The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-02-25

MOUnef, III GlUCie were mere We
would have peach jam on our toast,
wouldn't we?"
mo, George, it shall be peaches and
cream, and Aittie had stopped down
and kissed the boyish face, while the
mother rose hastily to greet her
daughter.
SLOW did you come? How do you
like it? How long can you stay2
con the cars.-Very much.-Back
tomorrow" laughed the happy girl.
"Now you're answered, and while
Dearest cuts up the lovely peaches
that were sent her with the firms
compliments, I'll get the butter and
cream and set the tea a-steeping."
The carnations were put i'll a dainty
vase i'll the center of the table, the
white grapes and purple plulns lay
cool and tempting on q plate of fine
china, the toast was hot and brown in
its rack OF silver wire, and while the
meal was a simple one three happy
faces were bowed q moment in silent
thanksgiving before they began their
repast. What long talk these three
had after the supper dishes were put
away, and Hittic asked questions in
Vulnerable concerning the father she
so indistinctly remembered, and of the
home where they had lived before
coming West! She had heard the
story often, but tonight it seemed
harder to bear than ever before, and
she held her mothers hand tightly as
they wept over the unknown grave of
their soldier dead.
When Hittie had said goodnight
and closed the door OF the room be-
hind her, she went at once to little
trunk that had been put in her clothes
room. Carefully she looked through
package and bundle, and put upon
paper some items that were indis-
putable. Carefully she re read:
George Denham Slocum, born 1927.
Fathers name, Frank Slocum. Moth
er's name, Mary Denham. Bought
and lived on farm nine miles from
Louisville, KY. Both parents buried
on the old farm. George d. Slocum
married Mehitable Blank, of Kentucky,
June4, 1857. Two children were born,
Mehitable and George, Jr. The old
farm should have belonged to George
D., but bis father died without will,
and his mother, old and feeble, let the
farm on shares. She died soon after
George was reported dead, and Mrs.
Slocum, alone and without means,
moved to little Western town, where
she had supported her children by
teaching.
When Miss Slocum reached the office
that September morning, and laid up
on the Seniors desk the little package
containing few photographs, a GER
tefcate of marriage, and the written
items as we havegiven them, the hand
Mr.. Mann took i'll greeting was cold,
and trembled in his fatherly grasp.
Mr.. Boise speedily made his appear
ance, and as he said "good morning"
noticed that one bright carnation was
fastened in the pin at her throat.
Whatever thought of a sentimental
nature may have entered his brain
was speedily dispelled by the long, low
whistle from the Senior as he said
quickly; "Tell us how you came by
this. Do you know who George Slo=
cum was-or is?
"Mr. Mann, George Slocum was my
father, and he sleeps upon an unknown
grave upon some Southern battle
field"
There was O. moments silence, and
the kindly old man held out his hand.
"There is no doubt but this will
change everything-everything foryo
my dear. l think l will run down to
Cooperville and see your mother, and
if she wishesto retain us as her lawyers
Well this is strange-that our stem
ographer should hold the evidence in
this case"
''Could not this business be arranged
without troubling mamma? so wish
it might" Hittie urged, but after the
long talk that followed, it was de-
cided that Mr.. Mann should present
matters to Mrs. Slocum, and secure
any facts or papers she might possess.
Mr.. Boise should go to Louisville,
visit the old farm, look up the titles
and see the persons who so anxiously
were contesting their rights to the SIo-
cum estate.
Hittie had written her mother that
Mr.. Mann was coming to the village
on business and would call upon her,
and she greeted the dignified lawyer in
q manner that charmed him.
After few moments conversation
he asked: "Mellie, after twenty years
have you forgotten Rufus Mann?"
Slowly the coler crept up to the
border of waving hair. II have al
ways remembered you, Rufus"
The business matter received it's
share of attention, and George had O.
long talk with the distinguished law
yer who had played with his mother
when they were both "little fellows"
and who had drawn her to and from
school on his sled when the snow was
deep and days cold.
The claim was not matter of easy
settlement, and the long fall days
grew shorter and the winter SHOWS
were piled high about thelittle cottage
at Cooperville before the Senior made
his second visit. This time Hittie
came with him, and the four ate sup
per in the little dining-room, and the
mother looked as tair as her daughter
Rs she poured the tea and laughed
merrily as the Senior told stories "of
the days when we were young"
There were numberless papers to
sign and questions to answer, and
still the great tangle could not be
Strengthened. Hittie worked faithfully
in the Office The lawful debt" had
been removed and many little COM
forts added to the cottage.
Mr.. Boise had been at times "dis-
tressingiy polite" as Hittie wrote to
her mother, but since his return from
Louisville a very pleasant friendship
had been established, "and matters
are very much nicer" SO the lassie
thought.
just before Thanksgiving the long
disputed title was found, and the little
suburb of Louisville known rs Oaken-
valid, was thrown into o panic over
the announcement that no resident
held q clear title to the property they
called their own. Churches, schools,
stores, factories and residences all
were on land belonging to George d.
Slocum and his heirs.
Careful management was necessary
on the nart of the Northern firm IN