Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-24

noon boat, and SO were in ignorance
Of the expedition on which their vari.
GUS families were about to embark.
Perhaps never In the history of the
"ottermobile" family had one carried
such load Of jubilant, seething Joy
as was packed in that very fashion.
able member. As it whizzed and spun
up the river road all the passengers
squealed with delight, and as they
coastcd down the other side of the hill
they rose to their feet as one child.
They danced and yelled. waved what.
ever head-covering was possessed by
one or two Of them and stepped on
one another's toes in frenzy of de.
light. At the top of the far hill they
slowed up, for their host was Impress
cd by the sweeping river view and he
turned to point 1t out to Miss Selma
Lue.
Yes, indeed. it looks like there
never was SIGH view of the whole
world laid out before you anywhere
else. I have set ON the grocery steps
and watched the top of this hill In
winter and in summer, sun-up and
shutdown, In storm and clearing. and
all the time a-wondering what was
here on the other side that I never ex-
pected to see in this life. l am glad
l always laid 1t out in my mind a.
beautiful a. l could. fer l woulder
been ashamed II had gone and made
little Of It to myself because I hadn't
ever seen 1t, and maybe never would.
Things always measure up to what
you expect-aud its the same with
people, too; a-looking fer saints you
are mighty apt not to run on sinners.
Now. Sammie, Bonnie, all Of you stop
climbing out! S'pose he was to start
OF all Of sudden?"
Miss Selma Lue was busily en-
gagged in settling the squirmers - the
machine swept slowly around and
started down the hill. A far. faint cry
reached her ears, and she turned sud
denly.
Lands alive. Mister" she called,
we've done spilled Ethel Maud. with
all that climbing around! II We was
a-taking . ride ON tho golden streets.
that child woulder fell out into the
set Of glass. Please turn around and
pick her up" Some distance back
bunch Of blue calico sat in the road
and lifted up voice Of lanentation.
How over did you happen to fall
out, honey?" said Miss Selma Lue. %
she squeezed up Ella Virginia and
started to tuck the stray down beside
her.
Il didn't fall! I climbed climbed
to get the gentleman . hower-and
now it's done broke!" she sobbed. 40
flower.
Upon my word. that's . sweet little
girl to get q posy for an old man-
d'you hear?-a sweet little girl! Como
over here and sit BY me and I'll hold
you in, and the baby. too" And 10 -
the big red machine pulled down the
street to the grocery. Ethel Maud and
Blossom rode on the bOx-seat 90 it
were.
And the moment they came T. .
standstill they were surrounded by
the mothers Of the Joyous youngsters
and babble onsuod that was con-
fusion COMPOUNDED.
Mrs. Kinney clasped her wrigglinG
offspring as they were handed down
to her in turn, and with each she man
aged a Thank you. SIR" that sounded
as If they had been returned from
the grave to her maternal bosom
With the last in her arms she turned
and said: Miss Seliny Lue, thank
you fer this sharpening to 'em what
they won't never forgit. They amt Q
mother or child on this Bluff % could
git along without you single day"
Mrs. Dobbs affirmed the remarks q
Mrs. Kinney heartily. but she was
overcome with q shyness two hundred
and ten pounds in weight. 30 could
only nod Her pride In the exalted
position of Ethel Maud was over
whelming. but she lifted down Kin
neys and Tynes with impartial do
light. Miss Selma Lue." she said.
"le'me hold Clemmie fer you. Do
wish her mother coulder seen yoa
drive up. You don't know how moth
CT feels when she sees her children IN
rich and stylish company"
At last there were left only Ethel
Maud and Blossom TO descend. and
the old gentleman took the baby while
the child slowly climbed down. ~
sisted by her mother and Bonnie.
my, my!" exclaimed Miss Selma
Lus. Looks like when you git EN-
all together this Bluff is rich in chill
dren. Who's going to take Blossomf
Everybody have got . armful and
more" And she was Just about to de-
posit Carrots on the steps when she
exclaimed: Lands alive. II here amt
Miss Cynthie in the nick Of time!
Give Blossom to her please, mister"
And 80 it was into q pair Of very
lovely arms that the old gentlenaA
lowered the gurgly baby. and he had
q look into beautiful and very deep
blue eyes; and with the look some
thing welled up and overlooked cor
tain arid and aggravated area in HE
large old heart, and In the twinkling
Of his keen. dark eyes the waters Of
forgiveness had made It to bloom with
its accustomed flowers Of good cheer,
generosity. and the starbloom AZ
peace. His journey for tho purpose of
incriminations became one Of discov-
cry of treasures long possessed but
unacknowledged-a others to -
possessed.
It was at this suspicious moment,
NO tho mothers were all ahrorhAA n