Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-09-23

something akin to Difference. detect
ing in him superiority of breeding.
1t was not long before the clock
in the city hall not far distant pro-
claimed the hour of noon, a fact that
was reiterated by sundry whistles of
different tones in various parts of the
city.
You might as well be gettin' the
lunch out. Mamie, said Mrs. Becraft
to her daughter. Il presume the bows
are ready for it, we had such an early
breakfast"
he would join them later.
No, you don't" announced Joe Be-
craft. You amt goin' to run off like
that. We've got enough for ourselves
an two or three more. Besides, you'll
offend Ma if you skip out when they's
any eatin' goin' on. She'll take it as
slight to her cool1in'."
There was general laugh at this,
and as Mrs. Becraft assured Rossiter
that her son knew her failings, he
was without much difficulty persuad-
ed to resume his seat. Mamie Becraft
soon emerged from the hotel parlor
dhus designated by a little strip of
painted tin fastened above the door,
bearing a capacious basket, which
was found to contain an abundance
OF bread and butter, doughnuts, and
cookies. Joe darted across the way
and purchased bag of peaches from
fruit vender, and then the al fresco
feast proceeded with much gusto.
You see what / have to provide
for, Mr.. Rossiter," said Mrs Becraft,
smiling at Jim, who was rapidly max
ing away with his fourth fried cake.
But, dear me, their appetite now is
nothin' to what it will be when we
get into the hop fields. I don't know
what Mrs. Merton will say when she
sees how her pies an things disap-
pear. Did you ever hear of the Mer-
tons? It's to their place we are goin',
you know
Hes goin' too" put in Joe.
"Oh, indeed! l didn't under
stand" said Mrs. Becraft. 81 suppose
mebbe you're acquainted with the
people?''
NO, I'm not said Rossiter.
"Well, Mr.. Merton is one of the
largest hop growers near Hinton
vile. His farm is about 2H miles
from the village"
you've been there, them"
"Yes, last year, Mamie an I, but
the boys never have
Soon others began to arrive at the
hotel, and by half-past one as many
as 25 Deople-men, women, boys
and girls-had gathered on or
about the piazza. A few were
acquaintances of Mrs. Becraft
and her daughter and there was
a slight interchange of talk. A
subdued air of expectancy, however,
pervaded the company, and the eyes
of many, of the male portion more
particularly, were constantly turned
in the direction of Keneseo street.
just before two there was a cry of
Here he comes!" followed by gen.
eral movement towards the railing on
the part of those upon the veranda
Over the heads of two boys who had
crowded in front of him Rossiter be-
held long wagon with seats run
ming longitudinally, drawn by two
powerful horses, moving leisure]y to-
wards the hotel. The driver, perched
upon seat considerably higher than
the body of the wagon, swayed from
one side to another as the clumsy
vehicle ratified over the cobble-stone
pavement. the smooth asphalt having
not yet been laid in front of the
Cottage hotel
Its Jack Pa-melee," Rossiter
heard Mamie Becraft say to one of
her brothers. Hes Mr.. Merton's
brother-in-law, an oversees the
farm"
The individual in question, an en-
ergetic appearing man of about As,
his hat pushed back upon his head,
the dust clinging to his brown beard
and causing it to seem hecked with
gray, presently pulled his horses up
before the hotel and surveyed those
gathered upon the sidewalk and We
randa.
''All here?" he demanded, his gruff
voice sounding as though it might
have proceeded from his boots. ''Well.
pile in" he added, not giving anyone
time to answer. ANY trunks?''
Those who had belongings fastened
to load them into the wagon; then
there was a good-natured scramble
for seats. Rossiter assisted Joe with
the two satchels and large basket con-
tanning the possessions of the Be
craft family, and then found him
self seated between the two brothers,
with Mrs. Becraft and her daughter
opposite.
'.All right there?" inquired Jack