The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-10

with his aunts on the way to Join his
Iamlly at North East Harbor
IL was delightful to see the dear fellow.
.Dut both aunts devoutly hoped he would
not near of the toad episode, for they
were beginning to feel sensitive. and their
nephew had sense Of humor
1t is so good to see you," John said,
as they all three sat out on the piazza
after tea. Il was in Newport for a day
or two last week. and 1 hunted I'D Aunt
Letltla. She is at one of the SWEETEST
hotels, and thought she looked in first
rate condition, but she seemed a little
hOmesick"
"Letitia homesick?" Miss Deborah asked
incredulously.
Il fancy being with Miss Macauley
isn't all Aunt Letitia's fancy painted it.
ohe SAID something enigmatical about
never knowing people until you live in
the mouse with them. She said Miss
Macauley was most interesting wo1-
an, but that she liked her own way" he
added' with CLEAN of amusement in his
eyes. In short, think Aunt Letftia
Will be quite reconciled when her time is
up How We'll your hollyhocks and sweet
peas and dahlias are looking, Aunt De-
borah."
Don't be satirical, John; the garden
never looked so badly. Still if you could
have seen it a fortnight ago when we
came down from the mountains, you
Did | see toad in the garden?" John
asked II certainly did. There goes an
other! And there is a third one hopping
along! How odd. There IS a fourth! /
never saw SO many toads before
'"The garden is full of them, said Miss
Deborah. They eat insects, so we are
glad to have them"
Il suppose they all happened along Of
their own accOrd?" John inquired non
chalantly.
"Quite So said Aunt Deborah "The
garden gate was ajar and they walked in
THAT was ve.y convenient
John began to laugh, and so did his
Aunt Deborah.
Il might have known your Aunt Lee
titia would have told you the whole
story she said.
You forget that Esther takes the
Country News. Just how many toads
have you in your garden?" he asked con-
fdentially.
Almost precisely the same number as
my age John-just one or two more.
Now, you know it isn't polite to ask a
lady her age"
'If you have only as many as you are
years old Aunt Deborah, it is a very
small number" he returned CALAMITY.
Lucy, isn't it pleasant to be with
some one who doesn't tell the truth?''
At this point boy with a pail came
up the pathway.
John, you go and tackle him said
Miss Deborah He has toads. Tell him
don't want any,
Miss Wyatt does not want to see you;
you can go home" John said.
The boy fingered.
Miss Deborah came down the steps.
81 don't want any more tOads," she said;
land what is more won't take any more
toads I have sixty in my garden. 1
can't be expected to buy them the rest
n
would take them of you" she added with
cheerful malice. Tell her Miss Wyatt
sent you to her.
Il amt got no toads,'' said the boy
sullenly. What should be doing with
toads? I've got some blackberries Mr..
Newhall sent you from the farm, but if
you don't want EN-, I'll take EN- to the
other lady,
eve do want them,'' said Lucy, hurry
ing down the steps to get the pail. 1T
was very kind of Mr.. NewhaI to send
them"
John meanwhile had been disgfacing
the family by laughing immoderately. IT
don't want any toads,'' he mimicked after
the boy had departed. IF you could only.
have heard yourself as you made that
statement, Aunt Deborah
''Well, John, I don't believe you would
want any If you were in my cireum-
stances
What do you suppose that boy
| thought" he asked her. What report
will he give the old man? Miss Deborah
Wyatt has gone crazy will be the very
mildest way he'll put it. Poor old Peter
Newhan! You owe him an explanation"
And SO it was that good came out of
evil and that Mr.. Newhall had that invi-
tation to dine with the Wyatts, an event
that was one Of the browning pleasures
of long life. John alone knew why the
invitation was given and he promised
never to tell.