The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-06
G.O.GUY, PHI. g., Leading d

Dwight himself realized far more keenly
than the boys themselves how many OBJ
stacles were still to be surmounted.
One of them doomed up about fort
night later.
In the meantime, all went well. The
blackberry season had begun and promis-
ed to be one OF the best for years. Nearly
every day the boys went off on their
''pious labors," as the Virgil scholars
called them, and they were making even
more than Mark had counted on. A good
many Farleigh children brought in berries
to be sold "for the poor people," Made
line undertook the business of picking
these over. and preparing them for the
crate. For the scheme of sending a crate
every day to Dwight Benson's uncle. the
Foam Falls grocer, had been successfully
carried out, and every morning Dwight
himself or one OF his brothers or sisters.
called and took IL to the station. They
always came in the long wagon which Mr..
Benson had used on that memorable day
when there had been no coffin to carry
home In IL.
The night that the obstacle appeared
that has been mentioned. the family at
Butternut Lodge had Just settled down
around the open windows in the parlor
for their usual evening talk, when a
buggy drove into the yard. Mark said
afterward that he felt a sinking at heart
when he. heard It. He was sure that
something disagreeable was TO come from
II, and so 1t proved.
There was a knock al the door, and pres
emily an old man entered. preceded by
Inez. the hired girl, who said in a loud
whisper: MIR Wellman, Uncle Ransom
Ely wants to see you
Uncle Ransom Ely" who was tall,
spare. feeble-looking old man. with a long
white beard. stood In the doorway, look
ing very much embarrassed.
Perhaps you would rather see me alone
in the dining room, Mr.. Ely" suggested
Mr.. Wellman. approaching him. Per.
haps you have some special business with
me-"
''Yy-yes. ] have" began the old man.
stammering frightfully. and ducking and
twisting his head, as stammerers often
do
Mark seized his opportunity.
That's the way you are going to do
when you get old" he murmured into
Percy's ear. Sounds pretty, looks
sweet doesn't it?'
Percy sighed deeply He had a wish
that he could always carry somebody
around with him 10 say his speeches over
Tor him beforehand. but as he had been
often reminded, he could not DO sure OF
such convenient future.
Il w-w-want 10 s-see t-that boy t-that's
trying to get US o-od folks back on to
the town farm. t-too." he stammered
Il suppose you mean me-" ventured
Mark. rising unwillingiy. MY name Is
Mark Robbins
Il suppose you're the boy" commented
Uncle Ransom, regarding him with a
scowl. as they emerged into the bright
iamplight in the dining room. once fairly
seated there he continued: IT'S a ridiki-
lis plan. Mr., Hotchkiss is good 70 Aunt
Lony a-an m-me. We don't w-w-ant 10
so b-back TO the town farm. It's ridiki-
lis"
That's good" approved Mr.. wenman,
heartily I'm glad to hear that you are
50 well satisfied. It's my business 20 see
that you old folks are provided for, and
I'm always glad 10 hear that you are all
right"
Mark Qnjudiciously); Il heard you had
70 work pretty hard. Mr.. Ely"
lid like 10 know w-w-ho said t-thati
faint SO. work some. I'd oughter work
some. Mr. Hotchkiss. he don't get but a
dollar a week for boardin' Aunt Lony
an mime, an we'd oughter work all we
can when folks are so good to US. as Mr..
and Mrs Hotchkiss he"
The old mans face was turned con-
spicuously toward the window. where It
was evident that he expected Mr.. Hotch-
kiss to drink in these grateful words, The