The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-08-21


You and can carry some of the light
ones"
Neither Teddy nor I knew that we
had an audience. Not until long after
ward were we aware of the wicked trick
that was at that instant devised. From
round the corner of the house appeared
two men in flannel shirts, minus COL
lars, neckties or hats; with hair in wild
confusion and extremely dirty hands
ard faces. In the richest of brogues
one of them respectfully addressed
Teddy and requested work.
I really wonder now that we didn't
embrace them. But we engaged their
services at once, and how they worked!
They did considerable amount of
laughing whenever they were alone,
and they required the most minute di-
rections for every thing they under
took, but they put down carpets and put
up pictures and carried in furniture and
unpacked glass and china, in fact,
worked with might and main, leaving
to the driver of the van only the task of
going to and fro with the goods, which
he managed to load with Martha's as
sistance.
At noon we unpacked a substantial
lunch, and as Bill and John, our new
help, showed no signs of going home.
we spread out meal on the kitchen
table and sent them in to it. never
in my life heard men laugh so much
over sandwiches, hard boiled eggs and
coffee
In all this time, you may be sure Ted
dy and l were berating those horrid
Townsends at every turn. We called
them all sorts of names expressive of
meanness and selfishness, hoped their
own house would burn down and let them
know how pleasant it was to be turned
out of home they loved. We were
sure they were sour, grumpy old bach
elors and we hoped they would never
marry unless it was to some old witch
who would worry all the year round.
All this we said in confidence to each
other, never needing those quiet, mod
est young men who were so meekly
obeying all our orders.
The house was really in very nice Or
der, and mothers room as home-like as
we could make it. when at last the car
rage drove up with our dear invalid, Jim
and Martha. Mother was very pale and
propued up by pillows, and was worry
ing over the necessity of her walking
upstairs, when out walked our two
hired men. without any orders what
ever, raised her tenderly and gently,
pillows and all, in their arms, and car
ried her upstairs as carefully as her own
sons had she ever had any, could have
done.
Jim stared, as we'll she might, and
Martha muttered "Holy Moses!" as she
made dive for the kitchen.
Teddy paid the men; Jim and I did
the last few things necessary before
resting; and then we all gathered in
mothers room.
Such chattering as followed, the
dear mother laughing and talking as
merrily as any of u.s.
''But, oh! what guys you two are"
cried Jim. Tom, you've torn yourself,
as usual, wherever there was the small.
est opening for a rent, and your cap is
hanging half way down your back,
while your hair defles description.
Teddy always does keep nice, somehow;
but now-even Teddy will bear an ap-
plication of soap and water" :.
Same to yourself" said Teddy. Il
guess you sent all the mirrors away be-
fore you washed your face. You've got
what Martha calls a 'smooch' right
across your nose"
Don't be personal, young ladies'"
said mother, in tone of extreme gen.
tleness, but perform your additions,
and see If Martha can make out a tea. -
In fortnight we had settled down in
the new house, but we did not occupy
ourselves, as of old, in identifying our
home. We were advertising far and
wide for house such as we wished, and
we hoped to purchase one. The price
of the one we had left was beyond our
reach, but we thought we could hear of
one at more reasonable rate.
During this time of waiting, feeling
as if we really had no home, we had
gone out but little. Mother was not
we'll, and the heat was very oppressive,
while Martha's lame wrist threw con-
siderable of the house-work on OUT
hands.
But one evening there came an ire
sistible invitation from mothers dear,
old friend, Mrs Raymond, of Chester
Grove, to garden party and dance.
You will stay oil night. Of course" she wrote
land will send the crrriage tor you at two
O'Clock. Be sure you al como. can not spare
ono Of your
But we did not all Co. Mother was
not equal to the eight.mile drive, and
Jim stayed with her. We all wanted
to stay, and finally drew lots, and it fell
to Jim.
I'm not really out, anyhow, said that
young person, philosophioally; land, As
you and Teddy seem awfully slow about
leaving the family nest perhaps it is
just as we'll that am not brought for
ward just yet"
1.-The effect will be overwhelming
whsn YOU are," said Teddy. laughing;
but secretly We all thought Jim thu
beauty of the family, for, with the