Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-01-20


somewhat shyly of the young girl,
when he had assisted in placing the
armchair to the old gentleman's in
finite satisfaction, where he could
gaze upon the lively inhabitants of
the cage.
Agnes replied in the affirmative.
cpl get back soon and tell him
about 'em, and show him the young
ones; | say, mother, don't cover 'em
over, they won't make much noise;
I've given 'em plenty OF green, and
they'll be too busy to make much
noise
~ wonder if she's going to have tea
with mother, too" he soliloquised, as
he ran across the Close; ''she didn't
say she liked 'em; Jem Honess said
she wasn't pretty-she is, only she's
so white. That makes thirteen young
ones, and only two hen birds among
'em, prime that is. My eye, it's gone
threeD"
With this mingled soliloquy, Tom
FASTENED on his road, at sight of the
clock quickening his run, and accom-
panying it by whistling ahornpipe, till
he turned into Pie Alley, where a sore
temptation beset Tom, in the shape
of a splder-legged charity boy, who
questioned him, from the other side
Of the way, as to when he thought Of
getting his hair cut, whether he (Tom(
would save him lock, adding iniuri-
Gus surmises as to how much q yard
it fetched, when long enough.
TOMS fingers itched, but certain
black doors were in view. and, by
signs not to be mistaken, Tom
knew he was the last laggard;
so he was fain to content
himself with a brief definition Of his
sentiments regarding charity boys III
general, and an invitation more
forcible than polite that the other
would meet him there at eight o'clock
in the evening, and '.he'd let him
know"
Then the black doors swallowed up
Tom and his modification for the
time being, leaving the yellowcapped
charity boy to his doubtful triumph.
Meanwhile, we return to the kitchen
i'll Shutters Close.
"Lor'! he must be q blessed handful
to you, and no mistake said the
landlady. "Why, his minds quite, as
you may say, gone; there's as much
may say more more than child,
you may say, for q child is growing
up"
II have brought my fathers tea,
ma am" Agnes said, gently, not wish
ing evidently to enter upon the subject
which the not too sensitive Mrs. Grej
Gus had preached. eff you'll please
give it to him." she added, II a5n't
think he'll be much trouble; | hope
not"
"Oh! bless you, no--poor old gentle
mani"
"Ill come down for father, shall +,
Mrs. Grejous?" asked Agnes, going to-
wards the door; "about what time
would you like?"
ooh! when you want him, suit your
self; Pm going to have a friend in to
tea myself, but that'll make no odds,
he won't be in the way. I'll cover
them drafted things over just now, till
the sun goes in"
Agnes then returned to her room,
and she was busy herself in making all
tidy. She had put away the basin and
the rest of her fathers toilette, had
swept up the hearth, rubbed her CRATE
and fender, and made up the scanty
fire with a lavish hand, then set on
the hob a small teakettle-a recent
purchase, apparently, the lid and
front were SO bright. Then she washed
her hands, and it seemed as though
no more remained to be done, when,
all at once, her eye fell on the chair
which was, in general, her own seat.
The piece of painted board which
formed the seat, and had once been
nailed on, had become loosened, and
with touch was apt to swing round
in an unexpected and announcement
manner; q thought seemed to have
come into her mind, and she FASTENED
to put it in practice SO eagerly that
her pale face flushed, partly, perhaps,
lest she should not beable to complete
it in time. From the curtained off
corner she fetched q small piece Of
baize like that which hid the recess;
with needle, thread, and scissors she
quickly adapted and fitted it to the
board, then, with some pieces of Irvine
stitched it on at the corners, she tied
lU Hill w O1lC ctl1SA WILL llCW
flush of delight tried and rejoiced in
the effect.
It was q fair trait Of this girls char
acter that for months she had used
that ill-condltioned seat and made no
effort to repair the discomfort for her
self; to-day another was to use it,
and all her ingenuity was called into
request.
She had but just put away the cot
ton bag that did duty for a work-box,
when her door being open, she heard
the closing Of the street door, and i'm
mediately after the loud voice of the
landlady directing some one.
Fright up atop" she was saying
'the room over the attic, and please
60 as quiet as you can past the first
floor,
Agnes ran from her room and met
her visitors half way, welcoming them
in tone that was of itself welcome
/, She soon returned with a little girl
1