Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-12-07

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Tne momentary depression was re-
neved by the station-master who sud-
denly appeared at the door Of the Ark
and called out:
''Here comes Hepsey Burke. Maybe
she'll take you up; thatrl DO dunn
sight more comfortable than Lpkin's
bus"
There was nothing to be seen but
= cloud of dust. advancing with the
rapidity of whirlwind along the
highway, from which there gradually
emerged q team and a democrat" !"
containing woman, boy about four
teen, and middle aged man
AS the turnout drew UP, the man
took the reins from Mrs. Burke, who
Jumped out Of the wagon with remark
able agility for one of her size and
years, and nodding to the station-mas.
ter, came on to the platform.
Hepsey Burke was rather stout; AMI
the lines from her nose to the cor
ners OF her mouth, and the wisps of
gray hair which had blown about her
face, indicated that she had passed
the meridian Of life. At first glance
there was nothing striking about her
appearance; but there was a subtle
expression about the mouth a twin.
kle about the large gray eyes behind
the glasses she wore, that indicated
a sense of humor which had probably
been a God-send to her. She was
strong and well, and carried with her
an air of indomitable conviction that
things worked themselves out all
right in the long run.
The boy was obviously her son, aud
In spite of his overalls and frayed
straw hat, he was handsome little
chap. He looked at you shyly from
under a crop of curly hair, with half
closed eyes, giving you the impression
that you were being "sized up by
very discriminating individual; and
when he smiled, as he did frequently,
he revealed set of very white and
perfect teeth. When he was silent,
there was a little lifting of the inner
brow which gave him a thoughtful
look quite beyond his years; and you
were sadly mistaken If you imagined
tlat you could form a correct impress
sion Of Nicholas Burke at the first in
terview.
The man wore a sandy beard, but
no mustache, and had a downcast,
mcekly submissive air, probably the
depressing effect Of many years Of
severe domestic discipline.
Mrs. Burke was evidently surpris
ed to find no one there but the man
on the suit case; but as he rose and
lifted his hat, she hesitated moment
exclaiming:
81 beg pardon, but l was looking
for parson who was to arrive on
this train. You haven't seen anything
that looked like parson. have you?
You can generally spot 'em every
time"
The young man smiled.
well, no: l seem to be the only
passenger who got off the train; and
( though Pm a clergyman, you don't
seem to find 1t easy to spot me-"
Mrs. Burke with a characteristic
gesture pulled her glasses forward
with jerk and settled them firmly
back again on the bridge of her nose.
She surveyed the speaker critically
AS she questioned:
"But you don't seem to show the us.
ual symptoms-collar buttoned behind
and all that,
I'm sorry to disappoint you Madam
hut l never travel in clerical uniform.
Can't afford it,"
well, you've got more sense than
most parsons, II may say so. Maybe
you're the one I'm lookin' for: Mr..
Donald MAXWELL
"That is my name, and l am sure
you must be Mrs. Burke"
"Sure thing!"-shaking his out.
stretched hand heartily. Now you
come right along with me, Mr.. Max
we'll, and get into the democrat and
make yourself comfortable" They
walked round to the front of the sta
tion. "This, Mr.. Maxwell. is Jonathan
Jackson, the Junior Warden; and this
Is my son, Nicholas, generally known
rs Mickey, except when am about to
spank him. Say, Jonathan, you just
hist that trunk into the back of the
wagon, and Mickey, you take the par
sons suit case"
The Junior Warden grinned good
naturedly as he shook hands with the
new arrival. But Hepsey continued
briskly: Now Jonathan, you get into
the back seat with Mickey, and Mr.,
Maxwell, you sit with me on the front
seat so that ! can talk to you. Jon.
athan means well, but his talks limit.
ed to crops and symptoms, even II
he is an old friend, my next dooi
neighbor, and the Junior Warden"
Jonathan obeyed orders; and, as he
got into the wagon, winked at Max.
well and remarked:
you see we have to take a back
seat when Hepsey drives; and we
have to hold on with both hands.
She's q PAGER"