Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-03-23
Dohnny'S Summer Boarder,
BY EMILY HEWITT LELAND

~tllpNlAOHf Jul nO Ollt III Ills lam ~ VI
II the ncighborhood ever called him
mything but johnny. even though he
vas grown 10 be Il tall young man SIX
eet high, with shoulders accordingly,
nd trim brown side-whiskers that gave
lis BEAUTIFULLY tinted face an English
ouch, only he was not aware Of it.
Yes. everyone. from the long settled
lalf-farmer minister who preached in
he old church. down to the dozen bovs
md girls who trudged over the h lis TO
he di-tr ct school, called him John
iy' in the merriest and most Affection
tie manner, and was always sure of n
pleasant response and generally a hap
~ smile that showed a row of teeth as
White and clean as "A hounds.
But there came a time. alas. when
Iohnny's SIN lie vanished from his face
md rs kindly brown eyes returned
,ut a sad greeting. 1t was the time
when, within a week his father and
mother were borne TO the burying-
round on the hills de that lay remind
nNIk III NAtN VI inc tlAltl W llilON :.
They were so happ ly united in this
ife. it was but natural that they should
20 away together into the great new
country that awaits us all. But their
,oing was almost more than Johnny,
heir only child, could bear. At first
10 thought he must sell the farm and
20 far away INTO new scenes and try 10
orget his grief somewhat. Yet, after
few slow passing weeks, this desper-
tie condition gave place TO "A gentler
adness and the feeling that the old
iome was now doubly dear, because
wherever he looked and whichever way
he turned everything rem nded him
more strongly than when the father
md mother were lving-of the faithful
learts who had toiled and planned and
saved solely for him.
A widowed aunt remained with him
ltter the burial-announc ne her deter
ninatiOn to stay until the poor DO
could collect his wits and know what
ne was going TO do. She vas a mel
mcholy woman who had been IN
Mourning for somebody or other near
V all the DAYS of her life. and this loss
,f a dear sister only freshened the
rape on her black bonnet, and gave IA
narrower and sobrrer stripe to her fav-
,rite black and white bingham gowns.
Il did think" she coufided to "A neigh
)or. 'that I'd have a black sateen with
tsprig in it for this summcr-iust TO
iven up a little, YOU know-but now
t;-t,. NJ .r.'5 n,,a .ap't iara ntf In
my sprigs. All. me, Life but a
iream. a fleeting breath, how 90 the
rapor illes!'
And vet in spite of Aunt James apti-
ude for mourning she was, in IA sad
md composed way, very fond of the
bright and stir NJ things Of life. Hav-
ny lived for "A long time IN a large
manufacture NJ town sine found quiet
arm-life very depressing. She sighed
ludibly for electro lights and street
ears. missed the clamOr of mill-whistles
and church bells and even bemoaned
he absence of the strong-voiccd buj ers
If old iron and paper rags
johnny tried his best To cheer her sad
Ipirits. Every time he went TO 1.-THE
Junction" rs their little railroad town
was locally des grated, he brought
nome n Danbury News or a Detrot
Free Press for her spec al reading, and
II the evening he played his least
nournful AIRS on his violin; but Aunt
Jane remained uncheered. such a
lonesome little fam " to DO for--that's
he trouble W tn me she grumbled.
What is the good of going through all
The rigmarole OF housekeeping just to
iecd q hired man and "a hired girl for
Johnny's appetite is no where IN keep
ng nth his size and / was always "A
,mall eater.
Probably it was from casting about
Tor Offsets TO lonesomeness that Aunt
Jane was led to hit upon the summer
ooarder idea. There are two front
chambers and the parlor that could be
spared just as well as not. And then
I'd have something TO take up my
mind she argued.
So JOHNNY wrote some advert Sc
ments and Sent them to Boston and
New York newspapers.
They were modest and truthful adj
refreshments. There were only two on
three war; and never TO be- caught old
trout in all the length of Cherry Creek.
so he made no illusions to ''capitaI
ishing.' and as no boat could turn
about the creek. even at its widest part.
ne refrained from mentioning Zine
boating" Mosqu toes sometimes in
insinuated themselves in an about the
place, so he did not affirm that they
were entirely unknown. Aud as there
was title to hunt but a family OF crows
who had the r nest in Hemlock Swamp.
he put forth no tempting statements to
yearning n mrods. He only mentioned
''rooms and board in a private fam ly
In a pleasant country region" and SC
lived on at ease W tn his consc ence.
The family was certainly a quiet one,
and pleasant" was almost too mild 9
term for the truly noble scenery In
which the farm was located.
Greatly L Johnny's surprise and Il