The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-04-16
and Rod, in the same way, had grad.
ually learned to understand and sym.

and Rod, in the same way, had grad.
ually learned to understand and sym.
puthize.
Its dreadful lonesome on Town
House hill" said the boy in a hushed
tone.
dreadful lonesome echoed Ivory
with a sigh; and | don't dare leave
mother until her fever dies down a
bit and she sleeps. Now. do you re-
member the night that she was taken
i'll. and we shared the watch?"
Rodman held his breath. DO you
mean you're going to let me help just
as If l was big?" he asked. speaking
through a great lump in his throat.
There are only W. of It's. Rod
You're rather young for this piece of
work, but you're trusty you're
trustyw
"Am l to keep watch on the deacOn?"
That's it. and this is my plan: Nick
will have had his feed. You're to drive
to the bridge when it gets a little dark
shed. covering Nick well. You're TO go
into the brick store. and while you're
getting some groceries wrapped up,
listen to anything the men say. to see
If they know what's happened. When
you've hung about as long as you dare
leave your bundle and say you'll call
in again for it. Then see If Bakers
store is open. l don't believe it will
be. and if it isn't look for a light in
his kitchen window and prOwl about
till you know that Waitstill and the
deacon have gone up to their bed
rooms. Then go to Uncle Bart's ana
find out if Patty is there"
Rods eyes grew bigger AMI bigger
Shall l talk to herr" he asked. "and
whatll ! say?"
mo. just ask if she's there. If she's
gone Mark has made it right with his
family and taken her home. If SHE
hasn't why. God knows how that mat
ter will be Strengthened out. Anyhow
she has a husband nOw, and he seems
to value her, and Waitstill is alone on
the top of that wind swept HILL"
'Ill go. I'll remember everything
cried Rodman. In the seventh heaven
Of delight at the responsibilities Ivory
was heaping upon him.
Don't stay beyond 8 o'clock. but
come back and tell me everything
you've learned. Then. if mother grows
no worse. I'll walk back to Uncle
Bart's shop and spend the night there
just-just to be near that's ALL"
"YOu couldn't hear Waitstill. even il
she called" Rod said
"COuldn't |: n man'S ears are very
sharp under certain circumstances.
believe if Waitstill needed help l could
hear her breathe. Besides. | shall be
up and down the hill till | know all's
well. and at sunrise I'll go up and hide
behind some of RaXter's buildings till
| see him get his breakfast and go tC
the store. Now wash your dishes
And Ivory caught up his cap from
hook behind the door.
Are you going to the barn?" asked
Rodman.
NO. only down to the gate for 8
minute. Mark said that if he had a
good chance he'd send a boy with q
note and get him to put it under the
stone gate post. It's too soon to expect
it perhaps. but | can't seem to keeE
still"
Hodman tied a Bingham apron around
his waist. carried the teakettle to the
sink and poured the dishpan full OF
boiling water. then dipped the cups
and plates in and out. wiped them an6
replaced them on the table. gave the
bean platter a special polish and sci
the half mince pie and the butter dish
in the cellarway.
"A boy has to do most everything in
this family" he sighed to himself. 81
don't mind washing dishes, except the
nasty frying pan and the sticky bean
pot. but what I'm going to do tonight
is different"-he be glowed and tin
gled with anticipation-'l know wha,
they call it in the story books-it's
sentry duty. and that's drawer work
for a boy than dish washing"
Which. however. depends Il good
deal upon circumstances and somewhat
on the point of view.