Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1903-11-28


supper Ill introduce you, just as if
you had meyer seen each other and
YOU can both take Il fresh start
Uncle Ike arose. by the time you |
have read your letters supper will be
ready, and I want to so and have a |
talk with Alice. She is my only niece
Mr.. Sawyer and think she is the
finest girl in Massachusetts and, as
far as ! know. there amt any better |
in the whole world" and Uncle Ike |
Went out, closing the door after
him.
Quincy resumed his seat by the
window. The light had faded con-
siderably, but he could still see to
read. Naturally enough, he first open
ed the letter bearing the feminine
handwriting. He looked at the sigma
ture first of all and read Lucinda Put
NAM" What can she have to write
to me about?" he thought. He read
the letter.
Mason's Corner, January %, 1856
My dear Mr.. Sawyer:-I regret very
much that | was absent when you
called, but am glad to learn from moth
er that you had pleasant visit Al
though you are from the city am sure
you would blush ii you could hear the
nice things mother said about you |
am conceited enough to think that you
will find time to call on us again soon,
for wish to consult you regarding an
important business matter. l am go
ing to Boston next Monday in relation
to this business and if you could make
it convenient to call before then it
would be greatly appreciated by
Yours very truly,
Lucinda Putnam.
Quincy reflected What is she up
to? Some legal business, l suppose.
Well, am not practising law now;
shall have to refer her to-"
He took up the other letter and read.
Sawyer, Crowninshield & Lawrence"
His fathers letter read as follows:
Boston, January 81, 1856
My dear Son:-Yours at hand, and
inquiries carefully noted. had q
brother, James Edward Sawyer: he
was five years older than and must
be about sixty. Father wished him to
study law. but he wouldn't study any
thing. When father died he got his
share of the money, about $4,000, but
he squandered the most of it in high
living. The next we heard of him he
had married country girl named Eu-
nice RAYMOND, | think. He brought
her to Boston and tried to introduce
her into the society he had been
brought ND in. She was nice, pretty
woman. but uneducated. and naturally
bashful, and James finally left the city
and went to live somewhere in the
country, never knew where! he new
er wrote me after leaving Boston. This
Jim Sawyer may be your uncle. I
hope not. but ~ he is remember he is
my brother, and if he needs any as
sistance let me know at once. hone
your health is improving. Your moth
er and sisters are we'll and send love,
as does also
Your affectionate father,
Nathaniel Adams Sawyer.
AS Quincy finished his second letter
there was another rap at the door and
Mandv's voice was heard outside say
ing, "Supper's ready, Mr. Sawyer"
Quincy jumped to his feet He had
not unlocked his trunk. as he was not
certain that it would be worth while
to do So 1t was but the work of
few moments to make the necessary
changes in his toilet. He put on a
/ black Prince Albert coat in place of a
sack coat that he usually wore, but be-
I fore he had completed this change
there came another tap on the door,
and Mandy's voice was heard saying
THE things will get cold if you don't
come down right away
AS Quincy entered the large room
which was used for a dining-room, he
was met by Uncle Ike. Ezekiel was
standing short distance from his un-
Gle. Uncle Ike said, ezekiel, this is
my friend, Mr.. Sawyer. Mr.. Sawyer,
this is my nephew, 'zekiel Pettengill
| / am good friends with both of you,
and hope you will be good friends to
each other"
The two men shook hands. If each
had any idea Of what the other was
thinking about he did not betray it by
look or act.
| Uncle Ike continued, "Mr. Sawyer,
this is Jim Cobb and this is Bill Cobb,
and this" as Mandy entered bearing
something for the table, sis Miss Man
dy Skinner. Now that we are all ac-
quainted, think we had all better in
troduce ourselves at once to the SUD-
per. / haven't done such hard days
work for sixteen years"
| Ezekiel insisted upon Uncle Ike TAX
/ ing the head of the table He motion
ed Mr.. Sawyer to take the second seat
from his uncle on the right, while he
| LOOK the nfSt seat on the left, with
Cobb's twins next to him.
| Quincy Immediately surmised that
when the sister appeared at the table
she would probably sit between him
and Uncle Ike.
/ The meal was not very lively one
as far as conversation went. Quincy
inquired politely concerning Miss Pet
1 tengills health. and Uncle Ike said
she was tired after her trip, and Man
dy was going to take her supper up to
her.
The meal was plentiful and we'll
cooked. Quincy thought to himself,
how much brighter it would have look
ed, and how much better the food
would have tasted if Miss Huldy Ma
son had been present with her pretty
face, joyous laugh, ana occasional
bright sayings.
After supper the things We're quickly
taken out by Mandy. The white table.
cloth was removed, and one in which
the prevailing color was bright red
took it's place.
The three men drew up to the open
fireplace. Uncle Ike pulled out his
pipe and said, do you allow smoking
hara 'Zake2"