The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1904-07-07

WoS CuAudS GlltTuOOu- nan
Peters. dressed in his bes
clothes, was making a neigh
borly call at Deacon Pepperton's hom,
But somehow conversation Jagged. i
spite of the visitors brave attempt
10 keep up cheerful flow of words
The deacon's face was unusually long
and every now and then he sighe,
dolefully.
What's the matter, deacon?' ven
tured Hank at last. You seem Il
have the blues to-day"
"Mebbe 1 have-'tain't surprisln''
Lets hear about it" said Hank
alphabetically.
"Tain't nothing new" returned the
deacon feebly, with another sigh.
I'm jest sad, that's all-sad. an
a bit lonesome at times. Mrs. Pepper.
ton is lonesome, too. Sos the farm
an the pony-an' the dog. Every
things lonely. Jest you wait till your
own boys an girls leave home-then
you'll understand how we feel"
For moment, there was silence.
Mr.. Peters. thinking his own thoughts,
looked curiously at the speakers lug
ubrious countenance There was SYM
pathy in the look, and yet, combined
with sympathy. there was something
else in the grave blue eyes that studied
the deacon's face
What made 'em all leaveT" ask
ed Hank at last. quietly.
Il dunno. First John went, then
Mary, then Tom Now Harry's gone,
an there's nobody left 'cept Mandy
and mean the dog an the pony an
the farm. Well, the youngsters have
all got work in the city, an they're
scrapin' up a bare Twin there. l guess,
but they could "a done better round
home on the land I calkerlated to give
EN- But no, they wouldn't stay
said they'd enough o. farmin' to last
them lifetime an longer. Why, to
hear them youngsters talk you'd think
that a farm amt fit or a pleasant
place for boys an girls to liver
Some farms are not"
'Eh?" said the deacon, looking up
quickly.
But Hank had an innocent, far-away |
look in his eyes that disarmed suspi- |
cion.
The next day was Monday-wash
day, of course. In the midst of the |
usual festivities incident to that week |
ly occurrence, Mrs. Pepperton made
the discovery that her supply Of soap
had run out"
"What1l 1 do" she demanded, as
she rushed to the back door and an
nounced the discouraging fact to her
husband.
''Shoo-oi You don't sayi Is all the
ten cents worth l bought you gone al
ready?"
Yes; an I've got to have more
right away"
Suddenly his face frightened. 'In
go over an borrow some at Hanks
house. They buy by the box, an are
sure TO have plenty"
And away he went across lots.
Presently he returned, his hands full
Of soap and his head full Of news.
What dye think?' he began.
Mrs. Pepperton snatched the soap,
thu " lAlt 1 n
ng that she was too busy an fus- /,
cred to think Of anything 'cept the
=
But the deacon. eager to unload his
tore of news, followed her into the h
louse. =
You'll never guess what Hank is e
lp to now, woman N.Y. l never see ii
ech a Teller for fool ideasr'
Curiosity conquered hurry. Mrs. n
'epperton's lips and eyes bulged full r
f questions. II
well" said her husband. after a q,
ramatic pause, you may'nt believe OF
!, but that Teller is jest Dustin him 3,
elf maxim a croquet ground out in m
is side yard under some apple trees. a,
les diggin' an levelin' an haulin' of
lay. an poundin' 1t down. An he's
ought croquet set an big. red. two "a
lated swing, an two hammocks. that al
ELS swung close together under a
)readin' tree, an don't know what ~
SCI didn't stop to see any more" m
And, painting and growing. the
nod deacon subsidized into a chair and W.
nned himself vigorously. III
For the land sakesr calculated Ell
rs. Pepperton, her mouth wide open a
it'll establishment. KI
AN there's worse yet" continued
# husband. "Blll Waddle told me II
is mornin' that Hank Peters had ma
ught . rubber-tred buggy, SOS bis CHI