The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-07-07
CHAPTER ix.-concIuded.


In few minutes she appeared at
the door with the soap-boxers in her
arms and announced herself as ready.
Ethel Maud had picked up Blossom,
and Luella had darted across the
street for young Jim, and so skillful
was the extraction of the sleeper from
his cradle that he had never even
opened his eyes, and it seemed likely
that he was to have the adventure of
his life In state of Inconsistencies
With great flourish of manner
their beaming friend seated, Miss Sc
lima Lue in the tonneau, and under her
direction and with the assistance Of
the meek young man. he packed the
children In around her
Let's see, l. can hold both the
Flarities In my lap, and prop Glenn
mie and Pattie in on this offside," she
directed, with an eye both to comfort
and security. "Luella can set on the
seat by me and hold young Jim in her
lap. No, Bonnie, can't let you hang
on behind; you and Sammie set on
this little side seat and Ella Virginia
and Ethel Maud on that one. Ether
Maud, you take Blossom in your lap
and help one of the others by the
sleeve to stand up in front Of you.
Everybody else I'LL In the cracks
where they can! Now, we are all
ready, mister, and you can let him go
as soon as you are mind to. shure
do feel safe with you up in front and
the young man looking SO careful like.
I have jest got confidence in his back,
even
Miss Selma Lue's merry eyes were
dancing with excitement and the wide
garden hat that Miss Cynthia had
trimmed with purple lilacs was set at
rather adventurous angle over her
soft hair, which was flying tiny gray
curls in every direction.
Lands alive! won't all the folks
over TO the landing be surprised II
they come back and find us gone ?"
she exclaimed. All her neighbors had
aauntered over the Bluff to take din
ner pals to the men passing on the
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
sottermobile" family had one carried
j such a load Of jubilant, seething Joy
as was packed In that very fashion
able member. As 1t whizzed and spun
up the river road all the passengers
sQuealed with delight, and as they
coasted 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 a frenzy of de.
light. At the top Of the far hill they
slowed up. for their host was impress
ed by the sweeping river view and he
turned to point it out to Miss Selma
Lue.
Yes, indeed. it looks like there
never was SIGH a view of the whole
world laid out before you anywhere
else. ! 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 never ex-
pected to see in this life. ! am glad
always laid 1t out in my mind as
beautiful as I could, fer / woulder
been ashamed If l had gone and made
little of it to myself because I hadn't
ever seen Il. and maybe never would,
Things always measure up to what
YOU expect-and it's 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