The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-02-14

No, the schoolmistress was not an
heir. was not even relative of the
family. But she was-was interested
just the same. A friend of hers was
a relative and
what is your friend" inquired the
fnquisitor-"a man?"
There was no reason why Miss
Dawes should have changed color. but,
according to Debby's subsequent tes-
timony, she did; she blushed. so the
widow declares.
"No," she protested. "Oh. no! It's
she's a child, that's ala little girl
Mrs. Beasley remembered many
things, but nothing at all concerning
John Thayer's life in the west.
HE never wrote home but once or
twice afore he died." she said. land
when he did Emily. his wife. never |
told me what was in his letters. She
always burnt 'em, l guess. l used to
hunt around for 'em when she was
out, but she burnt 'em to spite me, l
caplate. Her and me didn't get along
any too we'll. She said | talked too
much to other folks about what was
none of their business. Now. anybody
that knows me knows that amt one
Of my failin's. l told her so; says
u
And so on for ten minutes. Then
Phoebe ventured to repeat the words
"out west" and her companion went
off on a new tack. She had just been
west herself She had been on visit
to her husbands niece, who lived IN
Arizona-in BlaZeton, Ariz. Its the
incest town ever you see" she contin-
ued, land the smartest, most up TO
date place. Talk about the west beln
oncivilized. My land. you ought to
see that town-electric lights and tel
ephones and-and-I don't know what
air
This was but the beginning. 1t was
evident that Mrs Beasley had thor
oughly enjoyed herself in Blazeton and
that the sorrows of the bereaved De-
sire Higgins had been one of the prin
! cipal sorrows of that enjoyment. The
schoolmistress endeavored to turn the
/ subject, but it was useless.
81 fetched home a whole pile of
! them newspapers" continued Debby
'They was awful interestin'; full of
pictures of Blazeton buildin's and
| leadin' folks and all. And in some of
the back numbers was the advertise
ment about Mr.. Higgins. | do wish
could show 'em to you, but | lent EN-
to Mrs. Atwood, up to the Center. If
'twan't such a ways I'd go and fetch
'em Mrs. Atwoods been awful nice
to me- She took care of my trunks and
things when went west-yes, and
afore that when l went to Bayport to
keep house for that miser'ble Cap'n
Whitaker amt told you about that,
but l will by and by. Them trunks
had lots of things in 'em that ] didn't
want to lose or have anybody see, My
diaries-I've kept diary since 1850
and
"Diaries?" interrupted Phoebe, grasp
ing at straws. Did you keep diary
while you were at the Thayers?"
''Yes Now. why didn't | think OF
that afore? More n likely there'd be
somethin' in that to help you with that
geographical tree. ! used to put down
everything that happened and Where
you goin'?"
Miss Dawes had risen and was peer
ing out of the window
II was looking to see if my driver
was anywhere about" she replied Il
thought perhaps he would drive over
to Mrs Atwood's and get the diary for
you But don't see him"
just then. from around the corner OF
the house. peeped an agitated face: an
agitated forefinger heckoned DebbA
stepped to the window beside her visi
tor and the face and finger went out
of sight as if pulled by ii string
Miss Phoebe smiled
Il think III go our and look foI
him." she said He must be neal
here I'll be right back Mrs ReaS
ley
Without stopping to put on her jack
ct she hurried through the dining
room. out of the door and around the
corner There she found Mr. Bangs
in highly nervous state.
why didn't you tell me twas Deb
by Beasley you was comm to see?'
he demanded IF you'd mentioned
that def images name you'd never
got me to drive you. | tell you that"
YES" answered the teacher sweet
ly. Il imagined that. That's why
didn't tell you. Mr. Bangs. Now
want you to do me favor Will you
drive over to Trumet Center and de
liver a note and get package for me-
Then you can come back here, and
shall be ready to start for home"
r 'Drive-drive nothin'! The black
I smiths out and won't be back for an
other hour. His boys there, but he'
big enough lunkhead to try balm
out dory with fork, and that bugg.
3 axle is bent so it's simply got to b.
fixed. I'd no more go home to Ketur.