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

BY SARAH ORSE JEwErr.

t The town Of Dulham was not used b
4 seeing foreigners Of any sort or ;
hearing their voices in its streets $
that it was in some sense matter O
: public interest when Canadian fam
lily was reported to have come to tn,
white house by the bridge. Thi
house, small and low-storied, with
bushy little garden in front, had beer
standing empty several months. Usual
ly when house was left tenantless Ii
Dulham 1t remained so and fell int
decay, and, after some years, the Gin
nNnon rose bushes struggled into thu
cellar and the dntiful grass grew ovel
the mound that covered the chimney
bricks Dulham was a quiet place,
where the population dwindled stead,
lily, though such citizens as remained
had more and more reason to think II
as pleasant as any country town In
the world.
Some Of the old men who met
every day to talk over the town affairs
were much interested in the new.
corners. They approved the course Of
the strengthening young Canadian
laborer, who had been quick to seize
upon his opportunity; one or two Of
them had already cngagcdh him to make
their gardens ind to do odd Jobs, and
were pleased with his quickness and
willingness. lie had come afoot one
day from a ncighboring town, where
he and his wife had been made III bv
bad drainage and factory work, and
saw the little house, and asked the
postmaster Il there was any work to
be had out Of doors that spring in Dull.
ham Being assured of his prospects,
he reappearcd with his pale, bright.
eyed wife and little daughter the very
next day but one. This startling
promptness had given time for but few
persons to hear the news of new
neighbor, and MS one after another
came over tho bridge and along the
road there were many questions asked
The house seemed to have new life
looking out OF its small-pancd win.
dows; there were clean white curtains
and china dogs on the window stills
and a blue smoke In the chimney-the
spring sun was shining in at the wide.
open door.
There was chilly east wind on an
April day, and the elderly men were
gathered inside the post Office. which
was also the chief grocery and dry
goods store. Each was in his fayorite
armchair, and there was the excuse of
a morning fire in the box stove to make
them form again into the close group
that was usually brol;pn up at the an.
proach OF summer weather Old CAPT,
Weathers was talking about Alexis
the newcomer they did not try 10 pro,
nounce his last name. AMI was SAVING
for the third or fourth time that the
more work you set for the lrenchman
the better pleased he seemed to be.
Helped 'em to lay carpet yesterday
at our house, neat Us wax sail the
captain with approval. Made the
garden in the front yard so It hasn't
looked SO well for years We're all 20
in to find him very handy; he'll have
plenty to do among US all summer
Seems to know what you want the
minute you pint, for he can't make out
very well with his English. | used to
be able to talk considerable French in
my early days when sailed from
southern ports to llavre and bordeaux
but don't seem to recall II now very
we'll He'd have made smart snilor
Alexis would quick an willing"
"They say Canada French amt spoke
the same anyway" began the captains
devoted friend, Mr.. Ezra Spooner, BY
way Of assurance, when the store door
opened and bright little figure stood
looking in. All the gray-headed men
turned thatway and every oneof them
smiled
Come right In, DEAR" said the kind.
hearted old captain.
They saw charming little creature
bout six years old, who smiled back
lgain from under her neat bit of A bat
he wore q pink dress that made her look
till more like flower, and she said: :
Bon jour- prettily to the gentlemen
S she passed. Henry Staples, the store !
'ecpcr and postmaster, rose behind the |
ounter to serve his customer as il she b
lad been a queen and took from her c
and the letter she brought, with the S
mount Of its postage folded up in =
'arm bit of newspaper S
The captain and his friends looked on a
nth admiration a
Give her piece Of candy--no, give y
me an Ill give 1t to her." said the y
aptain, eagerly, reaching for his cane C.
nd leaving his chair with more than "
snal agility; and everybody looked g
n while he took n striped stick Of pep Il
crnint from the storekeepcr and Of
'rcd it CALAMITY There was some 81
ling in the way this favor was ac- II
pied that savored of the French e.
'urt and made every man In the store 81
lover.
The child not only made q quaint al
wv before she reached out her hand OF
it'll childish eagerncss for the unex. |
cited delight, but she stepped for. IN
ard and kissed the captain.
There was murmur Of delight at
Is charming courtesy; not man
ere would not have liked to find 40
me excuse for walking away with
r, and there was general sigh
she shut the door behind her and
'ked back through the glass with mi
rting smile.
That's little French Mary, Alexis ue
tie girl, said the storekceper, eager wi
proclaim his advantage OF previous
luaintance "she came here yester. '
y and did an errand for her mother I'M
nice as grown person could" Uni
i never saw a little creatur' with wa
'tticr ways said the captain, blush III
and tapping his cane on the floor
This first appearance OF the little -