Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-03

plants an things; but L caic id.e 'o
wife has all she can do maxim SIPS out
O dimity cloth!"-for at johns lhere
were little children.
Reuben laughed, and pushed away
his plate. But Leah rallied Tor the
second attack.
"Mebbe she's dreadful busy, put
Johns wife will always find time 70
keep CROWN things round
"Of course. There's six there now IL
| remember. l guess they all grow last
enough
The immediate prospect OF
change" made Reuben unWohtcuiy
jovial He chuckled in pleased appre-
lciation of his little joke. But Lean WAS
intent on his own thoughts, ana re,
manned grave enough. II she couiu
WEEKLY STORY
only have some of Johns wires SIPS
and, maybe-land. think of II! Johh $
wife had roses all around the house.
An Johns real poor beside l'eu-
ben" sighed Leahs thought.
The last thing. as Reuben drove out
of the yard, she called out after ann,
wistfuly:
If you're a mind to speak of the
slips, Reuben"
And then she went back to her work,
and Reuben rode along the pleasant
country ways. with the beautlIul rcsuf-
rection of spring all about nm. The
air was full of the smell OF newly
turned sods, as he. passed by helds
fresh from the plow. The flrst blrds
back from their winter resorts tllted on
| timber tWigs, and sang to nm. 1t was
spring -spring-spring.
Reuben Coles blood quickened and
flowed more freely through his veins,
as the sap was flowing under the little
song birds feet.
| He passed a jogging couple in a
quaint, old Fashioned wagon, ana
caught a glimpse of their placid enjoy
ment of each others company.
II declare" he thought, why didn' Z
/ bring Leah along? | might've. as
well as not. Ia go back now, If l
warn't Il third of the way to Johns
AT Johns a good many things inter-
| ,-Stcd Reuben Cole. ana a good many
things astonished him. The tiny farm
was Just out of its winter dress. and
the spring cutting ana fitting had not
begun.
Amt you late about your plowin'
| john" questioned Reuben. Il little sur
prised, for John was iirst-rat"
| farmer Down our way it's all out VI
The way. an plantin' Will be comm
along pretty quick"
Yes. am late" laughed John.
chrerily enough. looking ny from his
work-hr was helping his wife prune
roses and shrubs. You're ahead this
time. sure Rut | told Lefty here she
shouldn't do an this prunin' ana tyin'-
up alouc-thc plowin' could wait a bit.
Don't YOU worry. I'll catch up with
YOU"
John ana Johns wife were bending
over a white rosebush, ana their heads
ana fingers came together. now ana
them in tha fri~ndliest nudges. Both
uf them were laughing. with their
voices keyed to spring music IL was
very pleasant out in Johns front yard
| Reuben sat on the doorstep, and re-
vulvod ncw notions in his head.
why shouldn't ! help Went on
| johns voice Half this front yard ;
mine. am | guess | want things to look
| lourishin jill it. too,-hey. Lefty. what I
! that YOU say about men folks not cdrin'
! for flowers? Take it back, ma tam
| one, two. three
y merry race cnsucd. ana All the little
John children flowed out of hooks ana
crannies to join in it.
Lefty came out Of it brcathlcss and
smiling.
Were goin' to put the aster seeds in
under the windows this year" she eX-
| planned to Reuben. They'll look sn
bright against the undcrpnnin. ANA
the sweet peas over there against the
fence. and the pansy beds here, you see.
The children see to those. oh. we're
goin' to look fine, | tell YOU, Anil
Johns sent for some new shrubs. too
| let's see: hydranEcas. ana golden cl-
| der. and smoke tree. Last year We
got that purplc-lcavcd plum. You'd
ought to see it by an by. And we cot
the white lilac"-John's Wife said LAY
lac" too,-''last year. oh. yes. and that
cunnin' little mulberry tree. We try 70
get three new ones every year. When
the front yards full, there's the back
yard
Johns wife laughed. and went in to
see if the John baby had walked III
lyet.
E7Ilt = IL SItil Vilt ibi IiNlil w. is'AbN
1 is" John remarked. proudly. II leave
the selectin' all to her; then | help set
out and tend. There's nothin like hav-
in things kind o pretty around the
house. ] say that's as necessary as
having good potatoes and thick hay
crops. If you can't have both. have six
% one. and half a dozen q the other.
You chaps with the money can out
shine us. Of course, but well do the
level best we cam"
All the way home Reuben cole was
still revolving his new ideas. In the
back Of the wagon was a bundle Of
shrubs done up in burlap. He had
driven ten miles out of his way for
these Johns wife's slips We're in a moist
package under the seat. Halfway
home, the idea said there was going to
be q revolutions in the front yard at
home. TWo-thirds of the way there
was going 70 be a revolution in the
little homely sitting-room. where he
and Leah sat together through the long
winter evenings. There was going to
be something new and bright there. as
well as in the little homely front yard
Grand ideaS-braVe ideas.
Thrce-fourths of the way home. he
was going 70 help Leah set out the
things. and prune them ana dress them