Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-08-27

the envelope and the pipe in my pocket
where they win be handy If ! should
have an attack By the way"
The journey to Sweet Flag farm was
an awkward one by rail, but across the
| country it was distance of only fifty
/ miles of good roads. The Graysons
/ had resided in this part of the state
] only a comparatively short time and
this was consequently their first visit
to the family of Grandmother Dents
/ sister for many years.
/ They were a hilarious party as they
drove along behind the handsome bays
/ in the three-seated light wagon. The
weather was in one of her most per-
I feet moods of autumn musing. Mother
/ Nature, it would seem, leaned back in
her chair, smoking her pipe Of the ir-
reverence may be pardoned) and
dreamily gazing through the haze at
her peaceful handiwork
Toward night they reached an old
stone inn TO which they had been di-
rected. They were informed that only
two beds were at their disposal, as a
troupe of travelling sisgers had engaged
several and young man, just arrived,
another. Here the young man men
toned, a frank, manly fellow in APP
pearance, came up and offered the half
of his bed to either DoI. I or Mr.. Gray
son.
Il will sleep with the stranger, Dom
add said Mr.. Grayson. Il could never
rest with those two youngsters. You
may take them in change and this viii
leave bed for your mother and grand
mother"
The next morning it was ascertained
that the young stranger james Grant
he introduced himself travelling
in their direction, and since they had
taken great liking to him they Of
fered him seat with them.
Merrily the day passed and as they
drove in at the great gates Of Sweet
Flag farm they saw the whole family
coming out 10 welcome them.
There was Aunt Myra and Uncle
Norman and the daughters Alice and
May and a son John, not TO mention
huge Newfoundland dog that seemed
as glad as anyone else in his bolster
Gus mirth
Turning to introduce the stranger
who had ridden with them into the
yard, what was Mr.. Grayson's surprise
to have instead the young man intro
dueed to him as James Grant Norman,
the youngest son of Uncle Norman.
After they had all returned from their
rooms TO the wide sitting-room and had
been assured by Aunt Clara that sup
per would soon be upon the table, Mr.
Grayson remarked: II think this young
man, James, owes us an explanation.
What was your object, my boy, in thus
woodworking your relatives?"
well, you see, sir, said James,
father was very much worried about
that money and suggested that meet
you at the stone inn, and perhaps if
anything should happen, being well
armed, ] might be of assistance. ] rode
over with a neighbor going in that di-
rection,
cit was a later thought, passing my
self OFF as stranger. When I saw that
you did not reco. ,nize me, l thought it
would be a good joke
''Then / fee as though | owe you an
apology for a further action of mine,
hesitating a little. when we went to
bed last night | noticed that you threw
your coat inside out over chair.
could not help seeing an envelope look
ing as though it might contain money
in one OF the pockets. could not sleep
thinking of tand fnall Y rose and put the
envelope under my pillow. As you did
not mention the matter in the morning
| retained the envelope and now re-
turn it, sir, hoping that no harm is
done
To James surprise, his relative did
not seem in the least concerned at this
exposure of his carelessncss, but with
even more than his usual number OF
dmples and wrinkles handed the pack
age over TO Mr.. Norman. saying: AL
low me to congratulate you, sir, upon
your sons thourhtfulness. Open the
package and see if the money be in
tact.
Mr.. Norl}a too, was smiling and
the rest of the Graysons seemed sud
denly mirthful The old man slowly
opened his iaclknife and rs slowly cut
the envelope and held mp To view-a
stif1ly wrapped package of folded hand
kerchiefs
Mr. Grayson looked COMPOUNDED.
But before anybody could speak Don
aid arose and handed his father another
envelope, saying; Father, You must
forgive me. for / have an explanation
to make. Mother requested me to look
after the money when you FIRST brought
it home. At first it did not seem neces-
sary to me, but noticing the careless
way, pardon me, 10 which You were
leaving your coat about | was finally
prevailed upon by her to prepare an
other package. filed as you have seen.
with handl<erchiefs which | substituted
for the real package. There YOU have
the money, SIR safe and sound
Open it Uncle Norman, cried Mr.
Grayson, tossing it over. Count your
money
Both men were laughing loudly,
/ Uncle Norman leaning back in a shout