Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-08-25

Ugh! we shall catch our death of cold
if it isn't put in at once
eyes, mother" said Annie.
Il declare, I don't see how you
came to do it, child," continued her
mother.
Il suppose I must have been very
careless" said Annie, penitently.
'Well what's done can't be undone,
and [ suppose we must expect such
things to happen once in a while.'
Meanwhile, Annie was putting on
her bonnet and shawl, and at once
bent her steps to John Wyman's shop.
He was planning a board when she
entered. He looked up with an air of
glad surprise.
Annie explained her errand, and
likewise added 3 few words, the pur-
port of which our readers will learn in
due time
In about twenty minutes, Mrs. Graf
ton saw John advancing up the gravel
ed walk towards the door.
"Your daughter left word" said he,
'that you've got job in my line this
morning."
Yes" says Mrs. G., "and I'm glad
you've come so promptly. 1t isn't
very comfortable, this cold weather, to
have broken pane"
"Whereabouts is it ?" asked John in
Q matter of fact way.
"ln the sitting groom. Walk right
in there"
Mrs. G. did not fail to observe that
Annie had not come home with her
late lover, as she feared she might,
and in her heart she commended her
daughters prudence.
I'm glad she knows what's good
for her." thought Mrs. G. Il hope in
time, to secure a lawyer for q son-in-
law; they usually pick out lawyers for
political officers, and / should really
like to be the mother-in-law to a pol
itician."
The good lady went back to her
knitting work, while Wyman, with a
business-lille air, proceeded to his
work. lie had nearly finished the job,
which, by the way, seemed to take
him considerable longer than usual,
when knock at the door caused Mrs.
q. to put down her knitting and an
sWer the summons.
She started back in surprise at the
apparition which presented itself:
1t was apparently venerable crone,
nearly bent double, attired In an old
plaid cloak and leaning for support on
a rough stick.
''Good morning ," said the visitor,
in a cracked voice.
"Good morning." said Mrs. Grafton,
mentally deciding that she was an ap-
plicant for charity.
"Would you like your fortune told,
my worthy madam - inquired the
crone, in quivering voice.
''Are you a fortunetelIer % asked
Mrs. G. wonderingly.
Eyes madam, | can read the secret
OF the stars, and from their mystic
depths trace out their wondrous secrets.
Thou woulds,t know the past, present,
or future?''
Now Mrs. G. had in her nature a |
large portion Of superstitious crudelity,
and she listened with no little awe to
the words Of the crone.
"How much is your charge?" she
asked.
"Twenty five CENTS" was the reply. |
"Can you tell the past??''
eyes, madam"
every well, what is my husbands
name?"
1T was Ebenezer. But your hus-
band is no longer living"
"You are right" said Mrs. G. quite
impressed with the correc tness of the
reply.-'<cau you tell me how long ago
he died 90
"Three years since"
"On what day."
''The day before Christmas"
"This is wonderful" said Mrs. G. to
herself. "Can you tell me low many
children have?''
"You have had two, but only one is
living
as it male or female %
''It is girl"
GLOW marvellous !" thought Mrs. e. ,
"I wish Annie was here I should
like to see what she would say about
her."
But Annie did not seem likely to
make her appearance.
At this moment, John Wyman came
to the door.
"Wili the young man have his for
tune told?" inquired the crone.
eyes" said the young man.
"What would you know-the past
or the future ?"
"The future, by all means my good