The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1902-03-27

/ ii uelp you get ll-ahh cat ~ "'9p'
And I'll help do the dishes"
There's the stock to be fed she
continued. Her tone was growing more
irresolute, and he noted 1t.
1.-TWO of us can feed the stock In no
time" he declared; $50 come, please;
let's get to work at once
II don't know what Martinll
think" she protested. as last resort.
But she rose from her chair. neyerthe-
less. and stood with the pan of apples
under her arm. look of pleased anti
cipatlon spreading over her wrinkled
face. He took the pan from her and
carried 1t into the kitchen.
We'll surprise Martin" he said, cas-
lily; but II will be easy TO explain the
matter. I'm sure he won't object to
your having a good time"
"0h, no. Martins real good to me"
she answered.
The next hour was a bright and hap
by one to them both. Aunt Hulda's
heart was not nearly so wlthered as her
face, and there was charm about this
youngster. who had taken direction of
her affairs In such masterful way,
that delighted her beyond measure.
She was almost like a girl. Her laugh
came freely and as sweetly as IL she
had been eighteen instead Of fifty, aud
she answered his Jokes with full appre-
citation of their fun.
The boy was enjoying himself, also.
lie filled the kettle, helped set the Ia
BILE, cut the bread and talked eontin-
ually. Then when the simple meal was
ready, and the apples were simmering
ON the stove. they sat down opposite
one another at the rude table and
feasted merrily.
He afterward tied a eheekered apron
around his waist aud wiped the dishes
while Aunt Hulda washed them.
I'VE must hurry" he said for
don't want to miss bit of the fun.
Now for the stockf"
He carried water, climbed the loft to
throw the hay. fed the pigs and the
chickens, and did 1t all so handlly and
quickly that Aunt Hulda was amazed
Next he led out old Piebald, harnessed
him to the wagon, and had the equip
age waiting beside the apple tree be-
fore the woman had finished putting
on her best dress and smoothing her
hair.
Il guess everything's tended to-
she said. as she climbed to a seat be-
side him. Il put your wheel In the
kitchen, and left the apples to slow
bile, and put the lamp handy for use
when we come back, and fed the kit
tens"
80 there's nothing on your mind to
keep you from having a good time he
commented
They drove through the dusk to the
village, where the boy promptly put
up old Piebald at the hotel stable.
Then he walked with Aunt Hulda
down 10 the tents, where they first Wis
tied the sldeshows and saw the fat
lady and the snake charmer and the
F, living skeleton and all the other Won
ders.
There was a tremendous crowd. Ev-
cry farmer and farmers wife for miles
around seemed TO he there; and now
and then Aunt Hulda would nod proud
ly and happily to an acquaintance. and
delight In the curious looks that were
directed upon her escort. They were
all country people-all but the boy. His
appearance rendered him wholly un.
| like the others but he did not seem
TO know 1t. lie ehatted gayly with
Aunt Hulda, and called her attention
TO everything he thought would inter
est her.
Then they visited the animals. and
he told her many wonderful things
about them that were both strange and
edlfylng TO the simple old woman. But
the band was now playing flereely In
the big tent where the circus perform
ance was held. Indeed. nearly every
one had already entered, and they
found themselves alone with few
stragglers
Il believe the grand PROFESSIONS go
ing to start" she whispered, neryonsly.
'All right; let's go in" he replied,
and led her to the entrance.
The big tent was literally lined with
people, from the canvas roof to the
seats at the very rlngslde. 1t seemed
impossible that It could hold another
person. The boy looked anxlously
around. On each side OF the band stand
he discovered that small box had
been built. with flowing red canopy
over It and cushioned seats. One of
these boxes had been taken by party
from Squire Meldrum's house-the
"big man" of the yillage-and a merry
group OF young and old people occu-
pied 1t. But the other box was vacant;
for who beside the squire had money
enough to pay n dollar n seat at the
circus?
The boy stopped an usher, and after
whispered conversation was escorted,
with Aunt Hulda. behind the tiers of
seats and through a narrow passage
Into the box. Their appearance caus.
ed murmur Of surprise from the sur.
rounding benches. Many knew the old
lady's pleasant, homely face, and mar
veled at seeing her thus occupying the
position Of honor opposite Squire Mel.
drum himself.
Martin was seated away down near
the ringslde, but he looked up with
the Others, and his establishment was
Intense when he saw Aunt Hulda fran
cd by the crimson curtains and can
opy, and a strange youth beside her
u FAax iNafx lao. a n