The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-08-04
"BUTCH"
BRANKIN'S VISIT

n ILSON in his youth lived in coun-
IT try village. Since he has been
busy with state politics he has found his
early rural acquaintance useful, to say
nothing of his genuine liking for many
of them. Therefore, Gilson's house has
long served altogether too much as
general hotel and rendezvous for his
'down- state friends for Mrs. Gilson's
satisfaction. Gibson, however, main
tanning that he feels nothing but deep
est contempt for the man who will
''climb up by stool, then kick the stool
over,' has always insisted upon un-
limited and lavish hospitality toward
the out-of-town visitors. The climax
Of his generosity and of Mrs. Gilsons
patience came last week.
Mrs. ellison, who is president of
fashionable social club, was just start
ing out for an afternoon of bridge, when
the maid ushered in caller-a long,
lank, sunburned youth of hearty man
ner, but of equally manifest shyness.
He shook hands warmly with Mrs. Gill
son, and explained that "good old 81"
Mrs. ellison calls her husband Simon
and detests nicknames-had urged him
to visit him when next in the city.
He was down our way last fall"
continued the visitor, perspiring with
the strain of cOnversing with so hand
some and impressive a woman as Mrs.
Gibson, IAN he says to me, says he,
Butch, next time you're in Chicago you
just come right up to the house an
make yourself at home. My house is
the proper stopping place for my old
friends and their folks, says he. So
dad-that's Lew Brankin, of Placer
he says to me this morning, when come
away from home with load of horses,
Butch. says he, just you go up an stop
with ST Gibson. I've knowed him for
ages. an he's good Teller, all right
An So was the hurried but cheer
full conclusion, Il come"
I'm sure Mr.. ellison will be glad to
see you" said Mrs. ellison. sweetly but
inwardly furious. Hes always glad to
see his old friends. Won't you take an
easy-chair while l telephone him at the
office and see if he cant come stl aight
home"
'Oh, yes, Butch Brankin, of course"
responded Mr.. Gibson, promptly "Old
Lew Brankin's youngest. Well, Mary,
we've got to treat him handsome The
Brankins control lot of votes we've
needed before, and we'll need again.
some time. And he's really a decent
young fellow though l expect he looks
pretty rough.
mo. Mary with growing firmness-
as Mrs. Gibson sweetly suggested that
perhaps he could come home at once
and visit with Mr.. Brankin-"I can't
possibly leave the Office until five
o'clock, anyway. An important COM
mittee meeting comes off in half an
hour, and I've got other work later.
You'll have to give up the bridge for
once, Mary. seems to me, and be good
to the boy little. I'm sorry to ask it,
and of course you must please yourself
about complying, but it would be a
great favor to me if you'd be pleasant
about it. Take him for drive
Mrs. Gibson, conscious that the WIS.,
itor, restlessly moving about in the
parlor, could hear every word she ut
tered, was compelled to refrain from
the relief of plain speech. She said
good-by with forced sweetness and
hung up the receiver with bang. Then
she telephoned the club member who
was entertaining the group that after
noon that an important happening, to
be explained later, would prevent her
attendance. She was miserably certain
that the disappointed hostess would not
soon forgive her detection half an hour
before time for the playing to begin,
and this certainly added fuel to the heat
of her not unnatural indignation. But
she returned to the parlor, grimly de-
termined to do her duty by her husband
and his friend
would you like to take drive in the
park with me?' she inquired. but the
youth shook his head promptly.
Il get SO much of the trees and the
road out home" he exclaimed, that I'6
rather change Off little when I come
to the city. Couldn't we so to the the
ayteI for ewhile?"
Mrs. ellison. inwardly thanking Prov
dence that it was too late to comply with
this suggestion. explained the fact to he1