Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-11-29

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"THAT's JUST LIKE ONE OF HIS CAPERs."
pound is quite different from going to ones
| own smoke house for one 1 declare got
so hungry last night that dreamed about
it."
rDon't, Serena" said Miss Mandy, with
queer little tremble IN her voice. ut has
| been a bearing down on me all the morn
| ing, what is a going to become of US in cur
old age. You and me can't work always,
| and the thought of a Buell. being dependent
| on charity is" and here Miss Mandy's
voice became lost behind the pantry door
| where she had gone ostensibly to set up
couple of teacups and a pitcher
She was still there feebly rafting the
crockery when a shock headed boy stuck
his head into the door
"Say, hee'rd the news, Miss Buell!" he
bawled out. MAN told me to come
overn 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 game of marbles
to deliver the message, and he was half
way back to his play.
did euer,' and Miss Mandy sank into
chair with the traces of tears still be-
dewing her spectaclcs. I'm the midst OF
life we are in death. 1t amt much use
to worry, Serena. about what'll happen tC
US tomorrow if we can only scratch ur
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 a late
breakfast on Thanksgiving morning, which
was clear and frosty, when the morning
train from the West rolled into the sta
ton.
''Well," remarked Miss Mandy, discon
soiately. as she poured the tea-they al
ways drank tea in the morning, saying
that it woke them up for the day better
than coffee-"pigeon pie isn't the ten
derest eating that ever was, but it's better
than bread and milk for holiday dinner.
That was a bright idea Of yours Serena.
to catch those pigeons, though did ex-
pect to see you break your neck 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 little of frisky per-
Torrance for a woman of her age, climbing
ladders in search of wild birds. ''Mebb
the exercise III do 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
81 declare if don'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, co 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
while Mrs. Buell.. Kitty and Rollo were
getting out with their heavy baskets of
good things.
IF this don't beat all the surprise par
ties 1 ever heard off, said Miss Mandy,
while happy tear stole down her cheek.
The table 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 as far too good for use.
The pigeon pie had been sent to poorer
neighbor, and the turkey amply filled its
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 US, and we can
be so happy together"
LA, cui1d,'' replied Miss Mandy, feebly
protesting; it looked very inviting to her to
have home of plenty and some enc to love
and take care Of her. "What would you
do with pair of old women like US in your
grand home.''
''Do with you, why, set you up with 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 gigantic undertaking at
first to the sisters, who had never been out
of their native State, to GO &c Out West"
and the Buell. pride rebelled somewhat at
the idea OF being dependent upon even
'''Gustus,'' but all their objections were
ovcrruled, 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 tstonement for the wrongs of the past.
We'll Mandy, you can have your lace
curtains at last" said Miss Serena, with q
hysterical laugh, as the letter, which ac-
companied the papers, was folded away,
'sbnt Pm afraid my bones are too rheu-
maticy to ventur on the ocean v.ge.n
MRA y. n. HowARn