Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-04-20

one day, In passing sthiS same little
house, Emily stopped q moment and
leaned. over the gate, that she might
gain better view Of her favorite
rosebush.
She evinced the same interest the
next two mornings, and on the third
she timidly opened the gate and
walked up the old path to the door.
A buxom woman with big baby in
her arms, and bigger one hanging to
her skirts, answered the knock.
Glow do you do, Mis- Gray. Won't
you come fn?" said she civilly. looking
mildly surprised.
mo, thank you-yes-I meant
came to see you," stammered Emily
confusedly. g
you're very good" murmured the
woman, still standing in the doorway.
'sYour flowers are SO pretty" ven
tured Mrs. Gray, unable to keep the
wistfuiness out Of her voice. g
do you think so?' carelessly: IL
s'pose they need weedin'. What with
my babies an all, I don't get much
time for posies."
"Oh, please, would 1t be too much
trouble to let me come an putter
around the beds?" queried the little
woman eagerly. "Oh, would like 1t
80 much!"
The other laughed heartily.
swell, I really don't see how it's
goin' to trouble me to have you
weedin' my flowers; in fact, should
think the shoe would be on the other
foot" Then the red showed in her
face little. "You're welcome to do
whatever you want, Mis- Gray"
"Oh, thank you'll" exclaimed Emily,
as she quickly pulled up an enormous
weed at her feet.
It took but few hours work to
bring about a wonderfully happy
change in that forlorn garden, and
then NJ. Gray found that she had a
big pile Of weeds to dispose Of. Fill
ing her apron with portion Of them,
she started to 60 behind the house in
search Of garbage heap. Around
the corner she came face to face with
her husband, hoe In hand.
why, Reuben Gray! Whatever in
the world are you doing?"
For moment the man was crushed
with the enormity of his crime; then
he caught sight Of his wife's dirt
stained fingers.
"Well, guess I amt doing no worse
than you bel" And he turned his
back and began to hoe vigorously.
Emily dropped the weeds where she
stood, turned about, and walked
through the garden and up the hill,
pcndering many things.
Supper was strangely quiet that
night. Mrs. Gray had asked a single
question: Reuben, do you want the
little house back7"
A siad light leaped into the old
mans eyes.
"Hm1y-would you be willin'. tor
After the supper dishes were put
away, Mrs. Gray, with a light shawl
overhead, came to her husband on the
back stoop.
Come. dear; think we'd better 70
down tonight"
A Few minutes later they sat stifiy
in the best room Of the farmhouse,
while the buxom woman and her, hus-
band looked wonderingly at them.
"You want thinkin' of sellin', was
ye?" began Reuben insinuatinkly.
The younger mans eyelid quivered
little. Il K
well, mol can't hardly say that
I was. l hain't but just bought
Reuben hitched his chair bit ana
glanced at Emily. & 6, I,
swell, me and. my wife have con-
.clDded that we're too old to transplant
we don't seem to take root very
easy and we've been thinkin' would
you swap even. now o. IS s.3S; + 5s5%s &
It must have been month. later
! that Reuben Gray and his wife were
contsntedly sitting in; the Old familiar
kitchen OF the little brown house.
Eve been wondering, Reuben. y said
his wife i've been wondering ii
'twouldn't have been Just Is well lie
we'd taken some Of the good tfinKs
while! they was goins fore we get
too old to enjoy EN- 8
Yes peanuts, for instance, &C.
quiesced her husband ruefully.