The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-10

Of the stock Of paints in the village store.
There were a few shaTp-b acked cattle nib
Bling at the first spring grass in the back
yard and some pigs sleeping in the sun
Three geraniums in round tin cans made a
splash Of color IN one window. There was
q box of plants in the other window down.
stairs, on that side Of the house.
Crawling across the prairie. headed 10 ward
the farm, came a dusty farm wagon drawn
by two dusty horses and holding two dusty
women. Any observer could have told that
the younger OF these was Il ge0tlew0man, as
plainly she was a New England woman.
She was thin and very straight aud wore
eyeglasses Her gray travelling gown, in
spite Of the dust, gave her the air of a per
son accustomed 10 be both Immediately
and appropriately CARRIED Her gloves were
fresh. One small foot, from which the old
shawl used as a duster had slipped, showed
CATERS exactly matching her gown, and
fat low heel.
There was about her a certain primness
and decision that distracted ones attention
at first from her striking distinction, and a
charm Of looks that was almost beauty. She
sat, Unc0nSciOusly, as far as the seat would
permit her from good Mrs, Armil who
drove.
But, all the same, she had substantial
regard for the cnuntTYwOman, whom
she had for two years supplied with
good moral and entertaining literature as
SECRETARY u bStilllCt GA4SSlUH III 1dtt
she was enduring dust ana hot Kansas sun
IN this particular part OF the State rather
than some other because Of interest in Mrs.
Armil. Having been within an hours ride
by rail Of the little town that was Mrs.
ArmlPs POstOffice she had come the even
ing before to the village inn, and, having
visited Mrs. ATmil for an hour or two dis
covering in that time all that the most curl
Gus POSt0tIice Mission could care to learn Of
her history and condition., she was now con-
scienti0usiy looking up the restitution of
Kansas for the congregations beneYOlence.
Mrs. Armil thought her mighty cuFis'
lady; but Mrs. Armn was from the South
and took things easily without diving I'M
comfortably for the reasons of moral puzzles
As she sat on the seat by the Rev. ElinOr
Barnard she felt peacefully at ease in her
best trOck that the dust wouldn't stick TO,
noway~w Her broad back was inclined at
an Oblique angle from the minister's erect
spine. She rested her elbows on her knees
while tue reins Tapped gently with every
jog Of the horses trOt. She was large
woman, tail as well as stout and with the
fatality Of taste 70 be expected as surely Of
a person Of her built and habits as a fond
ness for cream, she bad decked her massive
cOmelInesS in a Saline gown Of azure blue
besDrinkled With huge white nosegays.
The village st0Te-keeDer had assured her that
this startling fabric was the very latest
thing in Kansas City," She always wore it
with the consciousness that in it. at least,
she could defy the eye OF fashion. To the
store keepers clerk she owed the steeple-
crowned hat trimmed in a DrOfusiOn Of
flowers and green leaves that surmounted
her large, fair face. Emil, her son-she
was 4 widoW-had given her the brooch of
tTiple-plate glitteTing at her white throat,
and in honor Of her guest she carried, be-
sides the useful cotton square with which
she mopped her face or busted off her gown,
fine embroidered handkerchief that came
from EmiPs wife.
Quite satisfied, therefore. she ratified the
reins at the horses, and discoursed on the
misfortunes Of the country.
v ell, yes, ma am. we are pretty bad off, ="
she said, continuing the conversation, land
1 was right glad to be able to give round
that box you all sent, l was so. l gave a
heap Of the tea to the sick ones. Well, I
guess the only well ones got any was old
lady TurnyaTd, who's bedrid so really you
can't jest call her well, and she amt had any
tea since Washngton's birthday, and did
set sech store by il she reglerly cried when
gave it TO her. And Hetty Armil, she was