Sisseton Posten. [volume] (Effington, Sud Dakota [S.D.]) 1902-19??, 1911-03-09

homesick tonight"
Then let US 90 down and eat oun
supper in these things" suggested
Austin hastily. Don't be homesick.
Dorothy: please don't. or I shall be
tempted To weep on your shoulder and
throw up the chicken business alto
gether."
Dorothy paused before him. looking
very lovely In her ancient gafb. her
sweet eyes serious and thoughtful
"Austin Ely, tell me truthfuliy. did
you want TO so into the chicken bust
ness or are you merely doing II 10 pro-
vide home for mef"
Austin walked over and kissed her
face. I'm confess TO n weakness for
the city" he admitted sheepishly. II
wasn't cut out for farmer. Dorothy.
/ although do love to be with you all
/ day long here In the country. There is
something about the life and hustle Of
/ a., city that calls me. wish we
I might keep this for country home
I and live as we always have done. I'm
\ town during the winter"
Some day we WILL" encouraged
Dorothy. with her sweet smile. Let
Us go downstairs"
| All at once the great knocker on the
| front door was lifted three times and
q rcsounding racket echoed through
I the spnrsely furnished house.
"Who can that be1" gasped Dor.
othy as she drew near her husband.
"Some neighbor." he assured her as
he led the way down 20 the lower
/ floor. While Dorothy lighted the bay
berry candles and set the table for
supper Austin went 10 the door and
flung Il open.
There at the curb throbbed and pull
stated a monster touring car. In Il
were three shadowy forms. while a
fourth stood on the doorstep.
"Ho-the inn called the man on
the doorstep Justify. let US in. good
l people. and show US what you can do
by way OF entertainment"
"This IL not an Inn" said Austin
brusqueiy. "you will find very good
one at the end of this street"
"Nay. It's not So" corrected the
other "Many's the time ! have safe
here In the bar of the Blue Boar and
slipped my glass o. toddy. Come in.
boys: landlord says all are welcome
and that he win broIl chickens for us
Make haste. my man"
Austin planted his feet firmly in the
doorway. IT'S n cold night and you
are welcome To come In and have a
bite TO eat. but there won't he any
thing TO drink unless ] can find some
appleJack."
The four entered with noisy hilarity.
and II was plain 10 be seen that they
were all In state OF semi-intoxica-
ton. They were well dressed men. and
/ their faces were not unpleasing.
though more than one OF them showed
signs OF dissipation.
{ With the impression that the sooner
he served these unwelcome guests the
earlier he would be rid OF their doubt
ful companionship Austin beckoned
Dorothy into the kitchen and together
they concoctcd tray full OF refresh
ments that were mostly got from the
provision box. A large piece Of cheese.
large loaf Of Vienna bread. but
ter. cold boiled ham and pitcher
OF appleJack completed a repast that
brought forth cheer from the group
gathered before the dining room Gre.
/ suddenly they looked at Austin In
his festal garments OF drab velvet and
cherry satin. with gray silk hose and
| buckied shoes. and at Dorothy peeping
around the door gorgeous in blue bro
cade. with one accord they arose and
touched their glasses.
"It's George Washington and Mis-
tress Martha" gasped the spokesman.
''Your healths and long-long-er. you
know"
With bulging eyes the four drank
the toast. while Austin and Dorothy
laughed until they cried. At last they
returned TO the dining room. where a
curious sight met their gaze.
Standing In the middle OF the round
mahogany table. the spokesman Of the
party was calling for bids for its pur-
chase. "As pretty a-bit-of colonial
furniture-as ever your eyes lighted
on gentlemen. Who will start the
bidding on this table. the property Of
/ the immortal George-you. Freddy
What am I offered for this tableT'
"one dollar" said Freddy feebly.
Pooh. Who will give me more TO
cover this insult7 Cecil. you bloated
bondholder. beat IL up!"
/ Cecil solemnly entered his bid OF a
hundred dollars. and as II they had
been waiting for thlc amount. the four
proceeded 20 raise the value Of the ma
hogany table by hundreds until II was
knocked down TO the languid Freddy
for $1,000. From plcthoric roll he
/ peeled or the amount and tossed Il to
/ the table. and then. forgetting the In.
cident. he led solemn procession from
the house and into the waiting auto
mobile.
/ Dorothy and her husband stared nc
each other across the mahogany table.
"Oh. Austin-what does IL meani
I Were they drunkT" she asked.
AS lords" said Austin feelingly.
Tomorrow morning they will awake
without the slightest recollection of
what they have done tonight. I've got