Mexico Missouri message., 1906-07-12


With him ''wssty" meant that you
were as gOod Is anyone else "Rnd q
shade better than q whole lot II It
came to a showdown" He was not
little mortified to and how easy Il
was for him to fall back upon that old
cushion OF provincial arrogance. It
was all right for Uncle Peter, but for
himself-well, it proved that he was
less finely eastern than he had imag-
lined.
AS the cage came down for another
ascent, he let the two solemn young
men go up with Shepler and Pangburn.
and went to search for Uncle Peter.
"There, thank God,-is mani" he
reflected.
He found Uncle Peter In the cross
cut. studying bit OF ore through a
glass, and they went back to ascend.
"Them folks" said the old man,
must be the kind that newspaper
meant that had done something in
practical achievement. bet that girls
mother will achieve something prac-
tical with you fur cuttin' the girl out
of the bunch; she was awful torment
ed; talked two or three times about
the people in the humber walks Of life
bein' strangely something OF other.
You amt such humble walker now,
are you, son? But say, that yellow
haired woman, she amt bit difident,
is she? She's very hearty lady, I
must say!"
"But- did you see Miss Milbrey?"
ooh, that's her name, is 1t, the one
that her mother was 80 worried about
and you? Yes, l saw her. Peart and
cunnin', but heap too wise fur you,
son; take my steer on that. Say, she'd
have your pelt nailed to the barn while
you was wonderin' which way you'd
jump"
"oh, know I'm only tender, teeth
ing infant" the young man answered,
with mastery satire.
At the surface a pleasant shock was
in store for him. There stood the for
midable Mrs. Mllbrey beaming upon
him. Behind her was Mr.. Milbrey,
the pleasing model Of all a city's re-
hnements, awaiting the boon of hand
clasp. Behind these were the uncom-
Portable little man, the chatty blonde
and the two solemn young men who
had lately exhibited more manner than
manners. Percival felt they we're all
regarding him now with affectionate
concern. They pressed forward effu-
sively.
$50 good Of you, Mr.. Bines, to take
an interest in us-my daughter has
been so anxious to see one Of these
fascinating Mines" lawfully obliged,
IMr. Bines." Charmed, old man;
deuced pslly of you to stay by us down
in that hole, you know" 80 clever OF
you to know where to find the gold
He lost track of the speakers. Their
speeches became one concerted effusioE
of affability that was music to his ears.
/ Miss Milbrey was apart from the
group. Having doffed the waterproofs
she was now pluming herself with
those fussy-looking but Inysteriously
potent little pats which restore the at
tire and mind of women to their nor
NAL perfection and serenity. Upon heI
face was still the amused look Percival
had noted below.
"And, Mr.. Bines, do come in with
that quaint old grandfather Of your
and lunch with us" urged Mrs. Mil
brey, who had, as it were, spiked hel
lorgnon. Here's Mr.. Shepler to sec
ond the invitation-and then we shall
chat about this very interesting west.
Miss Milbrey nodded encouragement
seeming to chuckle inwardly.
In the spacious dining compartment
of the shepler car the party was pres
emily at lunch.
"You seem so little like a western
man." Mrs. Milbrey confided gracious
ly to Percival on her right.
I'VE cal'late he'll fetch out al
: straight, though, in a year or SO" pu
in Uncle Peter, from over his chnI
with guileless intent to defend hi
, grandson from what he believed to b
, an attack. "of course young man
J bound to get some foolishness int
him in an eastern college like this bo
) went to-"
Percival had flushed at the compli
ment to himself; also at the old man
failure to Identity 1t as such.
'Your grandfather is SO dear an
9 quaint, said Mrs! Milbrey; you mus
! certainly bring him to New York wit
. you, for Of course young man of you
a capacity and graces win never be sal
/ isfied out OF New York"
. young men like yourself are a.
: lsured1y needed there" remarked MI
> Milbrey, warmly
9 surely they are" agreed Miss Mi
g brey, and yet with manner ths
e seemed almost to annoy both parent
s They were sparlRg no opportunity
e make the young man conscious Of h
7 real oneness with those about him, an
e yet subtly to intimate that people {
Just the Milbreys' perception were r.
t quired to divine it at present.
j 'These westerners faAcy you one (
: themselves, dare say Mrs Mllbre