The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-02
FAR FROM THE MADD:.ti CROWD.

tied down n the pillowed depths Of a
wicker veranda chair.
Mary" he addressed his wife, short
ly, have an i6ea!'
Mrs. HARRISON glanced up from her
embroidery hoop. "Yes?" she inquired,
calmly.
Il haven't had a vacation for ten
years-and I'm going to take one to-
morrow" He spoke with determined
air.
Els wife gasped. But the Lathrop
DEAL" she reminded him, you'll lose
it if you leave town. Where were you
thinking of going?"
MT HARRISON coughed. Mary" he
said, impressively, you and the girls
are always having vacations-and I'm
going for one if lose every cent I've
got.'
John" his wife rebuked.
81 am" he continued, recklessly.
I'm going down to Wellsford (the
town / was born in) and I'm going to
take you and the girls along"
will you 60 in the automobile?"
she ventured.
MOI" was the laundering response,
well take the train like any other
person would
Mrs. Harbison's lips closed tightly.
Every we'll, John Harbison," she
snapped, well 60. But tell you right
now it's the biggest piece of nonsense
l ever heard Of" And with toss OF
her head she swept into the house.
For the first time in four years, the
HARRISON family bre2!Irasted together.
John HARRISON presided at the head
Of the table and his smiling counte-
nance lc9kea Ike that Of schoolboy
out for a holiday. Mrs Har5lso9 at
the ether end of the table assumed the
airs of the S .}hinx; Marthea, the elder
daughter, perused, in silence, the
mornings mail; while her sister Helen
jabbed su,k'ly at the strawberries.
Breakfast, however, was but matter
of minutes, and 9 o'clock found the
HARRISON family at the station.
There's Bob S-.1derson," announced
Helen, almost joyfully, he'll be de-
LIGHTED to have me sit with him." And
sreedily she deserted the family. Mrs.
HARRISON andMarthea straightway pro-
ceeded to discuss dressmakers in gen.
eral, and after a few unsuccessful at
tempts to enter into the conversation,
John HARRISON betook himself to the
smoking car. Not until the station
had been called did he return, and
then it was in company with farmer
in a rusty black suit, whom he intro
duced as Bud Misner, his old friend
Mrs. Harbison's acknowledgment
was frigidly chilling; that of Marthea's
courteous, but distant; while Helen
and her companion were utterly in
different.
When they aligh,ed from the train
it was Marthea who spoke first.
Mother and l will go over to the
hotel and you and Mr.. Misner may
roam about to your hearts content
mo you WON'T said her father with
sudden asperity, 1--WE are all going
over to Buds farm. His teams waiting
ever there"
But" began Helen.
Have your friend Mr.-Mr.-Sand-
stone come along" interrupted Mr..
N.gIer.
Helen giggled, but seemed satisfied.
After a shcrt delay the family were
se.ted in the farm wagon and they
ctor;eJ On their Way
It was lcte spring, and the fruit
trees were still in blossom; every
wLe!e, as far as the eye could see,
VS. . prof-sion Of fcWe"s. Gradually
MS. Harbicon and MG-thea relaxed
arl were socn chatting comfortably
with Mr.. Misner.
Mrs. Misner was at the door when
they drove in, and although she was
ret expect;n~ company, she gave them
a hearty WI ! !me.
Mother" said Bud Misner, by way
of explanation, this is Johnny Harbi-
son and his family"
We'll, declare" said Mrs. Misner,
heartily. Come right in all OF YOU
She turneu with a smile to Mrs. Harbl-
son. do you know" she said. i've
ALWAYS been anxious to see you Why,
when you were married, your husband
wrote letter to Bud-and all he says
was-'Married today, and my wifes
as pretty as a little red wagon And
he aint' exaggerated none either" she
finished admiringly. And Mrs. Harbi'
con u,ac her friend for life.
AS they were talking a tall, we'll
built young man came up the path.
Land sakes," exclaimed Mrs. Misner,
there's our boarder, the civil engineer
that's buildin' the new railroad. 1t
must be time for dinner. Bud, intro
duce him to the people" And with
a few hasty apologies she left them.
But Dave Chambers, the engineer,
needed no introductions, as 1t turned
out-for he was an old admirer OF
Marthea's and was welcomed gladly
by that young lady and her family.
AS fate would have it, because OF some
late reports, he was free for the after
noon.
After the hearty noon dinner the
four young people betook themselves
for a walk, Mrs. HARRISON and Mrs.
Misner read and sewed in the grape
vineyard, and the two old friends
drove over to see the village. And thus
the entire afternoon was whiled away.