Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-22

most through clinched teeth, and had
returned to his room in the Boston
boarding house with the conviction
that it was an utter failure. Captain
Elkanah and the gracious Miss Anna
bel, his daughter, had been kind
enough to express qualification, and
their praise alone saved him from de-
spair Then, to his amazement, the
call had come. OF casual conversa-
ton at the church and about the Dan
iels table he could recall nothing. So
there was another religious organiza.
ton in town and that made up of
seceders from his own church. He
was surprised
"Er-this Miss Van Horne?s he
asked. "Is she a-Come- Outer?"
Mrs Coffin nodded.
eyes," she said She's one. Couldn't
be anything else and live with her
Uncle Eben, as she calls him."
HAS Captain Hammond no children
Of his own?" he asked
Keziah's answer was short for her.
EYES," she said "One."
An! dnOCler Qau&nter!
mo, son. Names Nathaniel, and
he's sea captain. He's on his way
from Surinam to New York now. They
expect him to make port most any
time, / believe. Now. Mr.. Ellery,
s'pose we've got to arrange for your
supper and stayin' overnight; and
with this house the way tits and all,
[ don't see"
II guess" she said. that the best
thing for you to do will be to go to
Cap'n Elkanah's. They'll be real glad
to see you, l know, and you'll be in
time for supper, for Elkanah and An.
mabel have been to Denbro and they'll
be late home. They can keep you
overnight, too, for it's a big house
with lots of rooms. Then, after break
fast tomorrow you come right here
I'll have things somewhere near ship.
shape by then, I guess, though the
cleaninll have to be mainly lick and
promise until l can really get at It.
Your trunk'll be here on the coach,
s'pose, and that'll be through early
in the afternoon Get on your hat
and coat and I'll go with you to Ell.
kanah's"
The young man demurred little at
thrusting himself upon the hospitality
Of the Daniels home, but Keziah as
sured him that his unexpected coming
would cause no trouble. So he en-.
tered the now dark study and came
out wearing his coat and carrying his
hat and yalise In his hand
I'm sure I'm ever so much obliged
TO you" he said. "And, as we are 60
Ing to be more or less together-or
at least guess as much from what
you say-would you mind If I suggest
a mutual introduction. Pm John Ell
lery; you know that already. And
you"
Keziah stopped short on her way to
the door.
We'll, declared" she exclaimed. "If
that amt the very worst! Fact is.
you dropped in SO ahead Of time and
in such irregular sort Of way, that
I never once thought of introducin'
anybody; and I'm sure Grace didn't.
I'm Keziah Coffin, and Cap'n Elkanah
and signed articles. 80 to speak. this
mornin', and I'm goin' to keep house
for you"
She explained the reason upsettinx
the for:ser arrangement by which Lu.
rama Phelps was to have had the po-
sition.
At the Daniels door Keziah turned
her new charge over to Matilda Snow.
the hired girl. It was an indication Of
the family's social position that they
kept "hired help" This was unusual
In Trumet In those days, even among
the we'll to do.
Good night" said the young man.
extending his hand. Good night, Miss
-or Is 1t Mrs.-Cofin?" .fA
Mrs. Good night"
"she's q widow" explained Matilda.
Husband died 'sore she come back
here to live. Guess he didn't amount
to much; she never mentions his
name"
Keziah, in the midst of her labors,
found time to coach her employer and
companion in Trumet ways, and par.
ticularly in the ways which Trumet
expected it's clergymen to travel. On
the morning following his first night
In the parsonage. he expressed him.
self as feeling the need Of exercise.
He thought he should take walk.
well" said his housekeeper from
her station opposite him at the break
fast table, IF was you I wouldn't
take too long one. You'd better be
back here by ten. anyhow. Where
was you thinkin' of goin'?"
Mr.. Ellery had no particular desti-
nation in mind. He would like to see
something of the village and, perhaps,
If she could give him the names of a
few of his parishioners. he might
make few calls. Keziah shook her
head.