Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-03-07

lIull tHul udu llolh thN
gnarled, overladen branches. She was
dressed in faded blue calico gown
and checked apron and wore home
made sunbonnet upon her gray head
At her right was the roadway leading
from the barn to the turnpike in front
of the house. A few feet TO the left
was her back doorstep. 1t was a warm
afternoon, and the shade of the tree
had tempted her from the hot kitchen,
as it often did.
Aunt Hulda's melitations were not
worthy of record. She was simple
old body, living a simple clrcumscribed
life and thinking simple, unimportant
things. For instance she was about to
make applesauce, and she knew her
sauce was highly praised by the farm
ers' wives who now and then dropped
in for a visit and some tea. These
were memorable occasions with her.
She reflected upon the evident enjoy
ment Mrs. Worrell had displayed only
last week, when she ate two full sau-
GERS of Aunt Hulda's applesauce. From
the same tree, too. 1t was good
tree; she had used its fruit in sauce
for many years; thirty-maybe forty.
1t was hard to remember the exact
time. Probably it would keep on bear
ing these rosy-cheeked apples as long
as her days lasted. and then--
Then she looked up and saw the
boy. He had just ridden up the turn
pike on his bicycle, and glancing over
the fence perceived Aunt Hulda seat
ed under her tree.
He could not have said what made
him pause, dismount and regard the
homely picture thoughtfully as he lean
ed upon his wheel. When he saw that
she. observed him he took off his cap
and bowed to her, and she returned
the salutation composedly. Then, af-
ter hesitating glance up the road, he
trundled his wheel through the open
gates and came to where the woman
was sitting.
Good afternoon" he said, pleasant
ly. "Will you let me lie here and rest
bitT
She nodded. She liked boys; and this
one was fresh and manly and good to
look upon. He wore modest gray suit
and cap, and stockings of brown worst
ed. There was nothing 'hashy" In his
appearance, which could not be truth
fully said of all the bicyclers Aunt
Hulda had seen spinning along the
smooth turnpike.
The boy leaned his wheel against the
tree, reclined gracefully upon the
grass, and resting his head upon his
elbow, watched the deft fingers that
busily continued to pare and quarter
the apples.
"Tired?' she asked in a motherly
tone She had never been blessed with
children, but had all mothers tender.
ness for youth still fresh in her old
heart.
mot very" he answered. but II
looked cool and pleasant here, and
and | thought I'd like to talk Will
you"
She nodded again.
"You see, l am not limited as tc
time" he continued, lazily stroking tn,
kitten that had crept to his side, "fol
| am taking n cross-country trip on my
wheel as part of my vacation. l never
know where l shall stop at night; thai
Is one of the delights of the trip. When
dark overtakes me, or | grow tired,
stop at the nearest village"
"The highest place to here is Mill
bank" remarked Aunt Hulda. "There',
circus there to-day
"A circus? Why, that's jolly! There's
nothing | love better than to attend 4
country circus. Not for the sake of tn,
bareback riders and clowns, you up
derstand; but to watch the people ant
enjoy their enjoyment
Martin Is there now," she said.
"Martlny'
"My man. It's his year. We take
turns, you know; he goes one year and
go the next. Martin went early this
afternoon, so as to see the animals'fed
but he won't see the show till the even
Ing performance It's always bette
evenings. He took his supper In hi
pocket"
But why don't you go together?'
asked the boy, sitting up.
at costs too much" she replied
frankly. I'VE really can't afford it a
nll, now times are so hard; but we'r,
two old folks, living all by ourselves
and we thought as we'd divide up. ant
take in the circus every year. Whel
/ go, | tell Martin all about 1t; an,
when he goes he tells me. 1t, t,gives u
something to talk about when Weir
alone in the evenings, and it's almos
as good as going yourself to hear Mar
tin describe it."
The boy lay back and looked at he
curiously. He did not laugh. 1t seem
ed to him he was nearer tears thai
laughter, although he could see wei
enough the comedy Of It,
"How far is the town?" he asked.
1.-TWO miles"
I