Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-07-26
go look after the cattle. an then we'll
90 10 bed"

Ills oltfH
with laughter and goodwill as he
shone with all his might right down
on the Simpson homestead. But after
examining things carefully and max
ing up his mind that all was not right,
he beckoned To little cloud, and
buried his head from sight.
The old horse and double wagon
stood outside the door. The back seat
had been taken out 20 accommodate
the small hair-covered trunk, which
Mrs Simpson had insisted should be
bound tightly down with stout rope,
as She had once heard of trunk being
left in the middle of the road, while
the driver logged contentedly on. Her
husband had thought this precaution
unnecessary, but after long discussion,
finally yielded. lie now sat on the
seat, very stiff and straight, holding
the reins while waiting for his wife to
appear. The deacon had always had
strong desire to be dressy, but on ac-
count of his prominent position in the
church he had not thought best to in
dulge this weakness, or been en-
couraged in it by his wife. But now
that he was going to the city, that
abomination of wickedness, he felt
no one would be injured by his ex-
ample, and SO he had given full play to
his taste. Some few would have ques-
toned il; but to the deacon's mind his
outfit was absolutely perfect His
long, lank form was encased in his
black broadcloth coat, thrown jaunti-
! ~ open TO display the white vest. a
/ flowing plaid necktie and hair watch
chain But the browning glory was
his hat, the purchase Of which had
cost HIM much consideration, but with
the most satisfactory result 1t was of
white straw, trimmed with blue rib
bon, and would have had quite an air
If it had not been fully two sizes too
/ large, and rested on his ears. When a
boy, his mother, in making or buying
clothing for him, had always kept
! little ahead of his then present size, in
anticipation of his growing; and this
idea had become so fixed in his own
mind that now, at sixty-five years of
age. he never thought of buying any
ing anything TO exactly fit him, al
! though his object in SO doing was
some what indefinite.
Amt you never comm, Mariap" he
| called out; the train won't wait for us
| forever"
Just then Mrs. Simpson appeared at
the door with a large bag in one hand
/ and the yellow cat in the other. She
was hot and out of breath from her ex-
ertions, and hurried look at her hus-
/ band completed her discontinue.
L 1. 4.
| Amos looks" she murmured 10 herself,
as She turned TO lock the door; but |
/ amt goin' to say one word TO rile him,
but just keep prayin' that somethin'
/ will turn up TO keep US"
The deacon appeared buried in
thought. He felt that his wife would
not approve of his hat, and so had kept
it out of sight until now. After the
dreaded moment had passed he looked
over his collar and surveyed her.
What you goin' to do with the yaller
cat?" he inquired
We've got TO leave her at Polly's on
the way down. wouldn't trust Joe
TO feed her. There; you hold her while
/ get in
The wagon creaked and groaned as
Mrs. Simpson laboriously climbed in,
and then visibly sank on her side when
she was finally seated.
We'll, you ready? Get up there!"
and Deacon Simpson and his wife had
really started for the city.
They logged along for nearly
quarter of mile in silence. When
they came to the turn in the road which
4 ~-a,,11 h,An tha hn,,eo frcp, 81 bs.
stopped moment and, turning around,
surveyed il.
You'd better look at it, Maria, eff
you want TO see it for the last time.
1t looks kind O. lonesome" and he
choked little as he fumbled nervously
at the reins.
Il think we'd better be goin' along"
was the cool answer, but inwardly his
wifes heart was wrung with pity for
him. but | sha'n't say one word;
he's got TO change his own mind" she
thought.
"Do you s'pose the yaller cat III stay
at Daughter Polly's?' was his next re-
mark.
NO; l guess she'll run right back;
they generally do"
Neu-uo you pose she III starve|
and his voice quivered perceptibly as
he asked the question, for the 'yaller
cat was his special pet.
mo; don't think she'll starve; but I
kind o. guess she'll look peaked when
we get back; an then she'll sort o
worry for us all the time" The dea-
con moved uneasily, and once more
! thew drove on in silence
At Polly's matters were not much
better. AS the deacon embraced each
Of his grandchildren he visibly weak
ened, and his farewell 10 the baby was
almost too much for him. He glanced
imploringly at his wife, but no help
came from that quarter; instead, she
said 1--WE must drive pretty fast now,
father, If we want TO get there" But
as they said good-by she whispered to
! her daughter: IL guess you can