American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-03-14
cHAPTER x.
A Party and-My Fourth Peril7

llHRN Will LhC Auihhiy III Cihu a
faded but sacred implement, always
carefully dried, after using, and hung
in the clothes press. We were drenched
10 the skin in spite of the umbrella.
IT was still raining when we arrived
nt the familiar door in Ashery lane.
Uncle Peabody wouldn't stop.
He hurried away. We pioneers rare
ly stopped or even turned out for the
weather.
Come in," said the voice of the
Schoolmaster at the door. There's
rood weather under this roof"
He saw my plight as l entered.
I'm like a shaggy dog that's been
in swimming" 1 said.
upon my word, boy, we're in luck"
remarked the schoolmaster.
/ looked up at him.
Michael Henry's clothes l-sure,
they're Just the thing for you'll"
I followed him upstairs, wondering
how il had happened that Michael
Henry had clothes.
He ooh me into his room and
brought some handsome, soft clothes
ont of n press with shirt, socks and
boots to match.
There, my laddie buck" said he.
put them on"
"These will soon dry on me" l said.
Put them on-ye laggardl Michael
Henry told me to give them TIC you
It's the birthday night O. little Ruth,
my boy. There's a big cake with can
dies and chicken pie and jellied 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 a great
sense of relief and comfort. They
were an admirable it-too perfect Tor
an accident, although at the time |
thought only of their grandeur as
stood surveying myself in the LOOKING
glass. They were of blue cloth ana !
saw that they went well with my
blond hair and light skin. l 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 its iellies and preserves win th'
CLEAN of polished pewter among them
Mrs. Hacket and all the children, saw
Ruth, were waiting for us in the ulh
ing room -,
"Now sit down here, all O. We, VIII
Michael Henry" said the schoolmas
ter. 'The little lady will be impatient
I'll go and get her and God help US u
make her remember the day"
He was gone q moment, only wheI
he came back with Ruth in Lowell
white dress and slippers and gay VIII
ribbons, and the silver beads OF Ma
on her neck. We clapped our hanu
and cheered and, in the excitement Q
the moment, John tipped over III
drinking glass and shattered 1t o
the floor.
Never mind, my brave lad-no glas
ever persisted in a better cause. 10
bless your
We ate and TESTED and talked, an
the sound of our laughter browne
the cry of the wind in the chime
and the drumming of the rain upo
the windows.
Next morning my clothes, which ha
been hung by the kitchen stove wei
damp and wrinkled. Mr.. Hacket can
to my room before 1 had risen.
michael Henry would rather 81
his clothes hanging on a good be
than on a nail in the closet" said n
Sure they give no comfort to Il
nail at all"
81 guess mine are dry now,r 1 a
swered.
They're wet and heavy, boy.
son o. Baldur could keep a light hea
in them. Sure ye'd be as much o
o place as a sunbeam in a a V
bats. If We care not for your oy
comfort think o. the poor lad in I
green chair. He's that proud a
pleased to see them on We 1t would
u shame to reject his offer. sure,
they were dry yer own garner
would be good enough, God know
but Michael Henry loves the LOOK
We in these toys, and then the pre-
dent is in town.f
That evening he discovered a !
stain, black as ink. on my coat a
trousers. Mr.. Hacket expressed I
opinion that it might have come fr'
the umbrella, but l am quite sure Il
he had spotted them to save me fr'
the last homemade suit l ever wo
save in rough work, and keep Michi
Henry's on my back. In any even
wore them no more save at chore til
Sally came and went, with the WI
boy, and gave no heed to me. In
eyes / had no more substance IN
a ghost, it seemed to me, although
caught her. often, looking at me.
judged that her father had given
a bad report of us and had some
grets, in spite of my knowledge u
we were right, although they rela
mostly to Amos.
Next afternoon 1 saw Mr.. Wri
and the president walking back {
forth ON the bridge as they tall
together. a number of men stood
front of tha blacksmith shOD, by