Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-10-04

hear he mad gotten that 5OD9 Deed,
it wis fine compliment to him. But,
We see, he's an extra fine workman, an
if folk wants thing dune weel-no'
chape, We ken-they gang to David
Houston"
At this juncture Jess arrived with
the tea, and Mrs. Wallace, having help
ed herself, said, with unusual geniality:
I'm vexed fur giein' We a this trou
bic, ma lass, fur yell need to be get
tin ready fur yer man. Hech, but
pie mair mulk an drink it quick" She
gulped her tea in fashion that Miss
Perl thought extremely vulgar. "Weel,
that wis maist refreshin'. An moo it's
time l wis ava. Ye better see ABBOTT
yer mans tea. I'm shair yer lveesit-
or IL excuse ye."
Mrs. Houston felt and looked uncom-
Portable as Miss Perk rose, red with
anger, and said coldly: II fear l must
be going, but 1 shall hope to have a
little chat with you on an important
matter ere long. trust it may be at
n more convenient season. Goodby,
Mrs. Houston. Remember me to your
husband. Goodby, Mrs. Wallace
"Oh, Well gang to the gate thegith-
err" said Mrs. Wallace, with the utmost
cheerfulness. "Come AVA, Jess"
Miss Pcrk did not wait for second
goodby at the gate, but marched off
without delay.
Il wis feart she MIGHT slip back efter
1 wis await" said Mrs. Wallace, with
n chuckle.
"Ch, aunt" cried Jess, Il hope you
didn't offend her! shouldn't have left
her like that, but IL couldn't bear her
today, and I'm so thankful to you"
"IIavers, lass! Never you heed her.
She's jist bletlerin' buddy. Aft ye
gang an get yer mans tea ready. I'll
maybe see We the morn, when I'm quit
o. ma ludgers. Guid bye, ma dearie."
1t was II very detected husband that
came home that evening. Jess was in
the porch waiting for him, and at the
sight of him coming up the path from
the gate, without the mcrest glance at
the flower beds, all the hope in her
heart went out like flash.
He laid his hand for an instant on
her shoulder and walked past her into
the kitchen. She brushed away tear
and followed him.
"Your teas ready, Davie," she said
quickly.
ave. he returned indifferently
seating himself at the neatly arranged
table.
He made poor meal, but she made
a poorer.
"Have your smoke, Davie,' she said
when he had pushed away his plate.
He followed her suggestion in 81
lence, keeping his eyes lowered. In
decd, he had not faced her since his
return.
AT length Jess spoke. Would the!
not give you what you wanted, Da
viey' she asked softly.
"Jist that" he muttered.
"Poor lad! Did you see Mr.. Hardy
himself?'
David shook his head. ''rhe aud
man that ma fayther did business wi
is deid an gone. I'm thinkin' it wud
haze been different if he had been
there, Jess" he added sadly.
"And who did you see:"
1.-THE managin' director, l was tellt
but dinna mind his name"
"And lie wouldn't oblige you?"
mo wi n penny's worth, an had
to gle him a bill at three months fol
the accoont."
"a bill-at three months? Oh
Davie!"
I'VE may weel be ashamed o. yel
man, JESS" he groaned miserably.
"Ashamed! I'll never be that Die
you try any Of the other wood mer
chants!
II hadna the bert, Ye see, 1t was si'
Il lot O. wudd that was needit. The,
wud haze wantit cash or Il reference
onywey. I'll jist haze to fling up thu
Arden job. cudna ask fur money il
advance, though I've nae doot wut
get it, but l cudna dae't. I'm ral'
veXcd for We, ma lass"
"Oh, Davie! You're not to talk tina
way. Indeed, you're not to talk abou
it at all for little, and then we'll SCI
what's to be done. I'm quite sure YOU
won't Lave TO i.ns "! ~. .tr,.en job
You'll get Wood sor.c.:uH. Away GU
to tile garden till get the dishes wash
cdr
He obeyed silently, and his wife, neg
lecting the dishes, sat down in til,
armchair and thought hard. She hat
an idea, but she was afraid to mention
1t to him lest it Should prove unwork
able. But at last she made up hel
mind and followed him to the garden
where he was already interested IL
some OF his flowers.
"Davie," she began nervously, 81:
there anything special about this wool
you require? Would it do for anything
besides greenhousesf.
NO fur mony things. The wudt
wantit for Arden is Il special kind an
n special size. But what dae ye"-
Are there many big greenhouse.
about Fairport?'
ma; name ava. But
"Who is the Joiner at Fairport, Da
vie?"
Jamie Proudfoot."
"Do you know him?"
"Fine. He used to work fur ma fay
Their"
But are you and he quite friendly?'
what fur no? But, Jess
"But he was tryin' for the Ardel
job, wasn't he? That wasn't yer,
! friendly, surely.",
"Och, that was a. in the wey o
business. But what are We spicrin' for
JESSE"
Jess summoned all her courage
We'll, l was just wondering tiff yor
couldn't get the wood from Jamie
Proudfoot. He would trust you
wouldn't he?"
Pm shair he wud dae that, lass" sale
David sadly; ''but, ye see, he's mo- &
merchant: He hasna got the wudd ]
need"
"But he hasw criA she, n note O,