Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-02-10


tells were piled upon the truck. and
the old man, trembling and mutter-
ing, had Just accomplished the descent
of those stairs which would never an
noy him any more, in rushed Tom, at
more than his usual random speed,
more plentifully bespatterd withprint-
ers ink than was even his wont, and
suddenly brought to a standstill by
the unexpected symptoms of removal
thatlnet his seyesas he entered.
you going away" he exclaimed,
bluntly, as he came to a sudden halt
in front of Agnes, who stood by her
fathers side, with her basket in her
hand, and ready equipped for start
ing.
Agnes answered in the affirmative.
''What for?' said the impetuous
boy; 'Emy mother been in her tan
trums? and Twas a-going to show him
my birds and all; what a shame!"
ooh, don't mind, thank you," ex-
postulated Agnes; "I'm glad, though,
I've seen you, because you've done me
many a kindness, and [ wanted to
thank youp' ttlE} +kt2S
"Bother.' interrupted Tom, his face
reddening, and indignation getting the
better Of a certain shyness which would
else have been too much for him on
such an occasion; ''but, / say, where
are you going all of a sudden? You
was friends enough when | left, you
and mother, and you must have fell
out since; what is it?''
''Never mind, Tom," said Agnes;
.sthere's no falling out, only Mrs. Gre
jous gaveus warning; don't you mind,
[ am going to friends.
''Tom! you Toni" screamed the
voice Of Mrs. Grejous at this juncture;
"'come along here, I want you'll, ~
No answer from Tom, but he looked
at the loaded truck on which the man
was endeavoring in vain, to find room
for the flowers in their cumbersome
receptacles.
rLooks heren' Toms favorite ad-
iuration-''I shall carry something for
you; you're loadedn'
ooh, 10, indeed" Agnes began.
"But I will, else I'll lead the old
man, else I'll shove the truck; will
help"
"But pray, Tom, you know Mrs.
Greious won't like it!''
"Tom! are you coming to your tea
the foot OF the stairs; at the last, she.
did not feel, perhaps, wholly equal to
fancing the foesshes had SO uncom-
promisingly routed.
Tom flew. down the kitchen stairs at
two bounds.
Look here, mother, what's Miss
Chaunce a-going away all in hurry
for, and what's she been crying
about?"
Never you mind-how should I
know what she's been crying for? do
her good, [ dare say; she had need.
Now, where ale you off to?"
Tom had meanwhile washed his
face and hands and assumed his cap,
with every sign Of discarding his long
suffering tea.
I'm a-going to help'em move, said
Tom, taking care to possess himself
Of the door beforehand.
''Youdaren
Il like moving, and Isdon't want no
tea" said Tom; and he was already
at the top Of the stairs.
The truck was already out Of sight,
but the tardy steps of the old man de-
layed the pair, and the boy caught
sight of Agnes dress as it futtered
round the corner.
Quick as thought, Tom darted
across the Close, dived into an alley
which intersected the very street the
truck had entered, and so met the lit
tie party face to face, with triumph
ant exultation.
Agnes began a remOnStrance, but
might as well have spared herself the
trouble.
Tom had a ready ally in the
young man who drew the truck, and
who was not indisposed to having his
burthen lessened. So, with a mutual
grin, the one resigned, the other took
possession of the flowers in their tin
canisters, and a box which Tom in
sisted would be much safer with him
than on the truck; he would have
added to his load the basket Agnes
carried, but she, NEG at all rejoicing in
TOMS act of characterization, refused.
"You amt angry with me?" Tom
said, at last, as they journeyed slow
ly along Holborn, and she had yielded
to her fathers caprice, that
Tom should lead him. II shan't
do any harm coming, shall II"
cob no, | an not angry, Agnes re-
piled promptly; "it'svery kind OF you;
only, you see, Mrs. Grejous is set
against me, Ind [ don't care for her
to know where [ am gone; besides, she
may be angry with YOU"
ooh, that's no Odds" said scape-
grace, very undutifully; and if that's
all, you catch me telling anybody any
thing! so it all right"
A load was taken off Toms mind,
it was evident. -
He thenceforward became a very
host in himself, showed them the
shortest cut to TyndalPs Buildings;
unloaded the trunk, carried in the
chairs and the press bedstead, and ct
ceterass of Agnes S household goods,
and deposited them in the passage,
whence Nelly and Agnes quickly trans
ferred them to the now over-croWded