Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-06
Billy's Boarders



90 lilly ALLEN sat on the chop
l6pins, block, whiting ,' dejfctedly'
versation between his father and
things We're going to the dogs" The
crops had failed miserably, the inter
est on the mortgage would be due in
two months. and even with the money
that his sister Emma earned in the
corn cannery, could not be met by fifty
dollars.
But what had hurt Billy worst of all
had been his mothers final remark
the pathos had been in her voice per-
haps more than in the words them
selves
Its a pretty place" she had said,
turning away; and Billy knew that
meant they would have to leave the
old, rocky, hillside farm, which, after
all, they loved.
He was summoned to carry the daily
can Of milk to his Aunt Sue, and hay
ing harnessed the horse, he drove off
on his errand, still frowning and mel
ancholy with unproductive thought.
His aunt lived a mile and a half
away. in the middle Of Pembridge vii
lage. To Billy. whose own home at
the foot OF a mountain and behind a
| forest was remote, the village was a
highly interesting place; and in sum-
| IN. III t.,
was his aunt's house, for she took in
boarders. At the evening hour, when
Billy arrived with the milk. these we'll
dressed city people would usually be
sitting on the piazza or under the
trees, or perhaps playing croquet ON
Mrs. Snyders bit of lawn.
On this evening Billy looked at them
wistfully. They seemed to him so in
humanity free from all the cares and
worries of this world.
He carried the milk into the kitchen.
His aunt was on the back porch, turn
ing the crank OF an ice-cream freezer.
Billy" she said. have you five
minutes to spare? Turn this a while.
cream"
Billy took his aunt's place. remark
ing that his time WAS not valua bic
"They're going to have a party to-
night" she explained, pouring the milk
into her pans. 1T makes lots of extra
work. but land. they pay. | don't
complaint
"How did you get 'em, Aunt Suey'
Billy asked. languidly.
advertised. Can't get anything
without advertising. nowadays"
They have to have croquet and
hammocks and ice-cream, don't they.
Aunt Sue?'
"My folks do My sakes, they want
the earth. But there's always profit
on it If you manage right she added,
checrfully.
ON the way home Billy's thoughts
ccntercd upon summer hoarders. II
there were only some way of per
Suading them 10 come to his mother
house, There were two spare rooms.
dccenily furnished. and every one said
his mother was Il "uatural-horn" cook.
But what attractions could he offer in
place OF such impossible Injuries rs
his alrlt was able TO afford? Nothing
except the great. overtoWeling noun
tain. with It's trout brooks and its one
traditional bcar-which many profess
ed to have seen and at which few
had shot.
When Billy reached home he said to
his mother:
IF you had boarders. mother. how
much would you charge them?'
THAT depends" she answered, with
out much interest Aunt Sue gets
! from seven to ten dollars a week. If
folks would put up with what we
could give them. I'd be glad to get five
dollars. With the garden-truck l could
save half of that
would you like to take boarders,
mother?'
| The boy tried to make his question
seem as casual as possible.