Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-07-24
Il respects. Takes after his mother,

in all respects. Takes after his mother,
though"
why, this does put serious face
on the whole business" said I.
"Of course it does," said my old
friend. "lm troubled about it, and
what's worse, my wife's troubled, too.
She sets great store by Mrs. Mac, who
is a weakly, discouraged sort of wom-
an. Mac doesn't mean to be unlzind,
but he is rather coarse in fiber, and his
circumstances not being worry good. he
hasn't supplied his wife with much
that q delicate, refined woman covets.
Mrs. Mac is fond Of books and litera-
ture, which he affects to despise, and
he never supplies the means for little
nlceties in dress that women prize, and
my wife and girls, in their friendship
III the family, have met this want in a
measure. They take as much pleasure
in little Maggie's tineries as they do in
their own"
''Dear me-" said |, lit is q pity you
should quarrel.
II say so, too," replied Mr.. Ordway,
''but, Of course, when auld Sandie Nc
Donald makes up his mind to be at
cots with me. that's all ended. can't
let him pick my pocket, even to crafty
his spite. If he must needs crafty
his ill-temper. We'll have hustle, and
l had better go and see Jones'"
l had been formulating plan of
which l had thought when Mcdonald
was leaving, so l said: ''Mr. Ordway,
let me tell you what we'll do. I'm
coming down to your house early
Wednesday morning. Do you and
Aunt Ruth be ready, and go with me
over to Macs. Wen go to dinner.
You can put up with his GOODNESS for
one day, at least. Bring your accounts
along, and your own and your wife's
memories, and we shall see how we
shall prosper in the character of peace
Makers"
"rll do it," said he, Shaping his
knee ''He can't prosecute till you
get ready, and may be so,'' and his
eyes twinkled. "may be so we can
arbitrator"
It was growing late, and he took his
leave without coming down to the
house, much to Ncllie's regret, when !
told her of his visit. On Monday !
sent q note to Mcdonald. telling him
to ask Ordway to come over on
Wednesday, and between US I fancied
we could bring him to terms; at any
rate, that would give us good hold on
him, whether he came or not.
On Wednesday morning I went down
on the early train, and walked on tc
the home of the McDonalds. l had
never met any of the family but the
father, and was not surprised to find
the mother fully up to the desert tion
given me by Ordway, refined, hand.
some, though faded woman. I couldn't
but think as l contrasted the couple,
as they were making me welcome in
their old-country fashion, that she ha6
carried the heaviest part of thei,
mutual life burdens, and was faintine
by the way, while he way yet fresh anC
vigorous.
He informed me that he had SEN
Ned over to the Ordways, requesting
his presence, and then introduced Ned
a fine, scholarly-looking fellow o
twenty or Whereabouts, with father!
physique and mothers features, anl
our acquaintance was scarcely formed
before he excused himself courteously
and went out to welcome the neigh
bors; welcome indeed from himself
and mother; but there was not much
welcome in Aud Sandie's curt saluta
ton, though the old fellow did I'm
bend a little when he greeted "Mis
tress Ordway."
! With no pretense of sociability,
proceeded to business in a very law
yer-like manner. I displayed n,
friendship to the Ordways, but playet
the disinterested legal adviser to tn,
best Of my ability.
Mcdonald suggested that we men g,
to the front room; but as a part of m,
plan depended on the women, I pro
tested against leaving them, and hat
my way.
Mr.. Mcdonald placed his chair at
one end of the table, and drew out {
drawer, from which he took big &C
count book. l seated myself abou
midway of the side of the table, ant
Mr. Ordway brought his account bool
to the lower end.
Ordway began by saying: "By
your request, neighbor, I've brough
my book, though l can't say it ha.
been very correctly kept If Mr.
Bailey says how much l owe you III
pay it. but no more"
! I wished he had said nothing. 70,
Auld Sandy put on his most beligeren
air. and said, dogmatically: II shall
trust friend Bailey to determine how
much you owe."
set about with a pretence of sys
tenn, but in reality very informally, tt
get to the bottom of their differences
| took paper and patiently set dowr
debit and credit, as they each came
to it.