The National tribune., 1903-05-28

mess with the cats and chickens and pig.
and can't clean things up like she can.
WhSl are yop coming home. A little lamb
come the other day and Jarvis Said II
would die cause the mother wouldn't have
1t, so 1 brought it in the kitchen. and its
the funniest stiff legged thing. Say, Pa,
can't 1 have it for mine Them Jersey
heffers IS going to come in soon. and say,
Ma, can't have one for staying at home.
l don't mean a heffer. but one of the
calves. The Biddy hen that Miss Harvey
give You stole her nest under the big corn
crib out by the walnut tree by the orchard
gate. Jarvis said the rats would
get the whole bilin so I brought her to
the kitchen and set her in a corner OF the
wood box. l had to put the sieve over her
because she would coax the speckled hens
chickens into her nest. 1 declare, Ma, the
kitchen is a sight, so you had better come
home to your loving daughter.
AMANDA.
"'P. 81 am we'll and hope this will
find you enjoyin' the same great bless
ing. Mandy. 2. S.-Tell 81 hello for me.
and Shorty too. So no more from yours.
MANDY"
The Deacon came in while Maria was
spelling out the letter. for it was no easy
| task to read Mandy's cramped characters
She was getting pretty fair education
but her penmanship was none of the best.
Now what do you suppose that kitcber
looks EkeT' groaned neat Mrs. Klegg a,
she saw in her minds eye the menageri,
which Mandy had gathered in the usually
spotless apartment. why, / won't bc
able to get that floor white as Mrs. Wan
zer's for six months. | feel rs though
l ought to go right straight home. And
her waistband all busted out. too. / de
clare, Mandy is a sore trial sometimes
Now, mother" said the Deacon. don't
you fret about Mandy. I think she is n
boss sort of girl. Not many children OF
her age would be that thoughtful. J
| reckon the beasts are company for her.
too. But and here he thoughtfully
| scratched his head. .'It really does look
as though l ought to get home to that corr
| planting. And, then, if them Cotswold>
are going to get sick Ill likely lose the
whole business, for Jarvis is a ciod wher
| it comes to sheep. Mandy knows more
| than he does
| Maria saw that her father was really
worried. and that it was likely to make
| them all unhappy, so in Ter straightfor-
ward fashion she set things right in
| few words. Father, you and Ma shal
go home right after the wedding, and we
have set that for next week feel very
sure that Annabel and me can get along
by that time, for ST and Will ought t.
be able to get around a little by next
week, and once they are out OF bed W,
will have no more trouble. Now do try
to be cOntented till after that, and then
you can go right home. If the boys are
fit, we might all go on the boat together
as far as Washington This with an
inquiring infection which included all pres
ent.
DO you think it would do Fatherr'
asked Mrs. Klegg anxiously. The excite
ment had subsided, the need for her e1-
acting care was no longer pressing, and
like all home bodies, she felt that she
was needed on the farm. "Just to thinl
OF girl of mine wearing stockings witt
holes in them," she remarked to Annabel
Il could shake the child. That meddlel
Mrs. Mathers will be telling all round
that Mandy is abused, reckon Can We
all go, FatherY"
81 declare 1 am that worried don't
know what to do" and he began to MOI
his head. II reckon we will have to dc
as. Maria says: however believe the boys
will be fit for trip to Washington"
Il reckon You will. Pa" remarked thai
waist and waltzing to the door with her
Lets get some flowers to carry into the
boys in the hospital" Not watching
where they were going. the two girls rar
plump into the arms of q blue-uniformed
officer
beg pardon, ladies' said a boyish-
locking Lieutenant in full dress uniform
and with sash and side-arms. as he dis
entangled himself and entering the room
lifted his cap. .'The General presents his
compliments, and desires me to say tha,
he has heard .rumors of contemplated
marriage of one of his Sergeants. and If
that be true he solicits an invitation"
Maria blushed furiously as her eyes met
those of the handsome young man, who
was showing all his teeth in his smile.
Annabel looked little frightened. She
was afraid that the General was going
to declare the wedding off. She was al
ways in state of constant expectation Of
Colonels and Generals doing terrible
now might kill Shorty and break Maria's
heart.
Mrs Klegg was mistress of the situa
ton, as she generally was. A woman whe
had lately visited the President of the
United States was not to be abashed by
any of his subordinates. "You can tell the
General. SIR" she said with quiet dignity
that what he has heard is true. and We
expect a marriage between Mr. Wiz
Elliott and my daughter, and we shall be
glad to have him and all the other friends
of Mr.. Elliott and my son present"
Then her woman's curiosity got the bet
ter of her. How in the word did the
General know there was to be a wedding?''
she asked.
Everybody in camp knows it now," an
swered the Lieutenant. Il think you car
give little Pete the credit for that. Lit
tie pitchers you know. We are all very
much interested in the matter because
we are very fond. indeed, of Shorty. or
l should say. Sere't Elliott and the boys
want to give him great send-off."