Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-08-13
A FAMILY FARCE.
Why Farmer Grayson and Uncle
Norman Enjoyed 1t.

NoILudu Enjoyed IL.
The yellow sunshine of a Septem Der
morning shone in at the open windows
of Grayson's commodious farmhouse
The family were at breakfast Mr..
Grayson, a fresh compleXioned, genial
voiced man of forty-five, his we'll
fieshed form encased in Il business suit,
ready for an early start to town, sat at
the head of the table. He wore neatly
brushed side whiskers, carried a dim
pie in his chin and twinkle in his
blue-gray eye.
His wife would have seemed tall
should she have risen from her seat be-
hind the coffee urn. Her dignifie0 pres
ence, together with the height of her
ariStocratic nose and a slight backward
pose of her.head, indicated administra-
tive qualities, while the sOftneSs of her
dark eyes and the sweetness of her
well-modulated voice marked her an
attractive general of the household
forces.
Her mother, a sprightly little old
lady, engaged in supplying the mani
fold wants of two half-grown boys,
was at her left. The oldest son, now
nearing the end of his first college
vacation, completed the group.
Said Mr.. Grayson, drawing an envel-
ope from his pocket: Il will take occa-
sion while in waiting for those muf-
fins to read you the letter which |
received last night from Uncle Nor
man
Yes, by all means let us hear it."
spoke Grandmother Dent; Il am anX-
ious to know how Brother and Sister
Norman receive the news of our pro-
jected visit"
Mr.. Grayson proceeded to read:
DEAR NEPHEW, NIECE, SISTER AND ALL:
We are in a state Of boisterous hilarfty! After
all these years to be assured of harboring the
whole crowd of you and that right early, is not
to be taken calmly.
Our house Is a tumult of preparation from
garnet to cellar and the women of my family
are in n state of excitement bordering on the
extreme. Welcome! Thrice welcome to Sweet
Flag farm
You certainly do yell to try the trip across
the country at this season. 1t will probably
increase your appetites but wife will be ready
for you.
About the business. George, I am glad that
you made me advantageous Il sale. You
speak of bringing the money with you. Now
beg of you do not take the risk -Four thousand
dollars is ,too large an amount to be bothered
with on an excursion. Express 1t from Cambria
Yours in affection, SAMUEL NoRMAN.
Grandmother Dent spoke quickly:
SHE is right He is right. son George.
You should not think OF carrying the
money yourself with your careless
habits. Should you object to express
ing it. give it to me. | often in my
husbands lifetime have carried large
amounts in the pockets of my petticoat.
Money is always safer with a woman
Nonsense. mother. just as though
1 am not capable of carrying a package
of money Il distance like that. No risk
whatever. 1t would be folly to eX-
press it.
ssRemember the affair of the Epworth
notes, George" said his wife, pleasant
lv: s.of course we know that you are
fully capable OF taking care of the
money, if only you We're not so absent
minded | think myself that it might
be wise to let Donald carry it if you
insist upon not expressing it.
MY dear. my dear cried Mr.. Gray
son, in impatience. This is foolish
ness. Relieve your minds of this mat
ter, good people. The money shall
reach Uncle Norman in safety"
Soon Mr.. Grayson set out for town,
while Mrs Grayson and Grandmother
the visit upon which they were to start
three days later. All sorts of cooking
was soon in progress to fill the capa-
cious lunch baskets.
How fortunate it is, Clarinda," said
grandmother, as she deity cut up a
chicken, that you and 1 have just had
those alpaca petticoats made. White
is SO soon soiled on journey. And
haf haH
be so handy. How l wish George
might have been persuaded to let me
carry that money in mine. There is no
place like pocket in a petticoat for
valuableS."
Just then Donald came in. Donald" |
said his mother, could you not man |
age to gain possession of that money |
in some way before we set out2 1t |
will destroy my peace of mind entirely |
If your father carries it. Dear man, he |
is entirely unconscious how careless he |
is
20 don't worry about it, mother, I'll |
look out for father" replied he, with |
that little air of Importance which |
often betrays freshman
When Mr.. Grayson returned he lald
some strong linen envelopes on the |
mantel, saying: ''Clarinda, l bought a !
nackape of these, although of course ,
only needed one for the money. They ,
may be useful sometime.
sI,et me have one" said Grandmother |
Dent, "that is just what need to hold
the mullen for my asthma Will put /
the envelope and the pipe in my pocket
where they will be handy if L should
have an attack by the way"
The Journey to Sweet Flag farm was
an awkward one by rail, but across the
conntrv it was distance of only fifty |
miles of good roads. The Graysons
had resided in this part of the state