The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-12-15

body here to pick Up them shooting
kernels" he complained.
In q little while, with fat footed
stamping, Ben Holders came in. When
he had the pattern number. by labor
ious copying against the wall under the
bracket lamp. Matthew said to him:'
Going to get boy to work out, are
your ..,.v .s...s.#..
Holders laughed and shifted.
Hes going to work by and BY" he
said. 1--WE allow to have him to our
selves a spell first"
Keep him around the house till
springT
"More," said Holders. you see," he
added, its like this with Instantly
all gone, all married and got their own.
We figured to get hold Of a little shaver
and have some comfort with him be-
fore he goes to work for life.'
Adopt himY said Matthew Gu
riously. y
That's pretty near it." Holders ad-
mitted. "We've got one spoke for at
the City Orphan asylum"
Ellen Bourne turned. "How oldr
she asked.
Around fve-six, we figure" Hell
-ders said it almost sheepishly.
Ellen stood fading the men, with the
white festoons Of popcorn In her
hands. ....
Matthew" she said, "lst him bring
us one."
Matthew stared. you mean bring
US a boy?" he asked. .
81 don't care which-girl or boy.
Anything young" Ellen said.
Good Lord, Ellen" Matthew said,
with high eyebrows, "ain't you got
your hands full enough nowT
Ellen Bourne lifted her hands slight
ly and let them fall. NO." she an
swered.
The older woman looked at her
daughter, and now first she was solic-
itous as q mother.
"Ellen," she said, you have. too, got
your hands full. You're wore out all
the time"
.That's it." Ellen said, "and I'm not
wore out with the things want to
do"
Hey, king and country the old
man cried, upsetting the pepper.
Don't get child around here under
foot. I'm too old. l deserve grown
folks. My head hurts me- H..
Matthew" said Ellen to her hus-
band, "let Holders bring us one. To-
morrow-f0r Christmas, Matp'
Matthew looked slowly from side to
side. 1t seemed incredible that SO
large a decision should lie with man
so Intellectual.
Seems like we'd ought to think
about it awhile flrst," he said weakly.
Think about it," said Ellen. when
haven't I thought about it? When
have I thought about anything else
but him we haven't got any more?',
Ellen" the mother mourned, you
don't know what you're taking on
yourself ~.
Hush, mother" Ellen said gently.
"You don't know what it is. You had
me-" -.... go
She faced Holders. Twill you bring
two when you come back tomorrow
night?" she said. "And one of them
for us?'
Holders looked sidewise at Matthew.
who was fumbling at his pipe.
wouldn't you want to see 1t first.
nowT Holders temporized. "And a
girl or boy, now"
mo, I wouldn't want to see it first.
l couldn't bear to choose. One healthy,
from healthy parents, and either girl
or boy" Ellen said and stopped. ''The
incest tree thing I've made is for
boy" she owned. Its a paper soldier.
I made these things for fun" she add.
ed to Holders.
For the first time Holders observed
the tree. Then he looked in the wom-
ans face. "I'n fetch out boy for
you If you say So" he said.
'Then do" she bade.
When the four were alone again
Mat sat looking at the floor. Every
headlong thing I've ever done I've
gone headlong over" he said gloomily.
Ellen took a coin from the clock
shelf. when Ben goes past tomor-
row." she merely said, you'll likely
see him. Have him get some little
candles for the tree"
my head hurts me-" the old man
gave out. This amt the place for a
great noisy boy"
Ellen put her hand on his shoulder
almost materially,
"See, DEAR" she said. then you'd be
grandfather"
"Hey?" he said mot II it was
adopted, 1 wouldn't"
"Why. Of course. That would make
it ours-and yours. See," she cried.
you've been stringing popcorn for It
already. and you didn't know
BE grandfather. would r. said the
old man. would I? Hey, king and
country! Grandfather again.
Ellen was moving about the kitchen
lightly with that manner which eager
interest brings, of leaving only half
footprints.
"Come on, mother" she said; I'VE
must get the popcorn strung for sure.
noww
The mother looked up at the tree.
Seems as IT," she said, wrinkling her
Il