The Holly chieftain., 1919-03-06
CHAPTER TX.
Meet President Van Buren, and Am
Cross-Examined bv Mr.. Crjmshaw,

] "CCt VFColOCUt van ouVCu anu SASu
cross-Examined by Mr.. GrInnshaw.
The days went easier after that.
The boys took me into their play and
some of them were most friendly.
had a swift foot and good eye as
we'll as strong arm. and could hold
my own at three old cat-a kind OF
baseball which we played in tho
schoolyard. Saturday came. As we
were sitting down at the table that
morning the younger children clung
to the knees Of Mr.. Hacket and
begged him to take them up the river
in a boat.
"Good Lord! What wilt thou give
me when l grow childlessT he cx-
claimed with his arms around them.
''That was the question Of Abraham.
and 1t often comes to me. OF course
we shall 60. But bark! Let us hear
what the green chair has to say"
There was a moment of silence and
then he went on with merry laugh.
Fright We are, Michael Henryl You
are always right, my boy-God bless
your soul! We shall take Bart with
us an doughnuts an cheese an cook
les an dried meat for ALL"
From that moment l date the be-
ginning Of my love for the occupant
Of the green chair in the home Of MI
chael Hacket. Those good people were
Catholics and Protestant and yet
this Michael Henry always insisted
upon the most delicate consideration
for my faith and feelings.
II promised to spend the morning
IN the field with Mr.. Wright. II { may
have your consent, sir" ] said.
"Then we shall console ourselves.
knowing that you are in better com.
pany." said Mr.. Hacket.
Mr.. Dunkelberg called at the house
in Ashery lane to see me after
breakfast
"Bart, If you will come with me l
should like to order some store clothes
and boots for you." he said In hia
squeaky voice.
For n moment knew not how to
answer him. Nettled MS had been by
Sally's treatment Of me. the offer was
like rubbing ashes on the soreness Of
my spirit.
I blushed and surveyed my garments
and said:
IT guess look pretty bad. don't IT.
you look all right. hut I thought
maybe you would feel better in softer
raiment, especially II you care to go
around much with the young people. I
am an old friend Of the family and I
guess 1t would he proper for me TO-
buy the clothes for you. When you
are older you can buy suit for me.
some time IL you care to-"
1t should be understood that we'll
to-do people in the towns were more
particular about their dress those
days than now.
"Tll ask my aunt and uncle about
it." 1 proposed.
THAT'S all right" he answered. I'm
going to drive to your house this after
noon and your uncle wishes you to
90 with me. We are all to have talk
with Mr.. Grimshaw."
He left me and I went over to Mr..
Wright's.
They told me that he was cutting
corn in the back lot. where found
him.
"Mr. Dunkelberg came this morning
and wanted to buy me some new
clothes and boots," said.
The senator stopped work and stood
looking at me with his hands upon his
hips.
II wouldn't let him do 1t If l were
you," he said thoughtfully.
Just then l saw young man come
running toward us In the distant field.
Mr.. Wright took out his compass.
"Look here" he said, you see the
needle points due north"
He took lodestone out Of his
pocket, and holding it near the COM
pass moved it back and forth. The
needle followed 1t.
The young man came up to Us
breathing deeply. Precipitation was
rolling off his face. He was much ex-
cited and spoke with some difficulty.
"Senator Wright" he gasped, Mrs.
Wright sent me down to tell you that
President Van Buren Is at the house."
l remember wildly the look of mild
amusement in the senator's face and
the serene calmness with which he,
looked at the young man and said to
him:
"Tell Mrs. Wright to make him COM
Portable in our easiest chair and to
say to the president that shall be up
directly"