Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-08-24
MY INTIMATE FRIEND.

The early days of the use of coal oil, and
~ Indications of its presence were not so
III understood as they are now, so It was
n thought probable that any one in our
V,hborhood would be warranted in I'M
.saking expense in an attempt to bore
a,dl Spectators were not ready then
AXE upon themselves the expense Of
,rina. and my father did not feel able to
Undertake it. So he had toiled on, trying
~ content with making both ends meet
nm what he could wrest from the soil
boye
Nv grandfather owned quite tract of
nj on one side of the highway running
brough the little country village of P,
nj the father of my most intimate friend
|Tned an equally large tract adjoining us.
We had formerly lived just over the line
New York, and my principal objection
rben father decided to remove to grand
,tber's was that | should have TO leave
NJ most intimate friend behind me: but
bere was no help for it, and had man
ged not only TO survive it, but to lind an
Iiber friend whom l thought more nearly
|erfect than any one who had gone before,
n had had several intimates in the
(Ourse Of my fifteen years.
BETTY, poor girl, is addicted to intimate
|uend,, was frequent saying Of my old
& brother, Albert, as if they were a kind
&finioxicant / was unable to resist.
Such remarks never failed to send me to
Ebigail Potter for sympathy, which l al
pays received. We were inseparable, and
rhen father once spoke of returning to our
Ia home was the most violent opponent
1.-THE plan. | could not leave Abigail!
"You1l get enough of Abigail some day."
hi Aunt Kate.
"Yes,n said grandmother. Her tongue
hung in the middle, an ways both
kays"
"You should not be so intimate with
ny GIRL" mother added. you ought to
barn that if eou can't keep your own Sc
rsts no one will keep them for you"
Now really did not tell Abigail every
hing | knew, though must confess
lsme very near il; but l reasoned that 1t
kas natural to like to talk, and to have
|ume sympathetic person to talk to. OF
ourse we must have something to talk
bout, 80 where was the harm when she
ks my most intimate friendi
Betty, | want you this minutep' heard
Mother call one morning from the back
Door
she's hangin' over the front gate with
abigail" Aunt Kate replied.
So was, but | hastened to the backyard,
Fhere mother was anxiously dipping her
keins of rags up and down in the big dye
kettle
aust keep stirring them so the dye won't
|ettle, while l get out your fathers seed
|orn,n she said.
was absently poking the rags when
nothers voice floated down to me from the
kttic window she had Just raised
80 the prospector has decided to do it,
as hep
"Yes,n father replied. Hell begin by
el4th. He's coming the Thursday afore
bind the bargain and make a payment. F"
Then we get it here by Tuesday,
bother asked eagerly.
No reason why not, " said father.
Il hope so. should be disappointed if
couldn't be done by the 18th; but the
oads are bad"
Well it can be hauled six miles, good
2 bad less the bottom Of 'em falls clean
ut, father ended, with a chuckle
! had not been especially interested in
be conversation until mother referred to
be 18th Tuesday, the l2th, was my birth
ay and it flashed upon me that sit" must
b something for me- ! followed up my
discovery with such conclusive argument
b my mind that in minute | was fully
Onyinced that sit" certainly must be a
iano-something | had long wished for
md xVh In l,a farl. Ar hf,s,
possessed. ! became all ears at once as
hther went on: Don't let Betty get an
hiking Of it."
"She hasn't the first suspicion of it, II
will be complete surprise"
you know she couldn't keep it to her
slf two minutes" he continued. 18th,
Potters would hear Of it in less n no time.
We'll, they WON'T" mother asserted
shutting down the window, and in a few
Moments she was back by my side.
Dear me, Betty! where are your witsi'
Ne exclaimed. In my excitement owe
What had heard just then gave the rag
nch vigorous poke that the dyesover
ibved and a cloud of ashes rose above thu
Kettle. Here, Betty, give me that poker
nd you 20 take those five dozen eggs NJ
e"N oNvits HSBS dit a. Sulliiuk hoN
mat II come to sixty-two cents an a half
tst-a paper OF needles - betweens-tw'
pools Of thread, a quarter of tea, a poun,
o. raisins and the rest in drilling"
His shillin' drillin', too, Betty, yo1
hsar'' grandmother called after ms
that'll get yard, and wen get the hal
ont this time. Ar, Betty, you. watch an
= Seth Merrill don't measure in hi
humh"
scarcely heard grandmother then
l'ugh 1t all came back to me 50 clearl
4lerward; but IaRurried away with tn
esgs glafsto escape the smoke and ashe
qua aye stuff, and glad, too, Of a chance t
Pader over my coming surprise"
ihe eggs were being counted out at tn
a4le country store when Abigail ran u
Tie steps.
i thought you were herer' she cried. /"
. aSht half finish telling you what u wa
4Nhg about this morning"
AND Ivesgot something to tell YOU"
sah lmpetuously, when remembrance
,ia'hers last words checked me. Blu
A%sall wasn't ',the PotteFs," | though
~ went on, only STIMULATING, 'But 20
-ss'h breathe word of it,"
~ b.