The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-02-21
"Howdy Do, Anthony" He Said.

down and saw the draggled flower
thrust through the twist of grass "Oh,
pup of wonders!' he exclaimed.
Where did you get that rose?"
Chum sat up and wagged his tail, for
his masters tone, instead of ridicule,
held dawning delight. Perhaps the
thing had not been intended as a dis
grace, after all!
With the first sight of the decora-
lion Valiant had had sudden memory
IF - splotch of vivid red against the
celted gray-blue Of gown He
srlnned approximately. And warned
aer,' he chuckled Told her not to be
atraid!' He busted the blossom pains.
tallingly with his handkerchief and
! held it to- his face--a live brilliant
thing, breathing musk-odors of the
mid-moon OF paradise.
A long time he sat, while the dos
dozed and yawned on the shiny cush,
ION beside him. OF a sudden Chum S.
up and barked in earnest
Turning his head, his maste. saw az
preaching dilapidated hack win
side lanterns like great goggles ant
decrepit and palsied curtains. 1t was
drawn by lean luustardtinted mule.
and on its front sat colorcd man o.
uncertain age, whose hunched verte
brae and Outward-crooked arms gave
him curious expression of replete
and dubious inquiry. Abreast of the
car he removed moth-eaten cap
"Evenin, suh," he said,-"evenin',
evenin'."
"Howdy d." returned the other
amiably.
"Ah reck'n yo'-ll done had err brock
down wild dat machine-t thing dar. 70
been hyuh bout er hour, ain yo?"
Nearer three said Valiant cheer
fully, but the views worth it,"
A hoarse litter came from the con
veyance, which gave forth sundr,
creakings of leather. "Huyh! Hugh!
OATS SO, sub. OATS so! Hmm
Reckn Ah'll be gittin' erlong back
He clucked to the mule and proceeded
to turn the vehicle round.
Hold On" cried John Valiant. -
thought you were bound in the othc.
direction
q No, sub. Ah'm gwine back whah
come fom. All JUS druv out hyu,
case Miss Shirley done met me, el
she say, 'Unc' Jeffe'son, yo' go 'treckl,
out de Red Road, case er gemmar
done got stalled-ed'"
"Oh-Miss Shirley. She told you
did she? What did you say her ii i,
name was?"
Oats huh fust name, Miss Shirley
Vas, sub! Miss Shirley done said. e
me ter come EN- git de gemman whut
-whut kinder dawg is yo' got dar?"
Its bulldog. Can you give me .
lift? I've got that small trunk and"
Oats a right fine dawg. Miss Shi,.
ley she moghty fond oh dawgs, too"
Fond of dogs, is she?" said Valiant.
Il might have known it. 1t was nice
Of her to send you here, Uncle JeEc9.
son. You can take me and my traps,
suppose?"
Pens on whah yo' gwineter," ar.
swered Uncle Jefferson sapiently.
I'm going to Damory Court"
A kind Of shocked surprise that was
almost stupefaction spread over the
others face. like oil over a pool.
Danny Coot! OATS de old Valian.
place. Ain nobody lives dar Alb
reck'n ain nobody live dar fer mos Ell
hun'erd yeahs!"
THE old house has great surprise
coming to it," said Valiant gravely
"Henceforth some one is going to &C.
cupy it. How is it anyway"
"Measurin' by de coonskin en- th'ow.
in in de tail, cts erbout two mile
Ain gwineter live dar yo'se'f, sub, is
yo'?"
Il am for the present." was the
crisp answer.
Uncle Jefferson stared at him a me
ment with his mouth open. Then ejac