The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-02-27
CHAPTER V-continued.


To Aunt Deel wagon grease was
the worst enemy of a happy and re-
spectacle home.
We hitched our team to the grass
hopper spring wagon and set out on
our journey. 1t was a warm, hazy
Indian-summer day in November. AS
we passed "the milf we saw the ST.
lent Woman looking out of the little
window of her room above the black
smith shOp-a low, weather-Stained,
frame building, hard by the main
road, with a narrow hanging stair on
the side of it.
'She keeps watch by the winder
when she amt travelin'," said Uncle
Peabody. knows all that's goin'
on-that mountainous who goes to
the village an how long they stay.
When Grimshaw goes by they say she
hustles off down the road in her rags.
She looks like a sick dog herself, but
I've heard that she keeps that room
O hers Just as neat as a pin"
Near the village we passed a smart
looking buggy, drawn by a spry-foot-
ed horse in shiny harness. Then 1
noticed with a pang that our wagon
was covered with dry mud and that
our horses were rather bony and our
harness a kind of lead color. So 1
was in an humble state OF mind when
we entered the village.
There was a crowd of men and
women in front of Mr.. Wright's Office
and through its open door 1 saw many
of his fellow tOwnsmen. We waited at
the door for few minutes. crowded
in while Uncle Peabody stood talk
ing to a villager. The Senator caught
sight of me and came to my side and
put his hand on my head and said:
"HeIlo, Bart! How you've grown
and how handsome you looki Where's
your uncle?"
Hes there by the door," I an
swered.
"Well, les go and see him."
Dir. Wright was stouter and grayer
and grander than when I had seen
him last He was dressed in black
broadcloth AMI wore a big beaver hat
and high collar and his hair was al
most white. I remember wildly his
clear, kindly, gray eyes and ruddy
cheeks.
"Baynes. I'm glad to see you" he
said heartily. Did We bring me any
jerked meat?"
didn't think of it," said Uncle
Peabody. "But I've got nice young
doe all jerked an if you're fond O.
jerk I'll bring We down some to-mor-
rer."
I'D like to take some to Washing
ton, but I wouldn't have you bring
it so far"
I'D like to bring it want a
chance to talk with We for half an
hour or such a matter" said my IN
Gle. I've got a little trouble on my
hands"
The Senator took us into his Office
and introduced US to the leading men
Of the county.
Here" said Che Senator as he put
his hand on my head, sis a coming
man in the Democratic party
The great men laughed at my
bushes and we came away with a
deep sense of pride in US. At last I
felt equal to the ordeal of meeting
the Dunkelbergs. My uncle must have
shared my feeling. for, to my delight,
he went straight to the basement
store above which was the modest
sign: n. Dunkelberg, Produce"
well 1 swami said the merchant
IN the treble voice which 1 remem-
bered so welt ''This is Bart and Pea
oodyI How are your
"Pretty WELL" I answered, my I'M
Gle being too slow of speech to suit
my sense of propriety. How is Sal
W"
The two men laughed heartily, much
to my embarrassment.
''Ea's getting right down to bust
q ess.< said my uncle.
That's right" said Mr.. Dunkelberg.
Why, Bart, she's spry as cricket
and pretty as a picture. Come up to
dinner with me and see for yourself"
Uncle Peabody hesitated, whereupon
I gave him a fur dive nod and he said
AL right" and then had deli
cious feeling of excitement. I had
hard work to control my impotence
when they talked.
By and by I asked, 'tAre you most
ready to goT
sY@-come on-it's after twelve
o'clock" said Mr.. Dunkeiberg. "SaIly
will be back from school now"