The Holly chieftain., 1919-03-13
CHAPTER X.
A Party and-My Fourth Peril?
II =

carefully dried, after using, and hung
ln the clothes press. We were drenched
to the skin in spite of the umbrella.
1t was still raining when we arrived
at the familiar door In Ashery lane.,
Uncle Peabody wouldn't stop.
He hurried away. Ws pioneers rare
ly stopped or even turned out for the
weather.
"Come in," said the voice of the
schOolmaster at the door. "There's
good weather under this roof"
He saw my plight as l entered.
"Fm like shaggy dog that's been
in swimming" said.
"Upon my word, boy &e'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 1t had happened that Michael
Henry had clothes.
He took me into his room and
brought some handsome, soft clothes
out Of a 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 laggard! Michael
Henry told me to give them to you.
It's the birthday night O. little Ruth,
my boy. There's big cake with can
dies and chicken pie and jellied cook
les and all the like O. that. Put them
on. wet boy at the feast would
dampen the whole proceedings"
l put them on and with great
sense Of relief and comfort. They
were an admirable fit-too perfect for
an accident. although Mt the time l
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. 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 it's candles, in shiny brass sticks.
and its jellies and preserves with the
CLEAN of polished pewter among them.
Mrs. Hacket 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. 1.-THE little lady will be impatient.
I'll 60 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 1t on
the floor.
"Never mind, my brave lad-no glass
ever perished in better cause. God
bless you'll"
We ate and jested 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.. Hacket came
to my room before l had risen.
Michael Henry would rather see
his clothes hanging on good boy
than on nail in the closet" said he.
"Sure they give no comfort to the
nail ut ALL"
II guess mine are dry now," I an-
swered.
'"They're wet and heavy, boy. No
son O. Baldur could keep light heart
In them. Sure ye'd be as much out
O. place as a sunbeam in 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 ye 1t would be
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 togs, and then the presl-
dent Is In town."
That evening he discovered big
stain, black as ink, On my coat and
trousers. Mr.. Hacket expressed the
opinion that it might have come from
the umbrella, but am quite sure that
he had spotted them to save me from
the last homemade suit l ever wore,
save in rough work. and keep Michael
Henry's on my back. In any event I
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