The National tribune., 1894-07-12

to the reader, it was the very first time she
had ever taken a journey further from her old
home in Yanktown than to Aunt Polly
jenkins. who lived 10 miles away, and who
usually drove over for Miss Tilly-staying all
night-to return in the cool of the next after
noon with the old lady beside her.
| have called Miss Tilly "old, but, as a
matter of fact, she was a little over 80, and
exceeding spry and lively.
When Miss lilly had put on her spectacles
she lesurely surveyed her ow-passengers,
most of whom she set down as uninteresting;
but her inquiring eyes finally rested on an old
man, who was the sole occupant of the seat
directly in front of her.
'Seedy'' is the adjective that would best
have fitted the old gentleman. His hair
unkempt and thin-might have been combed
with rake His clothes had that woe -begone
untidiness which comes to men who grow
old without ''wimmen folks :" to look after
them. Miss lilly took in the whole thing IN
glance.
''Poor old fellow!r she unused, taking of
her mittens and putting them i'll sachel she
carried ON her arm. at does make me sick
at my stommiek to see man run to seed like
thatl MyI-ny! Look at his cloes Why,
there's big hole in his overcoat at the
elbow."
She half leaned forward; then, remember
ing that she must be particular as TO her ac-
quaintances, restrained the impulse to offer
some sympathetic eiyility.
The old man, unaware of the interest he
had awakened. continued to stare out of the
car window, offering ample opportunity to the
public to see and criticise the hole in the
sleeve of his oyercoat. "a at"'
T. ~rIn lnft ta md
leaned against the back of the seat. She
could see how thin his face was, and the hard
lines about his mouth sb
I'm bet he's as cranky as a mule" she
muttered; then pulling out shawl from its
neat leather strap, she deftly pushed it behind
him, making comfortable prop for the back
of his head.
He turned partly round and saw her. She
WINGED little as She perceived the quizzical
expression of his eye. Then leaning forward
with her month drawn down into lines of
strict propriety, she exclaimed:
- / saw you he'd hothih' under your head to
keep it from bouncin' about like pop corn over
- hot fire-se jest showed that shawl under
it. You amt bound to take it," she STAIN
mered. The man WAS glaring at her.
. If you are trying TO sell anything-or get
anything out of me, = he, observed snariingiy
'syou might as we'll spare yourself the
trouble"
''For the lands sakesi" cried Miss Tilly,
hercheeks aflame. Me sell anything to you?
Why, never sold anything in my huh life
but hens eggs, and they're so skeeree now no
one but fool would think I'd try. And as
to getting anything out o. you-you'H jest
excuse NE TO remark that in that matter,
jedgin' from your appearance, it would be
pretty poor reckin'-"
She settled back in her seat, and the old
man, with growl, returned to his former po-
stion The shawl fell in soft mass ut her
feet. Presently she picked it up, and after
shaking out the dust, folded it and replaced
it in its strap.
But, angry as she was, the old man still
fascinated her. Miss lilly was one of those
women who are born TO be mothers, but turn
into aunts. Her heart yearned over this poor,
neglected creature, who needed stitches here
and there, and who had nearly snapped her
head off
She fell to specializing as to the cause of his
anger.
'Mebbe,'' she scliloquized, the pore
creetur is a leetle off his balance, and not re-
sponsible."