River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-07-17
Henry Makes
a Call * * *

IT was not Sunday, but the young man
wore the garments that except
upon that day usually reposed in his
trunk. He also wore a red carnation
in his buttonhole and his face was
shaved so closely that it was nearly the
color Of the carnatiOn. Some of the
color, however, may have been attrib-
uted to the fact that the two girls
in the house next door giggled pointed
w as ne came out and one of them
nudged the other in the side with her
elbow. They wished the young man
a good evening" as he passed them,
and he removed his hat with stiff
little jerk as he returned the saluta-
ton.
Three doors farther down a stout
and elderly matron stood resting her
arms on her front gate. At the mo-
mcnt she was watching three little
girls who were playing mother" on
the sidewalk and the young mar
hoped she would not notice him; but
she turned her head just as he reached
the gate and broad smile overspread
her comfortable face.
"Well, good evenin', Henry" she said
with great cordially. Its warm this
evenin', amt it? How's-"
"'Devenin' returned Henry, with
out slackening his pace, but blushinga
deeper red and grinning awkwardly.
The woman looked after him and her
smile grew broader. She glanced back
at the house as if in search of a smpa-
thetic neighbOr and not seeing one
crossed the street and entered the lit
tie grocery AS to the young man,
he knew that the windows on both
sides of the street were filled with
watching faces. He did not look He
knew it without looking; also that the
young fellows who were playing ball
half a block further on would have
something ''fresh" to say. He consid-
cred the advisability of turning down
a cross street. However, it was not
entirely a cross street but a cul de sac
that would take him too far out of the
way, considering that he was already
Is minutes behind time.
His apprehension was not ground
less, for one of the ball players called
to him.
Hello, Hank!" shouted the player;
'you must be"
He did not finish the sentence, for at
that instant the ball come toward him
in a beautiful high-thrown curve and
he had to run to catch it. By the time
he had accomplished this and had sent
it whizzing on it's way to the next man
Henry was some distance past him
and his back looked fOrbidding
Its pity people can't tend to their
own business" said the young man to
himself, as he looked anxiously ahead
of him and felt in his breast pocket
for his handkerchief. 81 guess they
ANT got much business of their own .
He felt awkward and he was afraid
that he looked so. To avoid this an
pearance he thought it might be as well
to smoke. 1t would look more easv
and unconcerned. He took a pale,
greenish-brOwn cigar from the upper
hand pocket of his waistcoat.
lighted it and walked on with some as
surance. 1t was not much farther to
the street car line, after all. He came
to house whose yard. fenced with
green wooden pickets, boosted rustic
, summer house, over which wild cucum-
Der vines were climbing. He knew the
house and who lived there and he
quickened his pace.
"Hello Henry!" called thin, piping
voice, and from behind the summer
house little old man with a wisp of
gray beard and bright, inquisitive eyes
shuffied in his carpet slippers to the
gate. Hold on, Henry" he continued.
as the young man with a muttered
'Devenin' was hurrying on. Gimme
light; my pipes gone out"
The young man felt for a match.
LET me take your seegar," said the
old man. 81 couldn't light match in
this wind, nohow"
There was no help for it. The young
man handed him the cigar and he took