Dodge City times., 1888-03-29

tnough she was so uncomely, her dress
looked full Of smuggling places for chill
dren's heads, and her large shoulder like a
pillow for the forlorn.
"NOw, take off your things and be COM
Portable" she said. 81 was afraid YOU
couldn't come this evening, the weather's
80 raw"
IL don't mind the weather., said
Phoebe, "when am asked to supper with
you. Here you are shut in princess-like,
with red-hOt forest stacked in your fire.
place, the woods outside breathing, and the
kitchen kettle singing. wish Thorney and
were set up in a log house life.''
''How is Thorney!' inquired Mrs Barker.
He is we'll He is so stout and braw-
n.y." She looked at the hearth without
Frightening. I" am glad he has muscles,
anyhow"
"Mr. Barker's late tonight" said the
schoolmaster's wife. "His school is so full.
He's fitting some of the young men for col
lege, and often helps them after hours''
She hung up her guests wraps on deer
antlers. Several doors of various heights
opened from this general room Beyond
one the kitchen showed it's FURNISHED stove
and tin vessels; another, stopping down.
ward step, gave entrance to 4 bedroom
where Mrs. Barker's best finery hung on
the log wall protected by a muslin curtain.
Two more doors just like it probably opened
on similar state-rooms. But the masters
library was bolder conception, cast out
Like dormer-window from the main pile.
to be entered by pine archway hung with
curtains of chintz calico The shelves were
very full. Rudely carved pyramids of
pomegranates supported the masters row
Of Greek authors. His study-chair was
gnarly stump, chopped into shape and cush-
ioned.
A long clock in cherry case filled one
corner beside the fireplace, is yellow dial
marked in Arabic figures Cne iron hand
pointed to five, and with deliberate, raspmg
voice, it told the hour.
Phoebe stood on the hearth to warm her
hands, while Mrs. Barker drew table from
the wall and set up its leaves on extra legs
The broad-boarded floor showed the MANY
grooves this table had made in its many
journeys. The masters wife spread cloth
Of unbleached linen, exactly balancing the
ample folds at each table corner, and put
her blue-edged dishes and horn-handled
knives and forks in array upon it. Her
talk with her guest was as brisk and con.
slant as the firm leather pat of her foot
steps on the naked floor. She brought Jams
and finally scented cake from her store
room. The masters chair was dragged
from his library to preside at the foot of the
table like throne over two splint-bottomed
seats and one wooden chair with gliding on
the back. The hostess sewing rocker stood
near the fire for Phobe's use
II told Mr.. Baker If he saw YOUR brother
to ask him to supper along with you.''
SeIhOrnev wOuld ha too Shv IN Gonna ,, oo;d
Phoebe, wistfully.
"You pear very different to me-" re-
marked Mrs. Barker, candidly, as she set
down the maple strip in a glass dish and
in goblet the silver spoons she
had bought with her own first savings, be-
fore she married Mr.. Barker 81 ALWAYS
tell girls" said the masters wife, standing
back and admiring them, ''the first thing |
they ought to do Is to get set of spoons, |
Iake some OF your earnings and buy 'em |
whether you're thinking of going to house
keeping or not. Then you have EN-"
"Thorney and can hardly afford silver
when we set up our house," said Phoebe.
"Merely to begin it viii be great under.
taking. But We have saved more than a |
hundred dollars between US, Mrs Barker.n
"Well, that doAs first-rate for two or
phans. And hope you've put it out safe"
"l-loaned little Of nine," said Phoebe,
hesitating ''The rest l keep by me; to
be always ready
Mercy! you Oughtn't to keep such big
sum IN the house. You bear the spoons in
mind" urged the masters wife, laughing.
''You amt going to keep old MAIDS hall
with Thorney for ever"
hope l am. 1t would be almost too
much to have snug log-pile like this, and
be sheltered up among trees, and never
tormented by anybody. Thorney is good
boy, and l have only him 1t would be
NICE" said Phoebe. locking her fingers. .sif 1
could be proud of him: If he were bright
and handsome, like such young men as Mr.
Gurley. and could direct and advise me in
stead OF my having to direct and advise him.
But he can't help it, you know, and must
Just cover up his weakness as well es can
md take him for his good qualities.''
'You dear childr' said the masters wife.
Hes my brcther," explained Phoebe,
sand even il b appeared dis
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