Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-30
MISCELLANY.
THr DELER.Rs AND JOSEPHINE SMITH.

Il.
Carriages were standing closely
around depot in one of cur eastern cit
les, waiting for the train due at 4:30.
But one, an elegant little affair, was
conspicuous for pair of eager eyes that
looked anxiously out of the window
avay into the distance in the direction
from which the train was expected to
come. There, a signal! Yes, they are
cOmingl The horses paw and arch
their glossy necks, while the crowd
SWAY like grain with breeze passing
over it. The occupant of private car
riage, a beautiful woman of forty, per
haps-althOugh she looked much yOun-
ger-cOuld hardly retain her impa-
thence.
She arose, as il she would descend,
and then with a smile at her own child
ishness, she sat down and awaited the
arrival. Among the first to step from
the cars, were two gentlemen, the one
middle-aged, and the other scarce eigh-
teen. It was worth going o mile to see
the lady, as her eyes rested on them.
The light of happiness was on every
feature, and she looked even youthful
In the TRANSPORTATION.
sour carriage, fatherr" said the
Younger one; and in a moment the two
were in the little vehicle, and grasping
each a hand of the wife and mother,
who had come to convey them from
the depot. The most casual beholder
would have called them happy trio; as
indeed, they were, and all the world to
each other-Mr. and Mrs. Delebar and
their only son Frank.
They had been absent about three
weeks, but hundred questions were to
be asked and answered by each.
''And how did you find Mr.. Smith,
and my pretty namesake, Josephine p
asked Mrs. Delabar of her husband.
''Mr. Smith was well, and doing well,
I should think He has several hum
dred acres of wild land, and there is a
fair prospect chat it will soon become
valuable, from its situation on the lake
shore. A pier is being constructed on
1t already; and village will eventually
spring up near 1t. +"
81 am so glad Poor George He
has had such a sad, dark way; / hope
he is coming into the sunshine now.-
But little Josie, Is she as pretty as ev-
en-"
Frank can tell you about her; I must
go to the store now" And with a sly
smile at the young man, he left them.
swell. Frank, about Josephine p
Her mother promised her to you, one
day, when you saved her head bump
from the front steps, more than ten
years ago."
The young man laughed almost bois-
terously, as he replied:
''Fhat is as much as / would do for
her now, mother. Why, she is the
toughest, most uncultivated girl ever
saw; or, at least, was ever acquainted
with.
why, Frank, you must be mistaken
Anna Smiths child cannot be rough,
am surer'
''Well, mother, let me tell you, please.
We left the cars at a little station in
Michigan, and obtaining a private car
rage, were conveyed as speedily as pos
sible to the residence of Mr.. Smith, sit
uated about ten miles away; said resi-
dence consisting of a double log house
-"
ga double log housed What is that,
pray2"
"Why, two log buildings, made to
touch each other, and with door lead
ing from one to the other; as trees will
not work into logs long enough to build
large dwelling, and hence the two.
There were about forty acres under cul-
tlvation, and enclosed by a rail fence,
and beyond that, on every side. il was
> heavy timber. Famous for hunting,
mother, but, oh, such place for a farm.
We found Mr.. Smith IN The field, en-
deavoring to root out an obstinate
stump, that came on a line where he
wanted to set fruit tree. He looked
like bod carrier, but was overjoyed to
see us, and leaving the stump with his
hired man, great burly Dutchman, he
went with us at once TO the house.
Since the death of his wife, eight
years, believe, he had hired a family
to work for him; the man and boys out.
doors, and the woman and girls in the
house. And they were Just such fam.
lily as You would expect to find hired
out; especially in a place where land is
as cheap as it is there. Dinner was
soon announced, and we all sat down to
getheF, Dutchmsn and all. The food
was good enough, and In abundance
bu1 UPON tic AftDtC Al SUCH I
disorderly manner, that / hardly knew
when the meal was over. just as W,
We're leaving the table, horse cam,
galloping past the window.
Here comes Jo," said Mr.. Smith
and down from the horse on to tn,
block used as doorstep, slipped /;
great awkward girl, about fourteen,
should think. Her face was tanned {,
the color of coffee berry frizzle,
c,rls, all In tangle hands destitute o
gloves, coarse shoes, soiled dress an,
torn sun bonnet. And this was Jose
phine My mothers namesake, and
ahem my promised wife. She had no
even the good sense to seem mortifie
at her plight, and, when introduced
merely bobbed her head at us, an