Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-04-12

1--WE are going to have Orphies
French for step-mother. said the
Hunter children, pressing, up to the
window which commanded view of
| Hillswood common and church. ''She's
awful pretty, but it's mystery how
she came to marry father"
"You know the young folks so we'll.
| Orphies, that there is no need of an in
| PRODUCTION" said Mr.. Hunter, as his
young bride kissed one rosy face after
another, and sat down in his dead
wife's rocking chair with the youngest
| on her knee.
"When we are rested we will go over
| the house and take look ut things,
then we will have some dinner. dis
missed the housekeeper to-day. as l
| knew we would not need her after you
came. Her month was up, and as PEN
NY saved is a penny earned, let her
go. Rosa Bell is large enough to help
you about the house. She is sixteen.
and as tall as you are. I guess you will
pull together first rate"
Pretty Orphies looked at her step
daughter questioningly.
81 hope So" she said, quickly.
Yes" kissing her. 81 am quite sure
that we SHALL"
That kiss won Rosa Bell.
arthur" she said to her twelve
year-old brother, the moment the door
closed behind her new mother. ''take
| heart do believe there is change
coming. The second Mrs. Hunter is
very sweet and smiling, but I should
not be surprised if father had found
his match. She doesn't say great
| deal. but there is look in her eye
which makes me feel funny"
Hell tame her before long"
answered Arthur. with knowing
shake of his head. ''She'll have to
knock under the same as the rest of us.
l wonder if he'll let me 60 out on the
common tonight? The boys are get
ting up base ball match. Tom Jones
promise I'd come. The Skinfints are
going to play against the Ironsides, but
| FL bet on the"
"You mustn't bet at all, interrupted
Rosa Bell, tying on her apron and
bustling about the poorly spread table
in the room adjoining.
This is fathers wedding day, and
it isn't mt all likely he'll let you go off
Come, Kathie, peel those potatoes for
me. Then set the chairs up, and tell
the folks dinner is ready. / wish 1 had
something better to offer her." she
added. looking ruefully at the platter
of fried pork in the center of the table.
flanked on either side with dish of
apple. sauce and huge loaf of wheat
| bread.
al wish we had silver forks and glass
goblets, like Hattie Andrews folks"
said Kathie, hurriedly removing their
brown jackets. and tumbling them into
the blue earthen dish which Lettie
brought from the closet.
"Well, if Mrs. Hunter is as hungry
as am, she won't think of any thing
but her dinner" exclaimed Arthur,
bringing up the chairs with good
deal of noise. THAT apple-sauce is
scorched, Rosa Bell; smell it. Father
won t relish that
"Well, 1 can't help it, answered the
girl, in a discouraged tone. "He
needn't have sent Martha off just at
this time"
"It's all right, DEAR said pleas
ant voice behind her, and Orphies
stepped into her seat at the head of the
| table.
She had changed her wedding dress
for simple calico, and Il white apron
was tied about her trim waist. MAR
tina was getting old, Rosa Bell. We
| want younger maid of-all-work.
Never mind the forks, Kathie, l have
some better ones in my trunk. Hector,
it strikes me this dining-room is rather
small, - looking about the dingy, poor
| ly-furnished apartment ''It must be
enlarged in some way. You must see
attended to before warm weather sets
in. Dog days are so trying in Hills
wood"
my dear Orphies"-Mr. Hunter
turned his severe eye on the dimpled
face opposite-''it would cost a mint of
money to enlarge this room"
Not so very much" said Mrs
Hunter, composedly 1--WE had ours
done at home. 1 think papa said the
cost was one hundred and fifty dol
lars"
lone hundred and fifty dollarsr'
cried Mr.. Hunter, staring at his young
wife rs if he thought her crazy. why,
my dear Orphies, you speak as if money
grew on bushes, and could be picked
as easily as berries. Besides, l never
heard the first Mrs. Hunter complain
that this room was close"
Poor thingr' said Orphies. plying
ly, ''perhaps she didn't dare to. What
were you saying, Arthur? A base ball
match on the common? Why. that's
delightful. Don't stay at home on my
account, 1 beg of you. Go and enjoy
yourself while you can? Were 1
boy I'd go with you. AS it is l will sit