Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-10-28
THE STORY

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CHAPTER with her baby sister,
Patience, Lydia returns from play ID
the untidy home Of her impoverished
father, Amos Dudley. at Lake City. Her
fathers friend. and her own devoted
affairs with Dudley, makes up his mind
to go into politics.
CHAPTER u-Lydia, Patience and q
companion, Kent Moulton, playing by
the lake. are accosted by an old squaw
gives her s food 0 kar sssasa small daash -
banker. Joins them. In their play
pulled out. unhurt but frightened. and
taken home by Lydia and Kent. Her
father calls on Amos to complain,
blaming Lydia for the mishap
Continued from last weekly
"Our yard runs right down to the
water!" she cried, as the driver lift
ed the baby down and she followed
after. Gee! I'm glad we moved |"
Lydia looked along the road, where
an occasional house was to be seen.
II hope kids live In these houses"
she said, "but If they don't, baby and
the lake are company enough for me,
and Kent can come out on his wheel"
She ran through the little house
eagerly. 1t was full of windows and
being all on one floor, gave fine eff
feet Of spaciousness. It was an old
house but in excellent repair as was
all John Levine's property.
Lizzie arrived on the third and final
load. She brought with her lunch
that they shared with the driver. He
good-naturedly set up the kitchen
stove and the three beds for them and
departed with the hope that they
would not be too lonesome.
Lydia and old Lizzie put in an aft
ernoon of gigantic effort. BY six
o'clock, the beds were made. dishes
unpacked and in the china closet, the
table was set for supper and an Irish
stew Of Lydias make was simmering
on the stove.
When Amos came up the path. at
half after six, his dinner pail in his
hand, he found Lydia fiat on her back
on the little front porch. Her curly
head was wet with perspiration !;
face, hands and blouse were black.
The baby sat beside her. trying to get
Florence Dombey to sleep.
WELL" said Amos, looking down on
his family, show do you like it, Ly-
dia?"
"It's great! My backs broken l
Supper's ready"
"You shouldn't lift heavy things,
childl How often have I told you?
Wait until I get home"
II want to get things DONE" replied
Lydia, SOS can do little playing
before school opens. Come on In and
see all we've done, daddy"
She forgot her aching back and led
the way into the house, Amos was
as excited and pleased as the children
and Lizzie, so tired that her old hands
shook, was as elated as the others.
TITS much more roomy than the old
house and all on one floor. Twill save
me the stairs. And the garden'll be
fine," she said, failing to call atten-
ton to the fact that the water was far
from the house and that there was
no kitchen sink.
"W've got to try to keep this place
cleaner than we did the other" said
Amos. Lydia, better wash up for
supper"
ooh, daddy" said Lydia, "Tm too
tired! Don't make me!''
"Au right" answered Amos, "but
your mother was always clean and SO
am 1. don't see where you get it."
Maybe one. of my ancestors was a
garbage man." suggested Lydia, slid
Ing into her place at the table.
She allowed Lizzie to carry Patience
Into their bedroom after supper and
Amos, smoking in the yard and plan
ming the garden for next year, waited
In vain to hear "Beulah Land" and
"Wreathe me no gaudy chaplet'' float
to him from the open window.
where's Lydia, Lizzie?" he asked
as the old lady came out to empty the
dishwater.
"She amt come out yet. Maybe
she's fell asleep, too"
The two tip-toed to the window.
On the bed under the covers was lit
tie Patience, fast asleep, and beside
her, on top Of the covers, fully dressed,
lay Lydia, an arm across her little
sister, in the sleep Of utter exhaus-
ton.
"pn Just take her shoes Off and
cover her and leave her till morning.
said Lizzie.
But Amos, gazing at his two I'LL
kempt little daughters, at the chaotic
room, did not answer except to muir
muir to himself. "Oh. Patiencel Pa
thence r.
The cottage was somewhat isolated
Amos was three-quarters of mile
from his work. The schoolhouse was
a mile away and the nearest trolley
which Lizzie must take to do the fam
fly shopping, was half mile baci
along the dirt road.
Nevertheless, all the family felt tina
they had taken a distinct step upwart
ih moving into lake shore propert.
and nobody complained Of distances
Amos began putting 10 bis Sundays y