Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-10-13

Il tAN r44LAlC D1D1C anu ONCIuuCu "OIA-
basket always on the same stand at
the head of her bed"
| On reaching the parlor, Mary was
somewhat surprised to find grandma
ensconced there, company knitting in
hand. She remained discreetly quiet,
however, and conversation was eddy
ing amiably about the American pub
lie school system, when a meteoric fig
ure shot across the front lawn, and an
excited but jovial boys voice shouted:
"Maryi Maryl Come quick! The
pig has got out!"
"Oh, do let's go and help, and see the
fun anyway" cried Juliet, starting up,
while an irrepressible smile went
round. Poor Mary could do no less
than comply, fervently wishing mean
while ahat Trotters and all his kin
were in the depths of the sea.
Back and forth went the quarry,
with Dick in hot pursuit, dashing
through flcwerbeds, squeezing under
fences, and scattering poultry and
cabbages in his mad career, while
Mary fourished a stick and Juliet
waved her handkerchief and chIered
on the competitors equally with her
smiles. After some ten minutes of
this inspiring race, piggy was finally
captured on the barn floor amid pro-
digious squealings, and the girls re-
tired from the scene, leaving Dick,
spent with exertion and laughter,
perched On the meal-barrel and mop
ping his brow with piece of old bag
ging.
"Oh, what a lark! I wouldn't have
missed it for anything!" declared
Juliet, nodding gayly to Mr.. Fair
child, who at that moment drove into
the yard with his load. 81 do think a
farm is the most delightful place in
the world"
! ESPECIALLY the menagerie," said
Mary, relaxing in spite of herself.
AS they went up the steps they heard
grandma holding forth, and found that
dear old lady launched upon the tale of
Andrew Hawkes. school-keeping ex-
perience. Her glasses were far down
on her nose, and she was using her
knitting-needle, from which the
stitches had half run off, to empha-
size the dark points in Sammy Hawkes.
character. Mrs. Chadwick was throw
ing in a word now and, then, and the
others listening with an interest
which, if not real. was certainly we'll
feigned.
Mary, who had heard the story be-
fore, wondered if it would ever end,
and, apprehensive regarding supper.
she went into the kitchen. Her moth
er passed her on her way to the par
| Tor, and after three minutes chat
''as if nothing a all was the natter
begged the guests, with reassuring
| cheerfulness, to step out to tea.
There was one dreadful moment
when they passed on Enthusiastically
into the kitchen, but really the room
did not look so very bad, with it's
| broad, western windows, and spotless
table set out with grandma's luster-
| band china, and--yes, the usual thing,
one of mothers countrified, hetero-
geneous Spreads-plates of biscuit and
rye bread. pitchers of milk. cottage
cheese, picked beets, baked apples,
spiced peaches, ham, cold chicken,
honey, doughnuts and snaps" in
homely profusion. Alas, for the salad
and the pineapple ice-for Katie Foley
and her waitress cap.
Father asked a long blessing, stand
best coat, and looked Extraordinarily
talked and ioked, unburdened by GER
emory. Alice begged permission to
sketch the fireplace and photograph
the pump. while Olivia invited sugges-
tions for harvest festival.
Towards the end of the meal, an old
half-witted neighoor came in to ask
mother for piece of soap, a news
paper and some toothache drops, and
before leaving insisted on shaking
hands with the whole company. The
episode led to an animated discussion
of social problems, in which Mrs. Fair
| child's kindly common sense and moth
er-wit easily carried the day.
When the party adjourned to the
side porch and the big yard, Mary's
spirits had risen with a sense that
the worst was over, and she exerted
herself to be so gay, gracious and
charming that the idiot and the run
away pig should be blotted from mem
DRY. That she succeeded was proved
by the sprightly voices and peals of
laughter which shook the pendent
branches of the sweet-bough tree.
81 do hope you'll invite us again."
observed Juliet, like any spoiled child,
as she tucked a loaf of brown bread
under her arm preparatory to say
ing good-by; 1.-The people about here
are very pleasant, but their ideas of
entertaining are so exclusive"
Mary darted her mother a side
glance, but she was beaming impair
tally upon her guests.
Mrs. Fairchild and l have lived long
enough to learn that true hospitality
lies in letting people share our every
day lives; but like other best things,
it's the rarest, and I'm afraid the most
difficult" and Mrs. Chawwick shook
hands with that simple warmth to
which her fine presence lent a peculiar
charm.
We'll, 1 don't see but things were
very well enjoyed" said Mr.. Fairchild,
mildly, as he loosened his boots that
night; "but twas kind of odd their
making that mistake about the day.
now wasn't it, mother?"
You can't see through a stone wall
any farther than other folks, can you,
William" replied his wife, with an air
of quiet amusement, and not another
word could she be got to say on the
subject.
Mary, meanwhile, was thinking that
mother would repay further study
Youths COMPANION