Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-02-02
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claimed: "Jest as if
he hadn't been goin' ter the store
Ireg'lar three nights week for the
last 20 years."
Jim muttered, Thought I'd tell
YER" and sat down in the kitchen
to pull on his rubbers. He could
hear Rissie (who thought that he
had gomez still talking.
81 can read Jim jest like an open
book. My birthdays next week, and
i can tell yer right now what he's
goin' ter give me! One of the lee
trio lamps Dave Halls got in his
store! With a blue Shade I seen
him fingerin' the fringe whenever
I've been in the store with him, an
he's asked all manner O. pointed
questions. He's as simple ter read
as Abel"
Jim slipped quietly out, mutter-
ing to himself. In the road he
stopped a moment, then laughed
and hurried on.
On his wife's birthday, Jim went
down to the lower end of the village
to work. When he reached home,
Rissie commanded him: "Wash up
good and proper! Mis- bennett and
Miss Wendell are comm over fer
my birthday supper"
Jim's eyes twinkled. "'Sgood,"
he muttered, and disappeared into
the bedroom.
When he heard Rissie at the door
admitting her guests, he slipped out
and tucked large box under the ia
BILE just beside her chair.
When they came to the table, Ris-
sic, with well-feigned surprise,
picked up the two packages which
she found at her place. Admitting
and exclaiming, she opened them,
while the donors simpered in en-
barraSSment.
"a tattin' doiley an an embroid-
cred towel! Amt they jest hand
some, Jim? Land, can't thank you
ladies enough"
Rissie looked little questioningly
at Jim, who made no sign, and they
sat down. Rissie felt the box be-
side her, jumped up, and pulled it
out.
81 declared" she exclaimed. SIS
this a present from you, Jim?"
Jim nodded.
Rissie exchanged knowing
glance with her guests. With shaky
fingers she tore off the papers and
opened the carton. While the other
two women stood with bated breath,
she reached in, made a startled
movement of her hand, and drew
out a plain glass candle-holder and
a long, ugly, over-decorated yellow
candle! The two women looked at
Jim and then back at Rissie's flush
ing face.
''How-how lovely!" they gasped,
at last.
"Jest about fit your parlor man.
tel, won't they, Rissie?" Jim piped.
Rissie CROPPED despairingly in the
carton and drew out the other can
dlestick.
"a pair!" said Mrs. bennett, try
ing to be tactful. 1.-TWO always look
so nice, one on each end"
When the meal was finished Ris-
sic announced: "I'm goin' ter make
you folks right ter home now. It's
colder in the front room, so We'll
stay right here in the sittin' ROOM"
Jim drew his rocker up to the
stove and sat down with his feet on
the hearth.
cts Wednesday night. Amt you
goin' down ter the store, Jim?" Ris-
sic asked.
"Nope!" Jim answered. "Guess
I'll stay ter home"
"What's got inter yer!" Rissie ex-
claimed.
Conversation Jagged. Rissie fidg-
eted. At last she jumped up.
81 declare! I b'lieve it's nicer in
the front room, after ALL"
Her guests followed her, and shiv-
cred involuntarily as they passed
out of the warmer room. They made
an effort to be cheerful but the
creaking of Jim's chair startled
them, and the front room grew cold
er. It was early when they pre-
pared to leave, and Rissie hardly
urged them to stay. There was a
tone of pity and condescension in
their goodnight to Rissie.
Rissie came back from the door
and dropped into chair. Jim, smil-
ing and bearing large box, came
from the bedroom.
"I've got another present fer yer,
Rissie," he offered.
Zones enough!" she snapped.
"It's-it's somethin' you'll like"
He drew out lamp with a soft
rose-and-blue shade.
"It's somethin' like what Dave
had at the store" he went on, "but
it's nicer. I sent ter town. knowed
YOU wouldn't want Mis- bennett ter
see it. She'd be maxim half dozen
Jest like it by tomorrer."
Rissie turned. AS she gazed at
the lamp, her eyes softened with de-
light.
Jim chuckled wickedly, 81 can
read you jest like book, easy as
Abel"
Rissie gave a little sigh of defeat
and reached a caressing hand to-
ward the silky shade.