Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-11

anu sewed ana swept, and was helpe
In many households; now and then OF
Sunday they set of early In the morn
ing and walked to the manufacturipf
town whence they had come, to 20 Il
massi At the end Of the summer, wher
they felt prosperous, they sometimes
hired . horse and wagon and drov,
there with the child between them
Dulhsm village was the brighter and
better for their presence, and the few
old-fashioned houses that knew them
treasured them, and French Mary
reigned over her kingdom with no re-.
volt or disaheotion to the summers
end. She seemed to fulfill all the du.
ties Of her childish life by some exouis.
Ito instinct and infallible sense Of Al.
ness and propristy.
One September morning, after the
first FROST the captain and his friend,
were sitting In the store with tho door
shut. The captain was the last conner.
I've got bad news," he said. and
they oil turned toward him, appre.
hensive and forewarned.
Alexis says he's going right swsy"
lregret was mingled with the 10y Of
having piece Of news to tell), SYeu,
Alexis d going away, he's packing ND
now, and has spoken for Fosters hsy
cart to move his stun TO tho railroad
What makes him 10 ioolishY" said
Mr. Spooner.
He says his folks expect him in
Canada; he's got an aunt livin' there
that owns q good house and farm. and
she's Rittin' old and wants to have
him settled at home to take care Of
her."
I've heard these French folks onlv
desire to get forehanded q little, and
then they 90 right back where thew
come from" said some one, with an air
Of disapproval.
he says he'll send another man
herei he knows somebody that will be
GLAD Of the chance, but don't seem 10
like the idea SO WE'LL" said Can't
weathers, doubtfully We've all cot
80 used to Alexis and his wife; thew
know now where We keep everything
and Al have got to be SO handy, Strange
they don't know when they're we'll of.
suppose It's natural they should
want to be with their own folks. Then
there's the little girl"
AT this moment the store door was
opened and French Mary came in. She
was dressed In her best and her ewes
were shining
"Igo to Canada In 70 carsl" she nm.
nounced joyfully, and came dancing
down between the two long counters |
toward her rcgretful friends; they had
never seen her so charming
Argument and regret were impos.
sible-the forebodings Of elderly men
and their experience Of life were Of no
use at that moment, a CLEAN Of youth
and hope was theirs by sympathy in.
stead. A childs pleasure In a Journey
moves the dullest heart; the captain
was the first to find some means OF ex.
preston.
Tive me some O that best candy for
her. he commanded the storekeeper
mo, take bigger piece Of paper and
tie 1t up WE'LL
"Ain't she dressed a little thin?" said
gruff Mr.. Spooner, anxiously, and for
his part he pointed the storekeepcr to
small plaid shawl that hung over.
head and stopped to wrap it himself
ibout the little shoulders.
II must get the little girl something,
,oo," said the minister, who was a
grandfather and had just come in tor
lis mail What do you like best, nv
iear9' and French Mary pointed shyly,
tut with instant decision, at a blue
ills parasol, with white handle,
when was somewhat the worse for
lavlng been openly displayed all sum.
aer' The minister bought it with
Measure, like country boy at fair,
I w pun ,n'o nei hand'
French Mary kissed the minister
s''n rapture ana gave him her hand
=, s a.'a 'nen sne pu. down the para
=. anu ian ana climbed INTO the old
a ats iap una hugged him with
oVh arms tight round his neck. She
po ''l, ~. ior u moment whether she
no",u KISS MI Ezra spooner or not,
Nv ~. nap p,,; sue a,d not decide against
H. "'u ' sa'a =, "n anec'lohate good-by to
' ' rau III 'ne rest Mr.. Staples
VIZ
|