The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-28

NUMBER %.
II s'pose he was stealing some of our corn
to feed his hens. I've been thinking it went
of pretty lively"
"Oh, Fdnny, you don't believe it," cried
her brother.
I'D like to know what else to believe"
I'D believe anything Of 'Leazer West"
said old Mrs. Wall. ssThere amt nothin' he
amt mean enough to be up to. Old coots'
"I'm going to take It over and tell MIN
whee found II tnd see what lie say
Fanny said. She took shawl from a peg
behind the door and put 1t over her head.
"Aint you goin' to wait till after break
fastsn
mo, I'm afraid he'll be gone. He goes
real early to the shop some morningsp
"Fanny."
"Whatln
"Don't you be sassy"
Fanny laughed. Don't you be afraid,
mother" she said. "1'm just going to tell
him where found 1t, that's ALL" She sped
out OF the house across the yard to Eleazer
Vests. There was no snow yet, although it
was within two weeks of Christmas. The
matted grass was sparkling and still with
the hoar frost; 1t cracked under her feet.
The air was keen and clear. She ran along
with her head up, and breathed it in. BY
tho time she reached Eleazer's door, the
frost seemed to have affected her, and made
her sparkle like the grass. Hercheeksw were
beautiful color, and her eyes were bril-
liant. She knocked, and the old man him
self came to the door; he had on his over
coat, and was all ready to go to the shop.
His eyes surveyed her with surly amaze
ment, but his voice was affable. "Oh, it's
you, Fanny" said he; "good mornin'."
"Can sec you minute, Mr.. Wcst"
"Why, yes, 1 s'l'ose you can, Fanny. Walk
in."
Eleazer led the way slowly and Fanny fol-
lowed. They went into tho great middle
room, or sitting room. There was no fire.
Eleazer kept fire in the kitchen only.
Fanny could hear Mrs. Pendar stepping
about out there The flag bestowed chairs,
and the secretary, and the mahogany tables
stood close to the walls, and the centre of the
room was dreary waste Of gray carpet.
Fanny did not sit down. She stood before
Eleazer and began. "You said the other day
that you'd lost something" said she. "Will
you please tell me what it vast" Fanny
kept one hand tightly closed; Eleazer riveted
his eyes upon it.
"What do you want to know fore" he
asked.
"I've found something, and 1 want to
know If it's what you lost"
"What is it, Fanny."
II don't think it is the way for mo to tell
You until 1 know what you lost"
Suddenly Fanny began to pity the old man
although she could not havc told why. He
looked at her closed hand, and his eyes were
alive with wistful anxiety. All ut once he
seemed very old to her. She opened her
hand, 'It's a fifty dollar gold piece" said
she. "1s this what you lost:'
Eleazer took step forward he stretched
out his hand. "Ycs-that-that's it, Fanpy.n
no stalnmercd.
Fanny put the gold piece in his hand. ~
found it in our corn-box," she said; but her
voice was not pert nor sarcastic; it was
rather timid
Eleazer clutched the coin; his face was
burning red, his eyes We're evnsivc. ssYcs,
l rccollect now," he faltcred; II wcnt-over
to your home to-borrow little corn ono
day; ours was out, AM i didn't want to 60
down TO the store on purpose. s'pose L
dropped it then didn'ts'pose your mother'd
mind if borrowed little corn,
mo, she wouldn't" replied Fanny.
'Fanny."
'Vhat say!"
"You won't say anything about this to any
bodys"
mo, shan't speak of it,"
"Fanny, you sit down here nHnuten
II guess must be going, Mr.. West"
"You sit down just moment. There's
something want to get.
Fanny sat down, and old Eleazer hurried
out of the room. He soon returned, and he
had au old fashioned plaid silk dress over his
arm. ''Thcrc, Fanny" said he, 81 thought
may be you'd like this, US long as you were
going to get married"
Fanny looked Mt the dress and It was hard
for her not to laugh. The silk was large
purple plaid with dash of pink; the full,
soft skirt foated over the old mans arm.
Fanny pictured herself going to church in it.
''Thank you, Mr.. West, but guess won't
need it," she replied
But Elcazcr pleaded so with her to take IL
that she finally consented, and carried it
home across the yard
"For the land sake, what have YOU got
thcrc:" her mother cried out when she came
into the house.
"My wedding silk" replied Fanny grave.
ly.
"Whatm
"My wedding silk; don't you think it's
prettys"
'Where did you get it?''
"Old MIR. West gave it to me''
Old Mrs. Wall put on her spectacles and
bent her head over the silk. "It's the silk
gound that Sary West had when she was
married. said sk, ats a dritful big plaid:
never thought 'i1syas pretty"
Fanny sank into chair and began to
laugh.
~ guess you'll think it's pretty when you
see INC in it, said She
''How on earth came he to give it to you3r
asked her mother "Don't act sou
"It's reward" said Fanny "Hc gave it
to me for finding the fifty dollar gold piece.
didn't want to take 1t, but he felt SO bad
had to. Oh, dear! shan't look pretty in it,
mother' l won't alter it mite It's got
leg-of-mutton slccvcs''
.'HOw you actm said her mother l wish
it was q dress you could do something with.
1t amt tit for IL thing but to line quilt"
&1IS 4@CIluNE &AlU OlO
Mrs. Wall
When Mrs. Pendar entered there was an
odd expression on her face. She looked ut
once wise and meek Shc had no sooner
closed the door than she cast her eyes on the
silk Good land, that amt the one he give
you!" she cried. Then she colored violently.
"Then you knew about it," said Fanny.
II amt one of the kind that goes round
listenin'," replied Mrs. Pendar, with an in
dignant look, ''an' you needn't think am.
But when Pm in the but'ry mixin' up bread,
an can't help hearin' WHAT'S goin' on, l can't
that's ALL amt one Of the kind that listens,
an noverwas; but these partitions between
the but'ry an the settin' room is list like pa
per. Ishan't say nothin' bout what heard.
don't go tall<in' bout the folks live with.
If he wants to borrow corn he can borrow
corn it's nothin' to me. But that amt the
dressn'
eyes, 'tis," said Fanny. Shan't 1 look
pretty in it, Mrs. Pendar''
at NIL