beating down upon the
building, is wearying; but when to all the
harasslng calculations as to the necessary
details OF boys school outfit, from a
woman's point of view, are added the
necessities from that same boys point of
view, then is that woman's life a burden
indeed
'>Oh, say, aunt, I don't want any more
Observation-Disclosures; but can't possibly
60 to school without decent racquet"
And when this same boy seems to have
solved the problem of perpetual motion,
to say nothing of an ubiquitous presence,
1t is easy to understand the condition of
mind and body with which Mrs. Dale
finally suggested an adjournment to the
retreshment room. Five minutes before
she had seen the boy descending with in
terested face-which he vainly tried to
make lOrdly and calm-in the lift, and had
reJolced over the prospect of some peace
tul moments over the contemplation of
socks, and here he was at her elbow again,
with his usual preface to new want:
''Oh, say, aunt, what rot!" with dis
gusted glance at the pile of hose on the
counter. II call that waste of money. I
shall never wear all those things. 1t
would be so much better to spend the
VIZ ~
ated''-
And, pray, what part are those to
''Oh, to boil a fellows kettle or things,
You never know''-
my dear Steve, I know nothing. I
thought did till camehere. But now I
am willing to own my ignorance. Never
will pretend to the knowledge of boys
necessities again. / am worn out-and
have become philosopher. We wear too
many clothes. We ought to return to the
simplicity of our ancestors, and clothe
ourselves in blue paint and fishing rod.
Let US go and have some tea. Perhaps q
bun might be reflection of some weight
to your mind and body. If you can sit
still five minutes without moving or say
ing: oh, say, aunt, you know,'I will
give you seven"
He tucked his arm with eager, grateful
affection into hers, and iled her off to the
refreshment room.
1t was crowded, but, after much i'm
portant eagerness, with some slight POM
posity as beftted the dignity of his
quest in her service, he found her table.
The order was given to the waiter, but
scarcely had the boy sat down than he
bounced up again, having caught a
glimpse of ''fellow" at the further end
of the room. His aunt leaned YEARLY
back in her chair, as he plunged reckless
1y between the tables, looking after him
with shining, lovingieyes, which suddenly
dilated and darkened into amazement,
fear, anger, and strange, regretful pain.
A man had suddenly risen from one of the
tables between her and the school-boys.
She had not noticed him as he sat, but
now, when he rose and shut out the dis
tant prospect of her sturdy young nephew
greeting his friend, she saw nothing else
but this tall, slightly-built young man,
with his face still pale from recent
severe illness. His right arm was in q
sling. He caught sight of her at the same
instant. He hesitated for a second, his
pale race growing paler. Then he strobe
quickly toward her. She looked down for
a moment, toying with the parasol on her
knee. When she raised her eyes again
they were calm and cold.
"Major HuddlestoneW she said, with
the same cold brightness, 'what an age it
is since we metv'
Major Huddlestone colored slightly as
he TOOK Ee1 hand, apologizing for doing
SO with his left.
II know" she said hastily, her eyes not
quite so calm; but the waiter brought up
the tea and cakes, and at the same mo-
ment young Steve came blowing back
through the tables, regardless of the toes
and feelings of the occupiers. my
nephew" she said to Major Huddlestone o;
'and ne is going to school in the autumn,
and his mother asked me to bring him here
to get his outfit. His name is Stephen
Dale"
''Yes," said the Major.
1t was nephew of her late husbands.
1t made him think of that husband. Per-
haps that was what she intended him to
do, he thought as he tugged at his fair
mustache and looked gravely at the bow.
"And jolly day we had, too, though
aunt is awfully tired. But we shall have
to come another day; we haven't half fin .
ished."
''We shall have to come another dav. ,,
she said, smiling with sweetness that
was angelic, considering what she had al
ready gone through.
"And then we shall see about that fish.
Ing rod and things; and oh, I say, aunt, I
really must have''-
"Another bun," sal ! the Major, good.
humoredly. 81 wish could eat buns!"
The boy looked up at him with scorn and
some resentment.
''There's nothing to speak of in these
buns. could polish off Dozen"