The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-04-03
CHAPTER x.
A Party and-mv Eo,,-th p.,u,

| bOSSJ WAL me IdLnlIy umbrella
faded but sacred implement, AWAY
carefully dried, after using, and hun
IN the clothes press. We were drenche
to the skin in spite of the umbrella
| 1t was still raining when we arrive
at the familiar door in Ashery lane
Uncle Peabody wouldn't stop.
He hurried away. We pioneers rare
ly stopped or even turned out for tn
weather.
Come in" said the voice of tn
schoolmaster at the door. There
good weather under this roof
He saw my plight as I entered.
I'm like a shaggy dog that's beer
| in swimming" 1 said.
upon my word, boy, we're in luck,
remarked the schOolmaster.
looked up at him.
! Michael Henry's clothes sure
they're just the thing for your
| l followed him upstairs, wondering
how it had happened that Michae
Henry had clothes.
He took me into his room anC
brought some handsome, soft elothe:
out of a press with shirt, socks anC
DOOIS 10 IudCC0.
There, my laddie buck" said he
put them on"
These will soon dry on me-" said
Put them On-ye IaggardI Michael
Henry told me to give them to you
It's the birthday night O. little Ruth
my boy. There's a big cake with can
dies and chicken pie and jeIlied cook
les and all the like o. that. Put them
on. A wet boy at the feast would
dampen the whole proceedings"
1 put them on and with d great
sense of relief and comfort. They
were an admirable fit-too perfect for
an accident, although at the time
thought only of their grandeur as
stood surveying myself in the looking
glass. They were of blue cloth and
saw that they went well with my
blond hair and light skin. was put
ting on my collar and necktie when
Mr.. Hacket returned.
We went below and the table was
very grand with its great frosted cake
and its candles, in shiny brass sticks,
and it's jellies and preserves with the
CLEAN of polished pewter among them.
Mrs. Racket and all the children, save
Ruth, were waiting for US in the din
ing room.
"Now sit down here, all o. ye, with
Michael Henry" said the schoolmas-
ter. '"The little lady will be impatient.
I'll go and get her and God help US to
make her remember the day."
He was gone moment, only. when
he came back with Ruth In lovely
white dress and slippers and gay with
ribbons, and the silver beads of Mary
on her neck. We clapped our hands
and cheered and. in the excitement of
the moment. John tipped over his
drinking glass and shattered it on
the floor.
''Never mind, my brave lad-no glass
ever persisted in - better cause. God
bless your
We ate and TESTED and talked, and
the sound of our laughter drowned
the cry of the wind in the chimney
and the drumming of the rain upon
the windows.
Next morning my clothes, which had
been hung by the kitchen stove were
damp and wrinkled. Mr.. e1acket came
to my room before had risen.
Michael Henry would rather see
his clothes hanging on q good boy
than on nail in the closet" said he
Sure they give no comfort to the
nail at ALL
81 guess mine are dry now" I an
swered.
They're wet and heavy, boy. No
son o. Baltlur could keep a light heart
In them. Sure ye'd be as much out
O. place as a sunbeam in a cave o.
bats. If ye care not for your own
comfort think O. the poor lad in the
green chair. He's that proud and
pleased to see them on We it would be
a shame to reject his offer. Sure, If
they were dry yer own garments
would be good enough, God knows,
but Michael Henry loves the look o.
We in these toys, and then the preSi-
dent is in town."
That evening he discovered a big
stain, black as ink, on my coat and
trousers. Mr.. Racket expressed the
opinion that it might have come from
the umbrella, but am quite sure that
be had spotted them to save me from
the last homemade suit I ever wore,
save in rough work, and keep Michael
Henry's on my back. In any event
wore them no more save at chore time.
Sally came and went, with the Wills
boy, and gave no heed to me. In her
eyes / had no more substance than
a ghost, it seemed TO me, although
caught her. often. looking at me. 1
judged that her father had given her
a bad report Of US and had some re-
grets, in spite of my knowledge that
We were right. although they related
mostly to Amos.
Next afternoon saw Mr.. Wright
and the president walking back and
forth on the bridge as they talked
together. a number of men stood in
front Of the blacksmith shop, By the
river shore, watching them, as L
passed. On my way to the mill on an
errand. The two statesmen were In
and white linen and beaver
hats. Thg stopped as I approached
them.
well. partner, we shall be leaving
IN an hour or So" said Mr.. Wright as
be gave me his hand sYou may look
for me here soon after the close of the
session. Fake care of yourself and 90
often to see Mrs. Wright and obey