River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-29

Good Lord, William, don't be rashi"
They gathered around him again with
whoops of good-na 'ured banter. Hut
William was too supplemented 10 no.
tice the sarcasm. 10 him the delighted
grins meant pure JOY and simple in the
prospect of the coming treat. Re led
the way into HuIrs forthwith.
YES" he repeated, with solemn en-
phasis, I'm going to treat you. I'm
going to treat you all"
The boys followed with much hilar-
it,.
Good boy. William"
60 il, old mani"
They slapped him on the back with
familiarity that delighted his soul and
warmed tie cookies of his heart. His
eyes were bright, his cheeks showed
dull red under the sunburn. He was as
excited as a girl over her first party.
The proprietor looked up with a
startled air when the noisy crowd pre-
cipitated itself into the middle of his
little shop. But his face reflected the
general mirth when Fiske announced,
with a family percer tible imitation of
Williams drawl:
MIR. Plumber, sir. has made up his
mind to treat us. He's goin' TO treat US
ALL"
ayes, Ebenezer," William affirmed,
genially. He stepped TO ne front and
indicated with an awkward wave cf his
hand how large was the contingent up
on his liberah;y.
Now. boys. choose what you'll have. !"
said he.
To his excited vision the number
seemed TO double and treble. 1T may
take a fve-dollar NOTE .Ie reflected.
recklessly, ''or even more. But it's
worth it,
The choosing began.
a few people who lad been leisure
~ drinking soda water set down their
glasses and stepped back to watch the
fun. Ebenezer looked on with a
broad griu. To William it seemed only
natural that the matter of selection
should be a serious thing.
Charley Ludlow changed his mind at
| least five times. Eiske was torn be-
tween the rival Seductions of strawber-
~ cream and orange phosphate. AT
last he appealed to William.
Lord bless YOU" said William, beam
ing, Il don't know anything about those
things. But take your time, take your
time. want you should be suited
Herubbed his hands with almost jovial
satisfaction. 1t seemed very luxurious
and eNtravagant, all this talk of fruit
sirups. ice cream, and so on. He had
tasted ice cream only once or twice in
his life, and of fruit sirups ne heard
now for the first time. But I'll do it, -
he still maintained within himself, If
have to mortgage the farm"
Fiske and his crowd were among
Ebenezer's most constant and lucrative
customers. They were, therefore, priv
iliged characters, and very much at
home In the little place. While Bob,
having yaulted over the counter was
ladling ice cream into the glasses. and
two of the others, with much rejoicing,
were manipulating the silyer-plated
spigots, William called Boenezer aside.
See here" said he, in a significant
undertone. I'm paying for this treat.
you understand"
Ebenezer nodded, and winked his
right eye to the room. The left was
turned toward William.
I'm not prepared to pay tonight"
continued William. This whole af-
fair was gotten up on the spur of the
moment. hadn't expected to do it
never dreamed of such a thing. I'll drop
in and settle with you tomorrow"
"All right" said Ebenezer, with his
gOod-natured grin. All the people in
the room were smiling. William after
ward said to his wife, in describing the
| incidents: Il don't know when I've seen
lot of people so kind of happy and
pleasant loOkin'."
Thus the time slipped away in social
intercourse and conviviality. Mean
time, out at the farm on the edge OF the
village, Melissa was waiting in growing
anxiety and suspense. The clock was
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