Mexico Missouri message., 1908-02-27

now and then q barnyard monarch's
defiant crow. from farther away came
the rippliag sound OF running water.
and as she lay and listened to the
medley, n robin lit on the treetop not
ten feet away and chirped as he peered
into her window. A scent OF lavender
mingled with apple blossoms became
noticeable; then the few and very old.
fashioned fittings OF the room.--a chest
of drawers with little brass handles.
over II n narrow mirror with gilt
| frame, two wood.seated chairs painted
blue, and white muslin curtains draped
away from the window.
And now. conscious that she was In
some strange place. back in an instant
came the three days OF her long,
weary tramp, the nights when she had
slept In a sheep barn and In a deserted
dwelling. and at last, faint. footsore.
and almost hopeless. she had been res.
cued from another night with only the
sky for a roof.
Then the quaint old man, so much
like Old Cy. whom she had accosted.
the rafting. humping ride down into
this valley, and the halt where a
CHEEKY light beamed It's welcome and
motherly woman made II real
1t was all so unexpected. so satisfy.
ing. so protective Of herself that Chip
could hardly realize how It had come
about.
No questions had been asked OF her
here. These two quaint old people
had taken her as she was-dusty, dirty
and travel.worn. She had bathed and
been helped TO an ample meal and
shown TO this sweet.smelling room as
II she had been their own daughter.
They must be awful kind sort o.
people" Chip thought. and then creep.
ing out OF bed she dressed. and taking
her stockings and sadly worn shoes in
hand softly descended the stairs.
No one seemed astir anywhere. The
ticking OF a tall clock in the sitting.
room was the only sound, the back
door was wide open, and out OF this
Chip passed. and seating herself on
a bench, began putting on stockings
and shoes. This was scarce done ere
she heard a step and saw the old man
| NAAA'A ~ AA'lAl AllN adllAf hDbls
Wal, Pattycake, how air ye?" he
asked. smiling. Il heerd we creepin'
downstairs like n mouse, but was Up.
n bout dressed. Hope ye slept we'll.
It's Sunday" he added. without wait.
ing for a reply, an we don't git up
quite so arly ez usual. Ye can help
Mandy bout breakfast now, II ye like,
n I'll do the milkin'"
And this marked the entry OF Chip
into the new home, and outlined her
duties No more questions were
asked of her She was taken at her
own valuation needy girl. willing
to work for her board, insisting on II.
and yet, In few days. so hospitable
were these people and so wInsome was
Chip. that she stepped into their at.
lection, as it were. almost without
effort.
Il don't think we best quiz her
much" Uncle Jud (as he was known)
said TO his wife that first night. 81
found her on the top o Bangall hill
where she riz up like a ghost. She
lowed she run away from somewhat
but where twas. she didn't want "a
tell. My 'pinion is thars a love 'faiT
at the bottom ont all; but whether It's
so or not. II amt none O. our business
She needs a home. sartin sure. She
says she means to arm her keep. which
is the right sperit. an long as she
minds us. she kin have IT,"
That Chip ARMED her keep" and
something more was soon evinced. fol-
In two weeks II was Aunt Mandy
and Uncle Jud" from her, and Patty
or "Pattycake." the nickname given
her that first morning from them
More than that, so rapidly had she
won her way here that by now Uncle
Jud had visited the Riggsville store
some four miles down this valley. and
materials for two dresses, new shoes
a broad sun hat. and other much.need
ed clothing were bought for Chip.
Neither was It all one-sided. fol
these people, well.to-do in their iso
lated home. were also quite alone
Their two boys had grown up, gone
away and married. and had homes o
their own, and the company OF {
bright and winsome girl like Chip wa'
needed in this home.
Her adoption and acceptance OF Il
we're like a small stream flowing int
u larger one. for the reason that thes'
/, people were almost primitive in loca
. ton and custom.
, We don't go to meetin' Sundays.
Uncle Jud had explained that first day
+. after breakfast. We're sorter heath
en-. s'pose; but then ag'in. thar ain
no chance. Thar used TO be meetin'i
= down to the Corners, n parson; bu
he only got four hundred year. an
|, hard work to collect that, n so he gir
= the Job up. Since then the meetin'
: house has kinder gone TO pieces. n
the Corner folks use II now for STORM
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