The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-07-26
Driven From Sea to Sea,
Or, JUST A CAMPIN'.
III G. G. POST.
PUBLISHED BIT PERMISSION or J. e. DOwNRY
& Co., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO.
CHAPTER lX.-CoNrINuEp.

CHAPTER IX.-CONTINUED.
And so it was settled, '.settled by a
unanimous vote" as his father said,
and he kissed his boy goodnight and
went out and bought the ducks and
chickens, and arranged to have them
put on the steamer in the morning. Ii
the girls had been allowed a voice in
determining the going home of their
parents the vote might not have been
SO unanimous" for they dreaded be-
ing left alone in the great city; but
knowing they could not aetain their
parents many days longer anyhow, and
that their mother, as she said, was tired
and wanted to get home and see to
things, they interposed but few objec-
tons. So the next morning good Dyes
were said, with many injunctions on the
part of the mother, ana with kisses, and
hugs, and tears, and promises to write
often.
The girls did not go down to the
wharf to see them of, for they feared
the getting back to their rooms; aud
besides it was better to say goodbye
where no strangers eye could see the
tears which they knew would come at
the parting; and SO chose to part at
their lodging where they could have a
good cry all to themselves Just rs soon
as their parents and Johnny were out
OF sight.
Mr.. Parsons left them all together at
the last moment and went down to say
goodbye to the professor in whose
lrouse they were, and toward whom he
felt kindly, as he was to be in some de-
gree the protector of his daughters dur.
ing their stay at school. He found him
in the sitting-room and shook his hand
heartily.
Goodbye, professor. goodbye" he
said. Take good care of the girls;
mother and l think heap of 'em.
You'll find 'cm good girls. too. profes.
sor, and smart; take after their mother
the girls do; both of EN-. Well. good
bye; let us know If anything goes
wrong with EN- anyway. and don't be
afraid that their bills won't be paid. In
good for anything l contract for,
reckon.
Come mother. Goodbye girls
Come Johnny, we must hurry or wei
miss the boat" he called from the foo
of the stairs, and moment later they
alone and having their cry out all b.
themselves.
Il don't know how we are TO ge
home from town when we get there, ;
said John Parsons as they nearcd tn
landing that afternoon. ''Erastu
wasn't to come for us until tomorrow
night"
MAY be some of the neighbors vii
be in" returned Mrs. Parsons. MOS
likely they will; if not We will manag,
some way. 1t appears to me as if
had been gone an age and / mus. &c
home tonight If have to walk. How
do you suppose Eras'us is getting alon'
"Oh 'Ras is all right" replied he
husband. Don't you never fear TO
him. II h. amt capable of takin
care of himself tier amt no youns
Teller around these diggins as Is
Likely he's little Lonesome but he'
gettin' on we'll enough, never you fer
aud home'll seem all tie cheerfuiel
for our hayin' been gone. Thct's .
pint kin srcak from cxl erience on
fer kept bacn myself fer better'n 81,
years. while you ami the babies wa;
want to do it asan."
As our friends had hoped, neigh
Dor was in town with his team, AM
gladly offered them ride out. III
could not carry the ducks and chickens
however. and they We're left with othe
purchases for Mr.. Parsons or Erastu
to return for on the morrow.
1t was nearly dark when, comm
over the last rise, they looked dow
upon their own home, with the orchar
and vineyard and the rosebush tina
clambered over the wide porch, fairl
covering it with wreaths of bloom, an
gave sigh of relief at their journe
ended.
Johnny was already asleep in hi
fathers lap when the wagon drew II
at the front gate, and Erastus, SUI
prised at their unexpected return, cam
out to meet them.
Il am awfnlly glad you have &C
back he said, as they entered tn
house; ''but l had rather you had d.
layed another day, or at least unit
morning. l had promised myself I
wash up all the dirty dishes in the hous
tonight if it took all night to do it, an
now you have come and caught m
with it undone and the house in tel
ribe fix"
Mrs. Parsons laughed. Didn't
tell you, John, that l ought to com
home and see to things" she said. -.
man don't know anything about keel
ing house"
''Bat you can't guess what I've got.
broke in Johnny, now fully awakene
and conscious Of where he was. ''Thre
big white ducks and two little bant
chickens, n III bet my banty rooste
can whip your big Shanghai!'
''Oh, ho! SO you are sporting ma