The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-11-19

ing the stove still muttering to her.
SELF Lydia observed for the first time
that her apron was dirty. Thinking 1t
seen Lizzie with clean apron A
deep sense of shame suddenly en-
veIoped Lydia.
"Oh, | wish someone had taught
me-" she groaned. II wish mother
had lived. Everybody has to go and
die on mel l suppose Lizzie and
dad'll be next. Adam helps to keep
the house dirty. There's dog hair
everywhere"
Don't you get worked up over
Elviry Marshall, child,' said Lizzie.
81 hate her. exclaimed Lydia, ''but
what she said about the house is true.
Anyhow, I've learned how to clean
pantry shelves. so here goes"
She tied one of Lizzie's aprons
round her neck, pushed chair into
the pantry and began her unsavory
task. 1t was dusk when she finished
and led Lizzie out to observe the
shiny, sweet smelling orderliness of
the place.
Land, it does make a difference
If the rheumatic didn't take all the
ambition out of me, I'd keep it that
way for you," said the old lady.
"rll do it, every Saturday. Gosh,
I'm tired!" groaned Lydia, throwing
herself on the living room couch.
Lizzie, give me some of your mutton
tallow to rub on my hands. The cook
ing teacher says fits fine for hands,"
The highly satisfactory Thanksgiv-
ing feast was eaten and praised. The
dishes were washed and set away in
the immaculate pantry, and Amos and
John Levine were smoking by the fire.
Seems to me this room looks all
slicked up," said Levine.
Amos nodded. "Lydia's coming
along. Place was like cyclone this
morning for an hour, but the result
pays. She's growing like her moth
err"
"She's only child, and small for
her age, at that" said John. 'It's
shame for her to work so hard"
Il know it," answered Amos, "but
what can / do? On dollar and
half a day. swan"
There was rap on the door. Liz
zie admitted Dave Marshall and Mar
gerry.
''Out for tramp as a digestor,"
explained Dave. "Came to call on my
friend Lydia. / amt seen her for
ages"
He and Levine nodded to each 9th
| er. Amos shook hands and Dave
| kissed Lydia, catching a dark scowl
on Levines face as he did so.
Lets play paper DOLLS" said Mar
gerry, as soon as she had pulled off her
coat.
"You play EN-" replied Lydia,
''Pm awful tired"
"Why should baby like you be
J tired?" inquired Marshall, pulling her
| to his side as he seated himself In
Amos armchair.
eff you'd tasted our dinner" said
Amos, you'd know why she and Liz
zie should be half dead"
81 wish 1 could "a tasted It," replied
Mai ohdll. nave d SluOhC, hIChuS'
"Come, John, come" said the stout
banker, banteringly. "This is legal
holiday and you and I at least agree
on Lydia. Let's stop war for the day,
eh?"
Levine's sallow face hardened, then
he caught Lydia's blue gaze on him as
she stood beside Marshall. 1t was
such a transparent, trusting gaze, so
| full of affection, so obviously appeal
ing to him to ''be NICE" that in spite
of himself he grinned and took a
cigar.
! Amos settled back with sigh Of
satisfaction. He enjoyed company
/ and had had no one but John since
his wife's death.
"Co-ee! Lydia" came a call from
the lake shore.
Lydia ran to the kitchen door.
Charlie Jackson and Kent were skat-
ing up to the bank.
"Come out for WHILE" cried Kent.
81 can't. I've got company. Come
on up and get warm" returned Lydia.
The two boys slipped off their
skates and came up to the cottage.
Kent needed no Introduction, and
| Lydia made short work of Charlie
by saying to the assemblage at large,
"This Is Charlie Jackson. Come on
up by the stove, boys"
Hello, Marg," said Kent. "What
you doing?"
/ paper DOLLS" returned Margery
from her corner, without looking up.
Charlie Jackson stared at the beau
tiful little black head bent over the
! bright-colored bits of paper with in
terest.
Amos took up the conversation. "If
we could get Republican congress,
that block o. pine and black loan
twenty miles north would be given to
it's rightful owners"
Meaning the full bloods, 1 sup
pose," said Levine with short laugh.
Eyes = full-blooded whites" re-
turned Amos.
/ Charlie Jackson suddenly threw
| back his head and rose.
."Tm a full-blood Indian" he said,
quietly. The three men looked at
him as If they saw him for the first
time.
swell, what Of it?" asked Marshall,
shortly.
"This of It," said Charlie, tensely,
shat you whites with your Constitu-
ton and your Declaration of indie
pendence are a lot Of liars and
| thieves"
Marshall turned purple. but John
Levine spoke quickly. Easy there,
my boy! You're talking of things you
don't understand"
"Oh, but he Does" interrupted Ly-