The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-08-12

land tell them about the party. I'm
afraid they wouldn't be tidy enough to
enjoy a surprise"
So when the party dispersed Mrs. Bar
nard delivered the neighborhood mes
sage and passed on with smile of salts
faction.
From that time forth a new life
dawned on the Dobsons. Their lamp
was the last in the valley to go out
at night and the first to be lighted in
the morning. The whole family seemed
possessed with fever and hurry of
joyous excitement.
Got to have everything slick and
mended," admonished Abner; "can't 60
off leaving things shiftless like"
When the eventful day of the party
finally arrived everything was in per-
feet order. Two hours before the ear
lest guest could be expected Mrs. Dob
son went to the door in her fresh, new
calico and looked about anXiously.
''They will be along now pretty soon,"
she announced, excitedly; you haven't
forgot your piece, have you, Abner?"
81 reckon not" he answered, thought
fully, as he ficked straw from his new
overalls; cit begins: Fellow neigh
bors.'"
''Oh, never mind about sayin' it now,
paw" she interrupted, 81 reckon you
will get through when the time comes"
But Abner was not so certain. He
repeated it over and over again. Even
during the arrival of the people he could
not escape its haunting phrases. He
forgot it only when he went to see the
unexpected gifts from his neighbors.
Then his vision suddenly grew dim, and
his mind confused.
He wandered back to the end of the
house which the men had appropriated.
After moment he drew himself erect,
and began in a loud, artificial tone:
'Fellow neighbors-"
The unusual address attracted the no.
tice of those nearest. A wave of 81
lence passed on to the women's edge
of the company.
"Feller neighbours" he began again,
''me and Mis- Dobson feel to thank you
for this here unexpected notice. May
be we-uns amt been any credit to you
all before, but after this we're going
to be-
He cleared his throat, while the peo-
pie looked at each other Questioningly.
His wife prompted him quickly. mis-
Dobson and me" she whispered.
Mis- Dobson and me,'' he repeated.
got lonesome, and thought we'd bet
ter go back to our kin. But lately YOU
all have showed we-uns that there is
kin nearer than them of blood. Thew
didn't give us no farewell party. You
all have been mighty good; Mis- Dob
son and me know that there amt no
other such neighborhood on earth. Sc
we amt going to the mountains"
The neighbors were startled, but thew
had undertaken to make this party a
success: to a man, they arose to meet
| the new occasion. For the first time
they made the Dobsons welcome.
After the party was over, When the
last wagons were separating, Mrs. San
sen said: I'm glad we did it, ANYHOW.
It's just made people of them Dobsons.
Him and Billy come over and cut all
them Canada thistles we blamed them
| for.''
! And mended our barbed wire fence. ,,
added Mrs. Early, land fixed Mrs. Jen-
kins' plow."
"Say, Mrs. Barnard" laughed some
one, your party was a big fzzle as a
'good-by.'"
Perhaps" she answered, softly, "but
| L think it was great success as fare
well to the Dobsons. Good night, DEAR
The well-satisied neighbors passed
under the quiet stars, which looked
down peacefully, long after they had
vanished. on the lazy. vacillating Platte,
and to-day the Dobsons, regenerated
by neighborly kindness and made ac.
tive by sympathy and approval, bear no
resemblance to the sluggish, unlovely
stream.-Youth's Companion.