Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-23
GRANDMOTHER,s STORY.

Now, dear grandma, do tell us abou
that dreadful adventure of yours, on
West. We are dying to hear it. all o.
u.s.
1T don't seem quite the thing to pu
such frigbtful ideas into your young
heads grandma replied, stroking Mary:
brown curls as she spoke. Your aunt
Lucy shouldn't have mentioned it. But
since since sue was so foolish, an you've
cot your curiosity raised so,-'
You think il is best to CRAFTY it,
cried Mary, clapping her hands; $40 do
|. Now, girls, don't dare to speak a
word; I wouldn't for the world miss a
syllable"
1t was about two years after;my mar
riage,' began grandma, with little
shake of der head at the rougish speak
err, that the adventure as Mary calls it
took place. John and l went West, di
rectiy after our marriage. We wsie
pretty poor, both of US. Not hut what
our families stood rs high as any in the
village added the old lady, drawing her.
self up little. NV father, he was dea
con in the Baptist Church there. But,
rs | was saying, we were not very well
off. and John and had little to depend
upon but our own heads and hands. But
he was q smart fellow, and | was strong
and healthy, and used to housework.-
Work was more the fashion then than
it is nowadays. Mauy's the large wash
ing my sister and l have got through
with in the time one of your Biddies
would have spent in fretting over it
The girls laughed merrly, and Kate,
glancirg slyly up into the handsome old
face, said, You were very pretty, as
well as smart, grandma, or | am much
mistaken.
oh, yes said Mary demurely, Il
have heard of those 'peschy cheeks,
and violet eyes, and that lovely light
brown hair. But. oh dear! We shat
never come to the adventure, at this rate
Girls, do be quiet
Well, as | was saying, we had moved
out West. We owned house--a very
small one-and quite a piece of ground
and by degrees we grew better off. AT
ter long time, Sairy Henderson came
to live with us-the first hired girl WEI
had since our marriage. She was tall
raw boned thing. nigh on to six fee
high, should imagine. She was /,
smart. tidy body, and John liked her,
But never could, not for anything sh'
| -. ..;l sba ,-aa rotba, oIo.a .,,nntt, n
than otherwise--but on account of quee
little ways she seemed 10 have about her
But. thinking this might be fancy, anc
not being apt to give way TO my feelings
| said nothing TO John about it.
When my baby (your father. Katie
was six months old, Sairy had had beer
with us then about three weeks. Johl
received letter from his brother in th
big city. He wanted to see him on busi
siness important to John. as we'll rs I
himself. We both felt badly; he'd scarce
ly left me day since we were married
but there seemed no help for it. But b
arranged that should have neighbo
tine nearest only lived two miles of
| RHioI COuio ouN Ss"1 VIII uos hAO iuois
ted on this, though | laughed we'll q
him, saying l WAS not mite afraid.
Well, be left US, and week passe
by, and by that time / began to fe,
most as secure, with only Sa;ry an ou
selves in the house. IS when a neighbc
came to stay with us. For this happene
twice, and when Mr.. Wilson sent wor
for the third time that be couldn't com
and who should be send instead.
laughed and said: oh. never mind.-
Sairy's as good as a man, any day; 81
can handle gun, and, fancy. cou
throw Mr.. Wilson, 10 a minute, if 81
tried
So that was settled; and Sairy, bal
and l were left alone. After making g
ery.hing secure downstairs, we came |
TO bed. Sairy's room was at one end
the passage, and mine at the other.
c never was one of your nervo,
women, going into connirtion fits. if
mouse runs across them. But. someho
that night did feel nervous and restles
and, after nursing Willie and layi