The Laclede blade., 1903-05-02

HE MADE THE DESIRED ALTERA
TIONS.
compliment Joe while the latter wa
not listening, she quite beamed upol
him, and thereafter the newcomer
was fully established in her goot
graces.
1t was not long before the clQcl
in the city hall not far distant pro
claimed the hour of noon, a fact thai
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. 81 presume the boys
are ready for it, we had such an early
breakfast
Rossiter now rose, remarking that
he would join them later.
mo, 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
a slight to her cookin'."
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
(thus designated by little strip of
painted tin fastened above the door,
bearing 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 l 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. 1 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! I 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 21s miles
from the village"
you've been there, then?"
eyes, last year, Mamie an T, but
the boys never have"
Soon others began to arrive at the
hotel, and by half-past one as many
as 25 people-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 a 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 rum
ming longitudinally, drawn by two
powerful horses, moving leisurely 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
yehicle ratified over the cobble-stone
pavement, the smooth asphalt having
lot yet been laid in front of the
Cottage hotel.
"It's Jack Parmelee," Rossiter
heard Mamie Becraft say to one Of
Ter brothers. Hes Mr.. Merton's
,rother-in-law, an oversees the
arm"
The individual in question, an en-
rgetic appearing man of about As,
lis hat pushed back upon his head,
he dust clinging to his brown beard
nd causing it to seem flecked with
ray, presently pulled his horses up
efore the hotel and surveyed those
.athered upon the sidewalk and ve-
anda.
"All here?" he demanded, his gruff
oice sounding as though it might
ave proceeded from his boots. "Wen,
lie in!" he added, not giving anyone
ime to answer. "Any trunks?"
Those who had belongings hastened
o load them into the wagon; then .
here was a good-natured scramble
or seats. Rossiter assisted Joe with
lie two satchels and large basket con-
aiming the possessions of the Be
raft family, and then found him
elf seated between the two brothers,
18th Mrs. Becraft and her daughter
pposite.
"Ail right there?" inquired Jack
surveying the load from
is superior height with a glow of
:
"Righti" cried someone.
Get upi" cried the animated Jehu.
he big horses braced themselves;
he heavy wagon moved; and the Y
'urney to the hop fields was begun
ITO Be continuedl