Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-06

load on level ground"
You'll have to get out and push
some of you" shouted the boy.
."'Twouid make Uncle Jerry sicker
than ever If we got hung up"
Casting aside whatever portion OF
dignity may have remained. the Ken
ton boys jumped out and sought to
relieve the oyerworked horses.
With an easier load and additional
power behind him, the boy again took
I'D the reins. He glanced confidently
up the hill as he started the horses.
For fully fifteen minutes he struggled
to fill Uncle Jerry's place; then came
the surrender.
tits no use," he groaned. We're
stuck"
This is a pretty motel" exclaimed
Marshall. What are we going to dor
The Kentons were slow to adjust
themselves to the situation. They
had almost forgotten that at best
country roads are very uncertain.
"You wait here" volunteered Dan.
lei, land I'll go to the village for
team"
mo" cried Alice, Tets all walk. It
isn't far up over the hill. Our bag
gage will come-sometime." And she
led the way out across the freshly
cut bayfield,
There was a fence to be scaled, and
then they were in the midst Of in.
Vulnerable woodland voices and tho
richly.blended fragrance Of the forest
Clambering up the steep, uneven road
way, they came to the sugarhouse in
the clearing. Yet another climb. and
the end was ir sight
There she is-just the same as
ever, bless her!" shouted Marshall.
nodding his head In silent approval.
Not much change, is there?"
breathed Ellen.
Father must be setting the pace"
observed James "Our house is the
only one that's decorated"
: It'll race you down the hill. Alice"
challenged Daniel.
: With q shout OF acceptance she
darted away, and the others followed
as best they could. They were all
troubled With a shortness Of BREATH.
that was another thing which the
years had brought. On arriving at
the orchard not one of them could
speak intelligibly.
Let me 90 and find them" painted
Ellen.
: She stole around the corner Of the
house. only to reaDpear again straight.
away.
They're ON the front porch waiting
for the STAGE" she whispered. Come
on. Well go in through the house
ali together
Quietly, they picked theiy way about
the familiar rooms-but not quietly
enough. Mrs. Kenton heard the muf-
fed click Of 9 latch. and turned to
,ook. Five smiling faces were peer.
ling at her from the doorway.
'Why-why--" she mumbled
Then the storm Of their greeting
burst forth.
Where did you come from" ques.
toned Mr.. Kelton. wondertngly, az
soon as be could make himself heard.
"Up through the woods-stage Is
stranded over at Harrington HILL"
babbled Alice. "How's the celebra-
tion7"
There. father you see,' moaned
Mrs. Kenton. II told you bow It
would be. Here they've all come, and
we've got to tell them. Oh, why did
We make up that story about the cello
brat,op3'
~You see your mother has been try.
ing to get some of you home this
good while" interceded Mr.. Kenton.
land we finally took rather question:
able way to bring It about. Yet there
vas 20 lie In It. We said IN the let
ter that there was going to be big
celebration If you decided to come
home-it wasn't necessary to add that
there wouldn't be any IL you didn't
come
you poor, dear. old mother, you'll"
exclaimed Ellen. II didn't care rap
about the celebration"
"Nor II" shouted the others In uni.
son.
Somehow, they got the old people
together and formed a ring about
them. Nor did they separate until
everyone In the ring had thrown out
q mo oarrinr word
~You won't have to go to all that
trouble next time" asserted James.
you'll have q visit from one Of us
every year after this" stated Ellen.
IT'S all arranged" declared Daniel.
rye talked It over on the way"
"That is what should have been
done before" ipterposed Alice
"And now" cried Marshall. we
are all going to have Just the biggest
kind Of q celebration"
- AL