Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-10-28

man Tdppeu loi SiiSHCe. Heu ne pro-
duced some folded papers from his
pocket and spread them out before
him on the table.
Gentlemen" he began, IT amt
goin at this in no formal way, because
it's rather a personal matter. l hev
sorted out the applications-and, tax
in all things into account. / find
no morn four out of the hull eighty
seven that air with talkin' over. Here
I've writ down sort o. history of
each applicant and with your permits
sion," he settled his formidable steel
bowed spectacles on his fat, red nose,
I'll read 'em out:
First: Abraham Ruffin; slim-built
man, fifty-eight years of age, resident
of this township. Says he's glass
blower by trade, but amt practiced
1t lately, preferrin' to live out o. doors
on account of weak lungs. Occupies
cabin in the West Woods and
What; old Hermit Abel" interrupt
ed Darius Foss, scornfully. why,
he amt got more'n one shirt to his
back, and I've alters suspicioned him
of havin' made off with a bang-up
shoat of mine that missed from my
upper-farm Can't you do no better'n
| that?"
The chairman did not reply. He
! turned up the suffering wick of the
| lamp beside him and went on
Second: Bella j. Belcher of Briar-
town, fieshy man, sixty-four years old,
occupation farmer. Says he's wild
| over and"
Now it was the Mortified excYama-
ton of the Hatch boys that interrupt
| ed. The twins spoke excitedly in
sort of fraternal antiphony. wild
| over! Claims he's a widower, does
| he? Why, that's scandalous! He
married a second cousin of mothers
forty years ago. From over Pomfret
way, she was! She couldn't stan
him. He had mean ways. Left him
back in 80. But she's alive and
fiourishin', Boardin' with her daugh-
| ter out near Dayton, Ohio!"
Alonzo LETTERS put down the paper.
He drew long breath and his manner
was severe.
1T don't seem possible to suit you
fellers and / amt more'n half done
yet. Jest you hold on till read the
next, and mebbe you'll think it's more
| promisin'.
Third: Oscar Oleson; Swede,
forty-seven years old. Resident of
L nd nf ha
Spanish war. At present he has no
occupation-but says his bank ac-
/ count"
This time the laughter of all his
listeners broke in. Darius Foss found
his voice first.
Bank account! That's an old joke!
Lord, it's too good Lon LETTERS,
amt you never heard about that?
Guess the Elder'd haze somethin' to
say, if he was here. Don't you re-
| member the story of the Swede who
| did him in that horse-trade. Guess
| he'd "a found bank account IL
there'd been one visible to the naked
eye-Oscar Oleson-Lord, it's too
good. Why, the Elder" Then as
the church clock outside tolled eight
Earring strokes, he broke off suddenly
by George! where is the Elder any
way?' he asked. He turned sudden
| ly at the sound of step on the plat
form outside. The others followed
his gaze. The door opened and then,
like response to an invocation, the
Elder stepped within. But such an
/ - l. l.
fastened on him wonderingly.
He wore his Sunday suit of black;
cuffs of shining whiteness concealed
his hands; his grizzled hair was part
ed down the middle; a brave lawn tie
encircled his ragged neck, and in the
buttonhole of his coat a flower
bloomed! He waved aside the Treas
urer's greeting and, closing the door,
stood with his hand on the knob
Mr. Chairman said he, "and gen.
tlemen" His voice had in it quality
new and strange-a gentleness that
was almost apologetic Gentlemen, |
dunno but some sort of explanation
is due from me. kinder feel under
handed, though it's all square, as Al
ONO here could tell you That fourth
application-I've heard your proceed
ms out there on the stairs-is mine,
made out legally and in due form. But
this evenin', seem that, as the poets
put it, there amt no time like the
present, why, the wilder and me-
not all at once, gentlemen. | guess /
do see things some different than did
three weeks ago-we concluded there
warn't no use to wait and so we
slipped down to the minister's and
was, so to speak, made one! Therell
be a little matter of business for us
to attend to bye and bye, gentlemen,
but now"-he stopped suddenly and
with conscious smile flung wide the
door.
The late widow Hawkins stood re-
vealed She glittered with bright
ness; she radiated color; she even
dffused a subtle fragrance of Cream
of Musk" soap!
The Elder took her tightly gloved
hand and led her into the room.