Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-08-13

drove along behind the handsome bavs
in the three-seated light wagon. The
weather was in one of her most per-
feet moods of autumn musing. Mother
Nature, it would seem, leaned back in
her chair, smoking her pipe (if 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 We're informed that only
two beds We're at their disposal, as a
troupe of travelling singers had engaged
several and a young man, just arrived,
another. Here the young man men
toned, frank, manly fellow in APP
pearance. came up and offered the half
of his bed to either Donald or Mr.. Gray
son.
Il will sleep with the stranger, Don
aid" said Mr.. Grayson. 81 could never
rest with those two youngsters. You
may take them in change and this will
leave a bed for your mother and grand
mother"
The next morning it was ascertained
that the young stranger-James Grant
he introduced himself-was travelling
III IhSlI IICCIIOll. anu SlIlCc lucN UIibl
taken a 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 to welcome them.
There was Aunt Myra and Uncle
Norman and the daughters Alice and
May and son John, not to mention a
huge Newfoundland dog that seemed
as glad as anyone else in his bolster
Gus 1nirth.
Turning to introduce the stranger
who had ridden with them into the
yard, what was Mr. Graysons surprise
to have instead the young man intro
duced 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: Il think this young
man, James, owes us an explanation.
What was your object, my boy, in thus
hoodwinking your relativcS?'
''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 we'll
armed, l might be of assistance. l rode
over with Il neigh Dor going in that di-
rectiOn.
1T was a later thought passing my
self off as stranger. When l saw that
you did not recognize me, | thought it
would be good joke.
Then | feel as though owe you an
apology for further action of mine"
hesitating a little. when we went to
bed last night | noticed that you threw
your coat inside out over a chair. /
could not help seeing an envelope look
ing as though it might contain money
in one of the pockets. l could not sleep
thinking of it and finally 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 careleSsneSs, but with
even more than his usual number of
dlmples and wrinkles handed the pack
age over to Mr.. Norman, saying: AL
low me to congratulate you, sir, upon
your sons thoughtfulness. Open the
package and see if the money be in
tact"
Mr.. Norman, too, was smiling and
the rest of the GraySons seemed sud
denly mirthful. The old man slowly
opened his jacllknife and as slowly cut
the envelope and held up to view-a
stiffiy wrapped package of folded hand
kerchiefs!
Mr.. Grayson looked COMPOUNDED.
But before any body 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, in which you were
leaving your coat about, | was finally
prevailed upon by her to prepare an
other package, filed as you have seen,
with handllerchiefs which su bstituted
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
which threatened the ceiling. He man
aged at last to- open the envelope and
in the midst of the expectancy held up
more handllcrchiefs Wrapped in the
same way. Again tire laugh arose.
while Mr.. t&G.iyson looked puzzled and
his wife and mother little embar-
raised.
Everyone listened intently as finally
Mrs. Grayson said she thought she
could explain the whole thing.
Il did urge Donald to take possession
of the money" said she, but after
found he had done SO | was not re-
lieved. | thought l should feel much
safer to have it in my own care. Still
not wishing to hurt his feelings by sug-
costing that he let me carry it pre-
pared another package of handller-
chiefs which you have just opened and
carried the real package the whole way
concealed in the pocket of my petit |
coat
Amid the shouts of the listeners |
another envelope was slowly opened |
by Mr.. Norman. To the Consideration
of all but one out came bundle of !
closely wrapped MULLEN leaves!
In the midst of the excitement |
Dent arose and began |
diving into the inner pocket of her |
black petticoat, soon producing a |
\, oil