Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-28

VIII Norton, editor OF the queries
and Answers department Of The
Woman's Helper" was busy at his
desk.
Very few, not even all Of the EN-.
ployes, were aware who was the au.
thor OF the excellent advice given In
the Aunt Polly column Of the maya
zine. II was difficult TO become econ.
ciled TO the fast that this man, with
his round, jovial face, bore any rela-
ton whatever to the dainty little lady
with the motherly features, whose pic.
ture graced the top of the query and
answers department.
When the editor Of the magazine
first decided to establish this column
he was unable to find anyone to
take charge Of II. Finally, when al.
most desperate, he overheard the of,
fee boy say to a friend;
why don't you ask VIII Norton?
He knows everything.
Just what was wanted. Some one
who knew everything.
Norton was accordingly summoned
10 the Office from his desk as proof.
reader.
To-day the appeals for aid to the
wisdom Of Aunt Polly were exception.
ally numerous and after he had ad.
vised one girl OF sweet 16 to wait
a few years before worrying about
any lovers supposed faithlessness, had
given a prospective bridegroom a de-
scription of correct wearing apparel
for the happiest day Of his life, coun.
seled a distracted mother on the best
method of inducing an abundant
growth Of hair instead OF the scanty
locks on her darling's head-it was
right here that he became s~elf-con-
s%cious, as he remembered how much
he himself needed a prescription for
this very trou9le-he took up the next
letter and his eyes casually fell upon
the postmark.
Canton" the home of his childhood,
the scene OF his happy boyhood days!
Perfectly unmindful Of everything,
his memory wandered back to the
days Of long ago. He saw the grand,
old swaying trees which lined the road
on either side OF the broad drive
leading up to the low, comfortable
farm house. He could almost hear
the leaves rustic as the breeze swept
through them, the long branches lac
ing and interlacing. now gently bend.
ing toward, then again away from each
other There stood the old we'll at
one side, which according TO the neigh.
bors gave the best water for miles
around. He actually became thirsty
as he thought Of the dripping bucket
rising slowly out of its cool depths.
In the rear Of the house the orchard
becko3od him to enjoy cnce more the
luscious fruit whose flavor he had
never found equaled. Memory had not
blotted out one detail Of the picture,
and so vivid was his imagination that
be even seemed TO hear the bark of
his iayorite dog. who was tied to the
kennel close TO the gate of the vege.
table garden.
How well he remembered he scene
on The morning he left home more
than ten years ago, when he turned
back at the old gate for a last look
Inc apple trees were loaded with
blossoms, the rose bushes full OF
buds, Just showing a faint streak OF
color, a promise Of the glories to come
lie knew 1t because tucked away
among a bundle Of old letters he still
had one OF them, now faded and vel
low But he had no right to It nov
as he had then, when the dearest cir
In the world had given it to him a
parting, the girl for whom in formeI
years he had many a time robbed IN,
finest bush in the garden, and with hi
spells secretly entered the schoo
house aud placed them on her desk
But she knew the giver, Even nov
he saw her bury her face In their ros
depths, and her shining eyes peepin
siyly above their beauty as she IL
nailed the fragrance. telegraphed hir
a 0 of thanks that brought a thri.
OF pleasure TO his boyish heart an
repaid him a thousand fold.
But 1t was wrong Of him 10 think r
that now; after he left he was fol
gotten. Just when he thought Of r,
turning home TO claim her. after a
Her loving letters, too, he received th
announcement Of her marriage. Wei
OF course Nelson was rich; she chos
a life OF ease and luxury. But
tool years before his faith in huma
nature returned, and even now h
thoughts were almost bitter.
With a start he came back to II
present. He examined the lett,
from all sides, wondering, meanwbu
who could have need OF Aunt Polly
assistance in that far.away town.
almost fen from his hands when upr
opening IT, he saw the slgnatur
J. y.
Emily Nelson, could it be posslbl,