The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-01-10
SANS GRANDMOTHER
BY MATTE DYER BRrrrs.

0hlM ! unhnUHiU illln,
BY MATTE DYER BRTTrs.
"Come at last, see. My dear fellow,
l am really glad 70 see you" II was a
handsome young man who spoke the
words to another, who had just leaped
lightly from a train at a neat village not
a thousand miles from-well, no matter
where. at does me good to see you,
dear old boy. didn't half think you
would come"
"You can't be more delighted to see
me than 1 am to be here, Sam. Why
didn't you think I would come? L
wrote you would"
"Oh yes; but fancy what you had
to Where's your luggage, Jack p
Fright here--a big telescope and my
guncase; You said you had some good
shooting about these woods"
"Yes, we have thatl Come, bundle
the traps right into the buggy, and
we'll be OFF. dare say Mime has had
supper waiting this half hour"
"Up you go, then" Jack Cameron
tossed his things into the back of the
low buggy, took seat beside Sam, who
already sat holding his lines, and they
were of down the smooth road to
WoOdside, the pretty place, two miles
from town, where Sam Dermott lived
with his old maid sister, since the
death of their father left them the
owners of land and property.
Explain yourself, old man." said
Jack, turning to his friend, as they
bowled along. "Why did you imagine
l would not Gomez"
"Oh, you were spending your vaca-
ton at your brother Toms, and they
had lot of pretty girls there, and
SOL
Just stop right now, Sam; that is
the identical reason ran away"
"What, from the girls?''
Exactly. Toms wife is a regular
little matchmaker, as you know. She
had those girls out partly with that
very idea-thinks it is time was set
tied, and all that, you see. l got so
fearfully tired of their dressing and
flirting and making eyes at fellow,
and talking as if butter wouldn't melt
in their mouths-ah, BAH IL makes
me sick nowl Don't you ever believe |
was going to stay there when | could
be out here with you and Miss Mime
not much"'
Sam threw back his head and gave a
hearty laugh.
mighty glad we are to get you on
any terms, Jack, lad; but aren't you
trifie hard on the girls? They are not
all like that"
"Well, most Of 'em are. I'm sick Of
the whole business. Haven't got a girl
waiting for me here, have you? III go
straight back if you have"
"Tben wouldn't tell you if there
was one. But no, there isn't female
soul on the place except sister Jemima
and her cook and housemaid, nor very
many in the near neighborhOOd."
"Sure you have not a few coming for
a little visit?'
"No, not expecting any. Oh, yes,
Mime did get a letter from our respect
ed grandmamma, saying she might
drop in on US this week. Nobody else,
/ assure you"
Drive on, then. We will let the
good grandmamma come if she wants
to. she won't interfere with our shoot
ing and fishing. Pm content TO stay
as long as you'll let me, Sam"
"Then you won't go back TO the city
grind in hurry, tell you thatl Get up,
Danl Show your heels to our friend,
can't YOU? He's little dandy, Jack!
Cost me a cool two hundred, and |
would not look at three for him any
day."
The girls were quite forgotten in
Sans pet pony, and before they reach
al Woodside Jacks face had entirely
lost its tired look of disgust with the
world in general. Miss Jemima, tor
Mime, as she was usually called was
standing on the front veranda to well
come them, and bid them hasten to get
ready for supper, or her nice hot rolls
would be spoiled.
They were soon seated at her hospi-
table board, and Jack did full justice
not only to the rolls, but to the fragrant
coffee. rich cream, fresh hOme-eured
ham and eggs, and all the other dainty
dishes in which Mines heart delight
ed. After supper they paid visit to
the stables before dark, and laid plans
for drive 10 Flat Rock on fishing trip
next day. Two OF three similar days
flew rapidly by, Jack declaring that he
would not exchange the good times he
was having with Sam for all the girls
in the world. -Four days after he came
Sam was OBJ iged to go to a neighbor-
ing town on a bit of law buslness-he
had TO be a witness in land suit for
another man and Jack, not caring to
put through dull day in country
court. intended to spend the time hunt
ing in the woods around the farm.
While they sat al breakfast, or, rath-
er. as they were rising from the table,
a Telegram was handed to Sam, which |
he hastily read, and gave an exclama-
ton of vexation.
"Now, hang it allr' said he, 1--WE got |
to 90 on this troublesome case, and
here's message from grandmother-
she will be at Hartville this afternoon,
and wants me to come over aud meet |
her there"
"Oh, is grandmother coming to-
day ?p asked Mime, stopping IN the
door on her way to the kitchen.
80 this says; and what TO do l don't
know, unless you will go over, Mime"
Cant I go?" put in Jack. II am
AT the service Of the venerable lady for
-. a.,,o.th of time and of eOlrse as