Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-02

one thought of him.
 The hotel stood upon corner, and on two sides of it there was wide veranda, at one end of which mother and daughter were sitting. The girl was plain, shy miss of r, while the mother proved to be a woman of ample proportions, with a worn but kindly face which showed that her path through life had not been among the roses. Her manner towards Rossiter was at first marked by a decided reserve, but when her son ex- plained that he was indebted to "the gentleman" for a very particular favor, she thawed petceptibly, and later, when Rossiter contrived to compliment Joe while the latter was not listening, she quite beamed upon him, and thereafter the newcomer was fully established in her good graces. Though her experience in the world had been limited, like her elder son she was a person of obser- vation, and treated Rossiter with something akin to deference, detect ing in him superiority of breeding.
 It was not long before the clock in the city hall not far distant pro- claimed the hour of noon, fact that was reiterated by sundry whistles of different tones in various parts of the city.
 "You might, as we'll be gettin' the lunch out, Mamie,' said Mrs. Becraft to her daughter. ''I presume the boys are ready for it, we had such an early breakfast
 Rossiter now rose, remarkng that he would join them later.
 s'No, you don't" announced Joe Be- craft. "You ain't goin' to run off like Unau. We've got enough TOT ourseIves 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 a 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 a 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 a bag of peaches from fruit vender, and then the al fresco feast proceeded with much gusto.
 ''You see what I have to provide for, MT. Rossiter," said Mrs. Becraft, smiling at Jim, who was rapidly mal-s ing away with his fourth fried cake. "But, dear me, their appetite now is nothin' to what 1t 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"
 He's goin' too," put in Joe.
 "Oh, indeed! didn't under stand,'' said Mrs. Becraft. .'I suppose mebbe you're acquainted with the people?'s
 ''No, I'm not" said Rossiter
 'Well, MT. Merton is one of the largest hop growers near Hinton g vile. His farm is about 21s miles from the village"
 You've been there, then?"
 "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 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 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 run ming longitudinally, drawn by two powerful horses, moving leisurely to- wards the hotel. The driver, perched upon a seat considerably higher than the body of the wagon, swayed from one side to another as the clumsy vehicle rattled over the cobble-stone pavement, the smooth asphalt having I not yet been laid in front of the Cottage hotel.
 "It's Jack Parmelee," Rossiter heard Mamie Becraft say to one of her brothers. "He's MT. Merton's brother-in-law, an oversees the l farm.'
 The individual in question, an en- ergetic appearing man of about 45, his hat pushed back upon his head, the dust clinging to his brown beard and causing it to seem fecked with gray, presently pulled his horses up | before the hotel and surveyed those 1 gathered upon the sidewalk and ve- l randa.
 "All. here?" he demanded, his gruff voice sounding as though it might have proceeded from his boots. "We1l, l pile in!' he added, not giving anyone | time to answer. "Any trunks?''
 Those who had belongings hastened | to load them into the wag gon; then there was a good-natured scramble for seats Rossiter assisted Joe with