The National tribune., 1904-01-07

else. Her folks is goin' west, clear out
10 Kansas, they say, but dear me. don't
see what they want to go OF there for.
They III all be scalped by bowling Indians,
would all get broke up on the trip they
are goin' In a Wagon. and Mis- Gales
she SAID shed rather we had Ii than any
body as Cindy felt kind Of near TO us. 1t
looks real pretty settin' on the parlor
mantle along with them china vases your
little bit of girl Maria.
!. Now, l have wrote you a long letter
but seem nearer to you when am writ
IN and IL Is such long ways from here
to Washington. Give my love to 81 and
Annabel and viii and come home as soon
as you can. Your Pa says TO tell you he
eommends you TO the cair of Him who
marks the sparrows fall, and 90 do I INV
dear children.
From your Ma, AMAxDY MAR1A
KLEG0.'
Ma Is beginning to put on frins." de-
ciared 81 as Maria concluded. al had
plum forgot that you and Mandy was
named for Ma. and I never knew her to
use the whole name before Here's let
ter from Pap that was written just after
he got back, reckon"
oh wait minute" exclaimed Maria,
as she picked up the letter to fold il
away Here is a postscript-oh yes, it's
about the trunk. Il have sent you some
clothes as L promised. Annabelfs mother
come over as soon as got home. and we
talked about the things youde need. As
~ must be gettin warm down there in
washington, We thought youde mostly
need cotton dresses, SO / put in your pink
and the blue chambray, and that pink
sprigged lawn You got over TO the corners
last Summer come a year, and the white
lawn you got TO wear to Mary Ellen
Simmses wedding infare last Summer,
and all your white skirts. and them lace
undersieeyes, and the white swiss ones
and that black silk mantle that was your
great grandmothers and that is in fashion
now, and some white cotton stockings
that L have knit in fancy stitch Stree / ,
came home, they won't wear into holes
as quick as the olds ones which will do
just as well for you to wear round the
house when you get back. Annabeis
mother brought over a lot of her things,
and We had u dreadful time getting them
all in but we did Mandy she put in
some things, but don't know what, some
fooiIshness 1 reckon. SO no more from
"Pap's letter." began ST, but was again
interrupted by Maria.
Il declare. Ma must be getting In her
dotage. Here's another postscript away
down in the corner-the ink is so pale /
can't hardly make it out. We checked
um-er, or what on earth Is il. anyway
we checked-your'-tru must be the
next word, but / can't make il out. sand
sent it by Jim Waldron who lives over on
four-mile run you remember, he'-now
what is that next word? He went to
w M-a7s:h-i-n-g'-oh. yes, he went to
is in a hospital there and said,--now what
did he say? can't make out single
word. Paper must have been mighty
scarce, and of course, the ink was froze
eoioress. ! don't see why Ma didn't use
biueing. sSaid-s-a-i-d'-oh, here is the
part we want to know. he said that he
would stop at the National tavern. and
for You to call there for the-the check.
The key is sent by the mall"
Now, 81. you and VIII 60 right down
and see about that trunk as soon as wa
have heard Pas other letter. From what
Mandy says things will be in mess. I
there by now. This letter was wrote two
weeks ago. you see. My, what mess il
will be if he has gone back home and TAX
en- the check. We never can get the
trunk. can we. WHIP
We'll. it won't be no easy job, I reckon.
but we'll find way; go ahead. 81, with
the Deacon's letter. SOS we can go right
down and see about the frunk-hoId on a
minute, there's the Adjutant! Reckon he
has come Tor Aunt Minerva Ann"
Lets go and tell her. Maria" sug-
gested AnnabeL so the two went to the
The AdJutaHt would not come In again,
but wanted to get Aunt Minerva Ann
started home. He congratulated Maria
and Annabel on their improved appear
ance since their inconsistencies had disap-
peared on the receipt of home news. and
making them promise that they would
dine with him soon. lifted his cap and
walked briskly away. after putting the old
lady in cab and directing it TO go to his
residence.
They had just gotten back and picked
mp their letters. when 81 glancing out Of
the window, said:
There's a man out there locking for
some place" On the sidewalk was tall,
slender young man. studying the dim
Number over the door, and reaching in his
pocket for memorandum with which to
compare it. The man wore shiny, new
silk hat. straight-cut coat of black
broadcloth, a-standing collar and white
and his boots neatly polished. On his left
hand was black kid glove. His features
were regular and refined. his eyes large
and gentle. His face was clean-shaven.
The upperpart showed the tan of long ex-
posture to the weather. but the lower part.
the cheeks and jaws, from which apparent
ly heavy suit of whiskers had been but
lately removed. were as white and smooth
as woman's. There was something very
quiet, gentle and attractive about him.
with, at the same time. an unmistakable
suggestion of frmness and strength
Apparently his inspection of the MEM
orandum satisfied him, for he entered the
yard, stepped up on the portico. and rang
the bell. 81 and Shorty ceased to notice
him. for the letters were too engrossing.
Are Sergeants Klegg and Elliott. OF
the 200th Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
stopping here, Aunty?" he asked in
voice of musical sweetness, of Araminta
Amelia. who opened the door.
"No SIGH pnssons hear. 'tall--deed dey
isn't" answered Araminta, with decided
severity. trying to close the door IN his
face. The mention of the boys regiment
alarmed her. Her life in Washington had
been more or less of a struggle with the
provost guard, whom she had come to re-
gard as her natural enemies, and those Of
all soldiers. Ever since the boys had
come into the house she had expected
that the provest-guards would be after
them, and she had the instinct Of her race
to protect them. The man who produced
a paper from his pocket, read it, and then
inquired for men belonging to a certain
regiment could be no other than an ennis
sary-prUbably a detective from provost