Daily camera., 1897-08-19

OIL HULL Ill llC CldtltI VI
which proceeded from an inner room,
and very soon shuf1ing footsteps ap-
preached the door.
A tall, stoop-shouldered individual,
dressed in brown cotton shirt. blue
overalls and cowhide boots, loomed up
out of the gloom of the darlened rooms.
From the look of astonishment on the
mans face when he saw me, | judged
the advent of stranger was rare oc-
currcnce to this household.
'Wili you haul me and trunk to
Nels.aville?" | asked
Ny question produced blanker stare
from the old fellow. and his jaws, which
had been busy masticatinga niouthful
of food. ceased operations. J gave him
time, and. when he had partially re-
covered from his surprise, again ad-
dressed him.
"Do you understand English?" 1
asked.
Zach, y-e-e-s indeed." he replied, aft
er he he'd lrG'iIy swallowed the food
"A,.d is y,I3r llaIHc IIunsicker--Jacob
L! u! '9iChSl tOi. itiiued.
L" nodde,i :. reply.
81 he staten agent down at the depot
:;tia>that perhaps [ could get you to
take me over to Nelsonville. Will } ou
d. it?"
"V-ell, bud we're just at de OATS" Mr..
IIul:s,cker said.
Il am willing to wait until after sup
FER. which win not interfere with the
harvesting You will be well paid fer
your trouble.'
Her"upon the rather shrill voice of
Il woG'an came from the inner room.
She spoke in Pennsylvania Dntch, but
/ was able to make out that her words
conveyed a command for her husband
to comply with my request She also
added that he should not offer to do the
work too cheaply.
| smiled as l recognized in this one
of the provident traits of a Pennsylvania
Dutch farmers wife.
"I'll pay you WELL" l reiterated.
81 guess you should gif me feefty
cent" Mr.. Hunsicker said, in a doubt
full manner, as though he really did
not expect to receive that amount. but
was determined to get all out of me
that he could.
"It is settled. then, that you take me
over. Well not quarrel about the terms.
Allow Inc to rest here under the cool
shade the remainder Of the afternoon
and give me some supper, and you shall
have dollar"
The farmer was quite overwhelmed
by my munificent offer, as was also the
hitherto unseen female. For the wom-
an peeped from behind the door of the
kitchen to have look at me.
l bowed to her, and she acknowledged
my salutation by coming forward.
81 guess you haf no dinner" she said,
in a hospitabe way.
The truth was, | had had none, and,
being rather healthy, | was not sorry
to be ushered to the table, where l
was bountifully supplied.
During the meal the woman favored
me with many searching glances, which
| attributed to her curiosity.
again returned to the front porch
"You have nice place here" l said,
handing the man cigar. THE house
is new, is it not?'
"Aboud fife year DID," he answered.;
and then his wife took up the conversa
ton.
eve rented farm ofer at Nelsonville
for long dime Bud We nefer had no
childrens, so We safed some money and
bought dis farm" she said.
The woman was eager for little gos-
sip, and was bound to have it, in spite
of the fact that the dinner dishes were
awaiting her.
did you ever know old Abram Mel
son, Of Ne!sonville?" l asked, willing
to indulge her wish. It's long time
now since he died--1S years"
eyes, We knew him. 1t vas part of his
farm vc rented after he died. the man
made response.
] could not restrain a smile at his
clumsy way of putting it. but before
] could ask another question the WON
an came up to where was standing
and gazed earnestly into my face.
Zach, Gott! It's true!" she eX-
claimed, clutching my arms. Its Mel,
little Mel! Ach Gott, knew it,
Then her excitement ended in flood
of tears l gazed down at her in as
tonishment, and as l looked recollec
tion came to me.
"Why, surely, l used to know you"
l said, smiling down upon her. You
must be Sarah. You used to work at
Grandfather Nelson's when | was
small boy, and took care of me during
my visits"
"Ach, see! he knows mel" the woman
exclaimed, turning toward her husband,
''He would not forget Sarah! So, so.
After so long dime Ach, my! And
now you are man, and haf growed so
big!"
l really should have explained before
that my name is Nelson Conway. l
had been rather small. puny child,
and my grandfather called me Little