Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-07-28

~ dismiss dismissed sTthS th {
%sI< ZlE driver when he
~ y ESs reac ch e d the
tt#r ~ wharf after
k[cz-@@ crossing the OF
Es1F tawa at tho
Four Corners
and looked round for Daoust to carry
his baggage up to Labelle's IS in days
of yore But old Daoust was dead, ano
therefore could not come. In the Ian
guage Of the ancient Millette, former
crony Of Daoust, who was waiting on
the wharf: II say to heem, Monsieur
Green, after &c dance: Come home
chez moi-you have mooch viskee on
board. Eef you max to cross re riv'
aire you will meek drinks And he
toomble overheard and meek for ze last
time Ah-h, mon Dieu-for re last
time"
''Sure this isn't an invention of yours
to do Daoust out of a quarter for car
rying my trunk up?" asked Green.
Millette held up his hands in holy
horror at such u wicked suggestion
'Ah-h, &c drole monsieur"
Jasper Green looked around. 81
suppose it's true he said, reluctantly
''as don't see him anywhere about. II
he had been alive he'd have come, foI
sure. Here's your quarter"
Millette put the heavy trunk on q
truck sleigh and began to trot alon
the wooden wharf, every now and then
slipping one foot through hole in the
.otten planking and recovering him
self dexterously. Green watched him
with an amused smile Then, when
Millette paused for breath, he pushed
the old man aside and took hold of the
truck Say, Millette, I'll wheel this
up for fifty cents for you," he said.
Millette ran painting alongside.
Heading the procession, Green grave
ly marched past the schoolhouse just as
morning school was over. When Lily
Labelle saw him she came out, and
promptly gave the children a holiday
for the rest of the day. Then she Joined
him at the head Of the procession, JAS
per bowling with dignifed politeness
over the top of the truck to her, as the
children fell in behind When they
reached the veranda. the children gave
three cheers for Jasper, and called for a
speech.
"Fellow-citizens," he said, gravely,
81 am rejoiced to be once more in my
native township, and thank you heart
ily for this magnificent demonstration
in my honor, although / must confess
| expected brass band and a banner or
two. Believe me, although have been
far away from you for the last SIX;
months have not been unmindful OF
your doings. 1t is with feelings Of pride
that have noticed your achievements.
Three old friends had the pleasure OF
meeting in Kingston penitentiary
whilst was making brief tour of in
spection over that noble edifice. ] see
they nave not yet returned to gladden.
your hearts. Several other friends i
also miss, and can only attribute their
absence to force majeura Gentlemen,
trust that next year I may again have
the pleasure of meeting you. I've no
doubt Mrs. Labelle will give us a
dance tonight Sans adieu."
He waited for the crowd to disperse
and the shrill piping of the children to
die away before he approached Lily,
who stood leaning against the veran-
da, an amused look in her dark eyes.
"Arc you glad to see me?" he asked.
"Come in to dinner" she said. "Ill
answer your questions-some of them
afterwards"
Jasper opened the door and allowed
her to go in, just as the dinner bell
rang. Mrs. Labelle greeted him with a
kiss on both cheeks, whilst her husband
bowed with grave politeness.
He believed in the power of the press,
but preferred that It's representatives
should stay in Montreal and exercise it
there.
Lily, after removing her sealslsin
Jacket, seated herself at the upper ta-
BILE; Jasper Immediately sat beside her,
carefully moving the chair of n fat hab-
liant lower down. whereupon the fat
habitant, who had been looking for
ward to the enjoyment Of Lily's society,
scowled and commenced TO consume
vast quantities of pickles.
Green at once took possession OF
Lily, and held his prize against all
comers, especially the cashier Of the
Four Corners bank. The latter was not
easily disconnected, but, having pol
ished off his portion Of turkey and cram
berry sauce, prepared TO demolish JAS
per, whose keen gray eyes seldom wan
dered from Lily's face.
Lily was evidently accustomed u
scenes Of this nature. She scarcely
lifted her eyes, even when Miller, the
cashier, asked her TO go for sleigh
ride that afternoon.
$50 sorry" drawled Jasper. miss
Labelle has been engaged 10 me for q
year. Isn't that SOP" turning TO Lily.
For the ride? Yes" said Lily, de-
murely. IL believe so"
"Surely you'll give me the benefit oi
the doubt?" the cashier appealed to
Lily.
"oh, there's no doubt about it," re
piled Jasper, with airy confidence. 'TD
| trouble you for another mince pie, Mrs
| Labclle. I've never met any mince
| pies like yours anywhere. Those you
sent me made me quite homesick."
"Miss Labelle can surely answer
for herself" said the cashier, angrily.
"Well, ye-cs," answered Jasper, pre-
| pairing to demolish the mince pie. "ShC
| could, no doubt, only you see it's mucl
| easier for me to settle it all"
The cashier rose In wrath. II shall
be at the schoolhousc at two" he said
majestically. "and shall hope to have
the pleasure Of your company this af
| ternoon, Miss Labcllc."
1.-TWO win do just as well as any 9th
er time" said Jasper, preparing to i'm
pale his mince pie. "If you want to &c
| 10 the schoolhouse at two, there's moth
Ing TO prevent you"
The cashier, without waiting for 8
reply, went anRrily out.
| That's n mistake" said the imper
turbable jasper 'Tf he'd waited {
minute, you'd have told him there'll b.
no school this afternoon"
Lily raised her eyes from her plate
"Why are you a week before your time
Jasper" she asked.
That's the reason" said Jasper, in
dicating with fragment Of mincc pi'
on his fork the retrcating form Of the
cashier. ''If I'm only allowed one
sleigh ride "a year, / don't see why that
fellow should get ahead Of Inc and have
three a week"
But your work, Jasper"
"Oh, McQuire's looking after that fol