The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-07-19


cnsiomed place on the porch with his
head between his paws, from which he
did not raise it, although he thaImpcd
on the flo3r Of the porch with his tail as
an intimation that he was resting well,
but was ready for breakfast whenever
it was convenient to his master.
On entering the kitchen. Erastus
found the fire burned out; but he re-
built it and cooked and ate breakfast,
after which he washed the dirty dishes,
and got out to work about the middle
of the forenoon. He ate cold lunch
for dinner to save time, and for supper,
a friend, the son of neighbor. was
present, and they piled the dirty dishes
in a sink, where Mrs. Parsons found
them, with others. on her return from
the trip to San Francisco.
CHAPTER TX.
TRIP TO THE CITY.
Some difficulty was experienced by
Mr.. and Mrs. Parsons in finding de-
sirablc place for their daughters in San
Francisco. 1t had been determined
that the girls should do their cooking
and care for their rooms themselves,
both because it was cheaper and be
cause their parents thought it wiser
that they should not forget. but learn
still better how to do that which in all
probability they would be required to
do all their lives.
Besides this. their health would be
less likely to suffer if they took one
study less and devoted little of their
time TO household duties, such as they
were accustomed to at home.
After day spent in looking, suite
of two very nice rooms was found, at
reasonable rent, in \ house occupied by
one of the tutors of the school which
they were to attend; and as the family
appeared to be a pleasant one. the
rooms were engaged, and arrangements
having been made for the girls to take
possession, the whole party proceeded
to see the city and the displays of agri-
cultural products and mechanical skill
at the Exposition.
The first day was largely spent in
wandering through the department Of
fruits and vegetables. 1t was here that
their own products were on exhibition,
and they naturally felt more interest in
this than in any other. They took no
hltiS PAIuS III oosSlNlHp that AS"s IL
any, excelled them in the quality Of the
fruit and vegetables exhibited, although
many had displays which embraced a
large variety of products. Next they
looked at the poultry, and here Johnny
discovered some bantam chickens and
then some large white ducks, over
which he went into ecstacies, and could
with difficulty be induced to leave for
the purpose Of looking at anything else.
When they had succeeded in getting
him away and the rest of the family
were engaged in examining other
things, he slipped his hand out Of that
/ of his father and started back to have
another look.
He was missed almost directly. Of
course; in fact before he had got out of
sight in the crowd: but so eager was he
to get another look at the ducks and
chickens. and SO fast did his short legs
stir themselves, that his father was un-
able to overtake him, and only caught
him when he paused before the coOps
which contained what, 10 him. were the
principal things OF value in the EXPOSE
ton.
Having recovered Johnny and i'm
pressed upon his mind the danger which
he ran of getting lost or being carried
off if he did not keep close TO the rest
of the family. they spent some further
time in looking at the collection oil
needle-work and flowers. and then re.
turned to their boarding place.
The next day, after glance through
the agricultural department to ascer-
tain ii their own articles We're undis-
turbed. they went to another part Of
the building to see the machinery. John
Parsons wars not machinist by trade,
nor had he any special love for mechan-
ism; and yet he fingered long and with
a kind of fascination over the machin-
cry for mining purposes, and especially
over the specimens of hydraulic mining
pipe, which were on exhibition.
| Il declare, Marty" he said to his
(, wife. Il believe they could wash down
1 Mount shasta with that thing; aud il
they thought there was gold enough
there TO pay 'em for dom it they
wouldn't be long in tryin', Ill be
bound. heard yesterday that COM
pany of Englishmen are at work now
up in the hills above us some ers. ar
ranging for hydraulic works. :"
Well" returned Mrs. Parsons,
there isn't any gold in our hills. Sc
they won't be wanting TO wash them
down. anyway"
mo. replied her husband, thought
fully, there amt any gold in the hills
close about us. as anybody knows on. -
The following day they went again
through the fruit and vegetable exhibit
took another look at the fowls. and
then MIR. Parsons left them to 90 alone
through the domestic department.
while he went again to examine the i'm.
plements for hydraulic mining.
wonder if they will tear down oil
Shasta he mnttcred to himself. ..Won
der If they won't wash down all the
mountains and fill up all the valleys?
Returning to his family. they took
another short turn about the building
and then returned to their lodgings
Laying off her things, Mrs. Parsons
turned to her husband and said, little
the first to wea.y of sightseeing:
John, if you have seen enough Of
the exposition, let us 60 home. If not
I'll stop with the girls in their room:
until you are ready to CO."
~ Oh are not SICK, are you, mother!
asked John, anN;ously.
NO; but am tired, and ] want to
get back home and rest and see te
things. Home is the best place for old
folks. after all"
why, mother, we are not old folk.
yet, by good deal. feel bout Il.
young and spry rs | did fore came to
the coast; but if YOU are tired and want
to go home in the morning, reckon
this here youngstcr'll be ready to 60;
ell, johnny seen enough OF the city
and want to get hack to the ranch?"
inquired the lad father, drawing him
between his knees.
I'm GO if you'll buy me the big white
ducks, and the little banta chickens an
jack-knife with four blades in it, +"
piped the youngStcr, who thought he
saw chance to make point in his
mothers evident eagerness TO 60
home.
Tell you what I'll do, Johnny" re,
piled his father. gravcly. though with a
twinkle in his eye, for he enjoyed the
| IL III