The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-29
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

lining LLdt pays DEtlEI IMAM Lll5 cedSeIe-S
stitching But here cones mother.
must chase away this weary look"
Mr.. Ashley had been a government clerk
and lived up to every cent Of his income
just managing to keep up 2 gentee1 APP
pearance and send Katie to an excellent
school
Bat Mr. Ashley died suddenly, and the
little family was left entirely destitute
Mrs Ashley was an invalid. She could
help in no way TO support her little fam
ny- 50 Katie, when only 10, was forced
to leave her studies and put her shoulder
to the wheel A sewing machine was
purchased, ard bravely she went to work
Katie, love, this will never do. You
must not work 50 constantly Get your
hat and 90 take walk. and, my child
She hesitated. We'll I've been thinking
that possibly, If you would try yourself
and not depend on friends, you might get
a position I should think General Looms,
II he knew you would give you work. &C
and ask him. Katie
What about the general, mother? Z
know him by sight and to speak to a lit
tie and he is fine old gentleman, L
think, said Walter Ashley, q boy Of 10
years, who had entered the room and
caught the last part OF his mothers re
marx
How, or rather where, did you meet
him, Walter?7' asked Katie.
Why, J. see him most every afternoon
mp where we go fishing. Well, it would
do you good to see him when be has fine
luck. I believe he would sooner draw up
black bass than greenbackss' Walter an
swered-
oh, Walter, sometimes when he IS in
such a good humor. could you not tell
him who you are and ask him to give me
something to dos'' Katie asked in a tone
and manner half serious. half in fun.
Now, rs if be would mind what boy
eaidt No. Katie you come and go with
me. Ladies often come up to tho fishing
ground. Then. when he looks pleasant
enough, you ask him yourself. L am go
ing now
They were soon after on their way to
the fishing grounds. When in sight Of tho
place Walter said: The general is not
there, but he viii come by and by, I guess.
I'm glad we are first I'II get a good po-
sitlon -
soon his line was dropped, and a few
minutes after Katie saw him draw 1t up
with a triumphant exclamation
What a beauty on, there comes the
general Amt I glad he didn't get here
before He would have caught this. Now,
watch him, Katie. I'm going to have a
brisk time, = think. -
Kate raise.i her eyes TO the approaching
form tiInidly for an instant, but an in
slant only, for surely there she found moth
ing to encourage longer gaze
General Looms looked decidedly cross,
and the expression changed not for the
and watched
Then at last, tired and disheartened, she
coaxed Walter TO return home
What lucks. asked Mrs. Ashley, meet
ing them at the door
splendid See what a feastl" ex-
claimed Walter He had quite forgotten
the real purpose of Katie going.
Oh, Walter mother means something
OF more Importance than yourfish, Katie
said, adding: . No luck Tor rae, mamma I
az r..
asVfully cross.
well that's SO. He did. ] never saw
him SO before. But the fish did not bite
for him. L guess that was the reason
said Walter.
Day after day, when Walter returned
from school, she would put aside her work
and accompany him, returning to the anx-
ious mother ever with the Respondent lcok
on her pale face
Twelve days passed thus To Walter it
was beyond comprehension He declared
that always before the general looEed
pleasant sometimes he was really jovial,
and on two or three occasions had spoken
with much Kindness to him.
Il declare, Katie, it is the strangest
thing I ever knew From tho time lie
more 50 until he or we leave, " Walter
said.
s.Thcn will NOT 90 any more. 1 be-
leve I must have something to do with
his changed humor- -
oh, nonsense. Katet never meant
to imply anything Of that kind OF course,
as I told you before, neither you nor
have anything to do with it. Come on =
A gain obey arrived in time to secure the
place Tor Walter sport And Katie be-
gan her watchful, wistful gaze
II was not long before the familiar form
came in sight, nearer and nearer, until the
poor girl could plainly see the Same old
look and it really seemed to her he ut
tered an angry, impatient elimination.
General Looms stopped not at his &C
custoIned place, but came right up to
whore they sat Planting bis rod into the
her a few seconds and then said in very
amiable t0nc.
i did think you would have staid
home such an afternoon. Can't 70 find
anything more profitable to be about
Poor Katie, trembling with fright,
stamnercd.
Before she could control her emotion suf-
ficientIy to say anything more the general
exclaimed:
Then 1 can. Do you write fair hand?
Can YOU count rapidlys But you can
learn, if you do NOT already. Liste to
me Come to me tomorrow, and III put
you to work ana keep you 50 busy you VIII
be glad to rest and not come here every
afternoon
You are so kind, so very k1nd.' Katie,
yvha found her voice. exclaimed. How
can [ thank yous'
by keeping of roy fishing groand.
Don't you know, ever since you have been
coming here you've occupied my place,
and being a young lady I couldn't very
well ask you TO remove and so III give
you an office to get rid Of you
Katie was so Overioyed ana treasured
BY the pleasant tone and manner of the
general that she told him about the object