Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1888-12-01

own smoke house for one l declare [ got
so hungry last night that dreamed about
it''
"Don't, Serena,'' said Miss Mandy, with
a!Queet little tremble IN her voice. * 1t has
been a bearing down on me all the morn
ing, what is goingto become of US in our
old age. You and me CAN'T work always,
and the thought of a Buell. being dependent
charity is-'' and here Miss Mandy's
where she had gone, ostensibly to set up a
couple of teacups and a pitcher ra
She was still there feebly rafting the
crockery when shock headed boy stuck
MS head int the door.
"Say, hee'rd the news, Miss Buell9" he
bawled out. MAN told me to come
over'n tell yer that the 2:4O express
is all smashed up over to Lexington, an
old Russ Osborne's kilt. Abs gone after
him anil bring i'm back termorrer"
why, the land sakes, Lem Barker YOU
don't say" cried Miss Serena, with uplift
ed hands, ''are you telling the truth or
a fbbing?" but the boys mother had
called him away from a game of marbles
to deliver the message. and he was half
way back to his play.
did euer," and Miss Mandy sank into
a chair with the traces OF tears still be-
deWlng her spectacles. In the midst of
life we are in death. 1t amt much use
to worry, Serena, about what'll happen to
us tomorrow if we can only scratch up
enough to supply our needs to-day. Poor
Russell Osborne" and the mans misdeeds
and crooked life was forgotten for the
time in their pity for his violent and I'M
timely end.
The sisters were shivering over late
h,.oo 1-fo ,t Tlo~,1
was clear and frosty, when the mornin g
train from the West rolled into the sta
ton. ....-.. . .--.... ....-..- ... *.
''Well," remarked Miss Mandy, discon
solately, as she poured the tea-they al
ways drank tea in the morning, saying
that it woke them up for the day better
than coHee-'tpigeon pie isn't the ten
derest eating that ever was, but it's better
than bread and milk for a holiday dinner.
That was bright idea of yours, Serena,
to catch those pigeons, though I did ex-
pect to see you break your neck a climb
ing that ladder into the loft.''
"Well, Mandy, l just couldn't let the
day go by without some kind of meat
vittles," replied Miss Serena, apologetical~
ly; it certainly was a little of a frisky per-
formance for a woman of her age, elm bin g
ladders in search of wild birds. ''Mebbe
Inc GX6rClS6 I'll 90 me good"
'Bless US, Serena, what is that hack
stopping at our door for" exclaimed
Mandy, irrelevantly and pushing her
glasses up on top of her head in her ex-
element, instead of leaving them on her
nose to see with. . -.. -.-....
Il declare if ldon't almost believe that's
'Gustus," joyfully exclaimed Miss Serena,
as man jumped out with an immense
turkey, the legs sticking out from its
brown paper cover in his arms; "that's
just like one OF his capers, TO come home
and bring his dinner with him." and the
old ladies hobbled to the door as fast as
their rheumatic limbs would carry them,
getting out with their heavy baskets Of
good things
If this don't beat all the surprise par
ties ever heard off, said Miss Mandy.
While happy tear stole down her cheek
The table was set as it had not been before
in years, not only with the goodly contents
OF the baskets, but with the Buell. heir
looms Of linen and silver which had been
stored away far too good for use
The pigeon pie had been sent to a poorer
neighb0r, and the turkey amply filled it's
place, while the sisters fairly beamed with
happiness and content Every trace of a
misunderstanding between them and Gus
had been swept away with few earnest
words, and they Were happier than they
had ever expected to be again.
''These aunties are going home with US,
papa, aren't theys' and Kitty smiled up
into Mandy's wrinkled face ''There is
ample room there for all of u.s. and we can
be so happy together"
'sLa, child, - replied Miss Mandy, feebls.
protesting; it looked very inviting to her to
have home OF plenty and some one to love
and take care of her. 'sWhat would you
do with pair of old women like us in your
grand home'
'sDo with you, why,set you up with a room
OF your own, with a servant to take care
Of you, and with all Of us to love you, Of
course" replied Kitty
1t seemed like a gigantic undertaking at
first to the sisters, who had never been out
OF their native State; to go " Out Wess,n
and the Buell. pride rebelled somewhat at
the idea of being dependent upon even
'"Gustus," but all their objections were
overruled, and they were made ready for
the journey by the experienced and skill
full hands of Mrs. Buell. and Kitty.
Restitution seldom comes in the real
course of life, but it did in this case. Russell
Osborne had a son, who had always been
ashamed of his fathers crooked WAYS, and
as soon as he could settle the affairs Of the
estate, he sent the sisters, now happily
domiciled in their Western home, a gener-
Gus atonement for the wrongs of the past.
well, Mandy, yon can have your lace
curtains at last said Miss Serena, with a
historical laugh, as the letter, which ac-
companied the papers, was folded away,