The Ordway new era., 1911-05-19
CHAPTER Ix.-contlnusd.

A beetle-browed, fierce white-whis-
kered old gentleman sat In the ton.
neau and berated in a mcst astonish-
ing way a very meek young chauffeur.
Now. you'll have to walk back to
the garage and get one and leave me
here to burn up in this unmitigated
sun. you numskull-d'you hear?-
numskull!"
The meek young man answered
meekly. but not at all as II terrified.
for there was something comic in the
old gentleman's rage and there was
q twinkle under the bushy eyebrows.
Nov, don't be bothered. mister"
said Miss Selma Lue from the gro
cery steps. where she stood sur.
rounded by all the small fry on the
Blun, none Of whom had ever before
had the opportunity Of such a close
acquaintance with the mysterious ami.
NAL known as the "ottermobile." THE
young man can go In on the next car
and be back In no time with the
monkey-wrench or whatever you need
to fx 1t with. And you come right
in and set here in the shade Of the
blackberry where you can git the river
breeze. Bennie. set out the big chair.
and. Ethel Maud. you and Luella run
to the we'll and draw a bucket Of fresh
water and hand some in that new
gourd hanging by my door. Just come
over here and be comfortable mister:
I will admire to have you"
Miss Selma Lue's bustling. hospit.
able enthusiasm had the old gentle.
man out OF the machine and seated by
the grocery door before he knew It
himself.
upon my word. madam this is
pleasant after the hot sum-" he said in
booming voice. very pleasant
d'you hear?-very pleasant" and his
brows drew up in an arch Of amuse
ment as Ethel Maud and Luella pre-
sented themselves before him with
dripping gourd held in two pairs Of
small hands. for not for worlds would
either of them have relinquished a
part In the presentation of the cool
ing draft.
MY. my. what a nice pair OF little
girls we have here! A very interest
Ing family. all OF them-d'you hear?-
very interesting family-and large
-eh?"
Lands alive. mister. this is all the
children on the Bluff: they don't none
of 'em belong to me-" said Miss Selma
Lue. as she took the gourd from him
and began to water the children one
ut a time. according to size.
Nov. that's too bad. madam
d'you hear?-too bad. Such fine
lot! But. bless my soul, think you
are lucky not to own n single one!
1--we got the most outrageous pig
headed child myself and well.
Just can't express myself about him:
outrageous pig-head-d'you hear?-
outrageous pig-head!"
my, now. amt that a PITY" said
Miss Selma Lue sympathetically.
Did the poor boy take to drink"
Drink? No. madam. he did not!
He's everything gentleman ought to
be. and more. the pig-head-d'you
hear?-the pig-head!"
Couldn't you do nothing with
him?" asked Miss Selma Lue with
interest. You have to make allow
anccs fer young men-folks: looks like
Jest they youngness goes to they
heads. Where did he break out?"
Miss Selma Lue seated herself on the
step beside his chair, keeping watch
full eye on the children. who stood as
close as possible to the red marvel
and discussed its wonders in the
highest-pitched voices at their COM
mand. AS usual. her sympathetic
and interested way had its effect Of
iiresistibly inviting confidence.
I'm a most unexpected-pig.hea