The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-05-28

oveishadowed. She knew the latest styles i'll
dress goods and millinery, and was equally
learned in the newest modes of fitting and
trinaning, and quite ready to impart her
knowledge to us, who were SO far in the back
ground that we received the reflection OF the
EMPRESS Eugenie's glory quite indirectly
Then she had patterns for hospital slippers,
andthe most desirable fashions Tor shirts and
clearinghouse, while she knew to thread
how wide the bandagcs should be torn. In
fact before we hardly knew it, she had con
stifkated herself acting president and full board
of directors, simply in right Of her superior
knowledge.
fhe men, as they came in, gradually form
ed ii a large semi-circle; all intent on pull
I~ing4int, from bald, half-blind Deacon Peck
who worked away as though he had been
husaing, to the the cluster OF boys at one end,
who pulled lint a little and gigglcd a great
deaf with the girls, who sat behind them,
working with busy fingers and buster tongues.
rAIr. Cram, excuse me, but | have a great
favar to ask of you," said Widow Hazel,com-
ingt with a chair and a halt-bound slipper, be-
hind the centre of the circle. After the hos
pital country fashion she, as a stranger, had
already been introduced to every one.
Certainly, | should be most happy to serve
you, said he.
Not me but our poor soldiers" she replied.
"liiss Virginia tells me you are gong to Dos
ton next week, and | have sufficient acqualn-
tance with some members OF the sanitary
committee there to know that we can have
all the yarn sent us We will k 90 may we
trouble you to procure us some at the rooms
| viii send a note by you to one OF the ladles.
Mr.. Cram was saying he would take the
commission with the greatest pleasure, when
Mrs. Putler:
Sister Laura is particularly interested In
the welfare of the soldiers" SAID she.
At this point Mrs. Hazel interrupted her,
so are ali our countrywomen, | am sure
Ann She looked SO conscious, turning
away her eyes, that, though the color neither
went nor came, she gave the impression Of
blushing to half the persons present, and all
were satisfied she had a lover in the army.
Thus the siege on Mr.. Grams heart and per
son was commenced with masked batteries as
by . skillful general.
TIC same week when her brother-in-iaw
the captain was going to the mill, OH a
momllit evening, the Widow Hazel went with
him lust for the ride, taking along the note
she wished to send to Boston by Mr.. Cram.
'fIl hold Billy if you'll take it i'll to him,
John said she to the captain.
There was no need, though, for MIR. Cram
saw them and came directly out, insisted
moreover that the horse should be tied while
they came in and ate an apple with him.
I4.ay required a deal Of urging, especially
the widow, but Mr.. Cram. being very proud
of his bachelor room as he called them, urG-
ed to that degree that they went IN. The
little parlour was very cozy and shining, GER
tainly, with pretty furniture and a few choice
pictures but there was no work Uttered
about. as there should have been to make 1t
home-Iile; only some lonesome looking books
and & long tobacco pipe. except, however,
a tiny dog that barked as f~uriously as her
small lungs would allow her, when they en-
terea3. -.
50 quiet, Dot. Iou must excuse hcf i'll
manners: she sees so few ladies she is afraid OF
thenl,' said Mr.. Cram, preparing to thrust the
dog from the room.
20. what q. dear little dog. Do let her
stay aud see if | can't make friends with her"
exclaimed Widow Hazel, coaxing the 8hag-
gy. silky bit Of animal life, that looked doubt
fully ND at her. Nh, little Dot! Iou have
more reason for jealousy than you know! Ihe
widows fascination was as ~etlectual with the
dog as with us, and presently she was fast
asleep in her lap, making a dazzling contrast
with her glossy blackness to the slender white
hands Of the lady,
After his guests had left, Mr.. Cram found
his parlour had lost its cheerfulnes8 somehow,
while the easy-chair where Widow Hazel had
been sitting was 50 dislnally and ~provokingly
suggestive that he turned his back to it, as
he sought comfort and society in his odious
pipe. Dame Ruth, too, his old housekeepeI,
seemed deafer and more unreasonable than
ever. and altogether he went to bed early and
didn't sleep very well. 1t was possible those
tea-bis2uits hurt him; dame Ruth always
could put in almost as much saleratus as She
did -four.
| needn't tell you that the days passed on,
because days always do that, till MIR. Cram
had been to Boston and returned. The very
next day, that the ladies might have the yarn
in season. he went with the huge parcel to
Capt. Putfer's. You needn't laugh; Widow
Hazel sending for it, | don'tsee why it wasn't
proper for him TO deliver it to her. . yes IN
deed! How cheerful and home like it always
seemed at the captains, and this time more
than usual. So he staid quite a while, look
inc at the blazing wood fire in the old iron
fire frame, which was a luxury not out Of
fashion there. lie staid so long in fact that
it was tea-time and never standing on cere-
mony with the captain, who was his fellow
selectman, he readily accepted the warm wei
come to his table. How much more civilized,
to say the least, to sit with a smiling, social
circle instead Of one lone, queruious old Wo-
man.
.Your bread is so nice I'll take another
slice with your permission, Mrs. Putfer, said
Mr.. Cram, thinking Of the doubtful mixture
dame Ruth made under that specific head.
SISTER Laura made this; | can't take the
credit Of it. replied Mrs. Pufer, candidly.
30, making bread is my particular talent,
you must know, MIR. Cram" said the widow,
laughing and Of course showing her dimple.
After the bread, followed a bewildering
series Of wholesome dainties OF which dame
Ruth would hardly have known the names.
''You musn't refuse a cream cake, because
! made Them insisted Widow Hazel, toward
the close Of the repast.
AS Mr.. Cram was taking his leave. far in
to the evening, he happened to thlnE IT was
lust possible Mrs. Hazel, being a stranger,
might be interested to ride over TO the sugar
camp in Payson's woods. He probably for
got that there was Capt. Putler who was only
too happy to furnish any sort OF entertain
ment for his friends always, and she probably
forgot il, for she very gratefully accepted his
polite invitation for the next day before the
sleigiling should be gone. MIR. Cram was very
sure a party could be made up to go, for a
ride to Payson's woods to eat sugar was a
fashionable form of dissipation at Meadows.
He was quite right. The party was glad to
be made up, ready to make up Itself even,
when once started, like a ball Of snow rolling
down a hill. And o! the sweetness and de
light Of that DAY.
Widow Hazel wore such a pretty hood
trimmed with fur (not really mourning, bat
then she was gradually passing out from tliat'
you know that we were all beWltched TO
have one like it, and she promised to give US
the pattern and teach US how to make It up
Even Mr.. Cram felt the power of that hood,
(Derhaps it reminded him of Dot) and could
not help thinking, with a sigh, of the lover
IL IL 49, IL nf IL. chanccs and dancers