Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-05

through the day. Hetty did not join
them at dinner. and after Merritt had
smoked his pipe for half hour or SO
over the nuts and wine, the Captain
arose and proposed that they should
step over to his mothers quarters and
pay their respects.
AS Merritt followed his young friend
into the house, which. though Of rude
exterior, was neatly papered and car
peted, the two men halted in the hall
way to hang their hats on the rack As
they did SO Waldron heard the English
man suddenly catch his breath and
then saw him stagger back against the
wall. The Napoleon hat was hanging
on the rack! Making a great effort.
Joshua Merritt steadied his body and
his nerves, then cried out gayly, and in
tone OF voice that Capt. Harry had
never heard issue from that capacious
mouth before:
"One moment. Captain; 1 wasn't ex-
pecting to meet any ladies this even
ing. l fear I'm not in very present.
able rig. Yes, that's SO; but then your
mother is wonderful woman-yes,
that's SO, wonderful. I'm more than
delighted to meet her again"
Hetty received her distinguished WIS.,
itor with most charming grace and
ease, questioned him about the treas
ures OF his museum, described the fas-
cinations OF life upon the plains, dilated
upon the anticipated pleasure of a
sojourn in New York, as her son had
been ordered to the East; in a word, ex-
hibited such a delightful flow of spirits
and proved herself to be such an alto
gether charming talker. trimming over
with wit and wisdom, that ten times in
one hour Joshua Merritt felt himself
called upon to whisper the words won
derful woman" in the Captains ear.
The bugle-call sounded at ., and the
Captain rose and begged to be excused
for half an hour. No sooner had the
door closed behind him then Joshua
Merritt laid hold of Mrs. Waldron 8
hands with a clamp-like grasp and
whispered: The Napoleon haiti"
is hanging on my rack, Mr.. Merritt.
Your price, your price, madam"
came with almost rattle from Joshua 8
throat.
"Oh, don't feel that would be justi-
fed in selling a relic OF such historical
Importance" said Hetty, solemnly, "a
hat worn by two worlds, SO to speak!
shall send it to the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition"
Joshua Merritt gave start as If q
viper had stuck its fanRs into his hands.
Smithsonian Institution" he gasped.
And then there came a sudden change
in his manner, and stepping to the win
| dow he cried out in tone of voice SO
nearly cheerful as to fairly startle
Hetty:
My dear Mrs Waldron, what beauti-
| full moonlight nights you have in Amer.
lea; shall we 90 out for short walk?
It's rather oppressive indoors"
But, my dear Mr.. Merritt" ex-
claimed Hetty, Il haven't the counter
sign; we run risk Of being shot.
"I'lltake that risk, gladly, Mrs. Wal
dron, replied the great collector, with
low bow.
DO you know, my dear Mrs. Wal
dron." said Joshua, as they re-entered
the house half an hour later, 1T looks
to me as il the man in the moon had q
hat on his head tonight.
Three weeks later, when Mr.. and Mrs
Joshua Merritt were we'll on their way
to New York, the great collector whis-
| pered to her: But tell me- my dear
| Hetty. IN heavens name, how did you
persuade Peeconowah to give up the
Napoleon hat2'
TWAS simple enough" laughed
Hetty; 1.-The Kickapoos had lately MUIR
| dered an Indian agent. and my son had
| quite made up his mind TO recommend
the War Department to send Peecono-
wah to the Dry 1ortugas. Is it plain
! enough now"
Wonderful woman" calculated
Joshua Merritt.
THE end
| Copyright. by the Authors Alliance. All
| rights reserved.