Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-02-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
MISS ALTHEA'S RUBBERS.

expected you'd have as much as two webs
% cloth out by this time Either you ain t
going to have another weddin' this fall, or
mebbe the sheets and pillow cases are all
made, said Miss Althea Pratt, sliding in
at our south door, in a halfway manner
peculiar to her, as if she could never fully
commit herself to anybody's company.
Three weddings in three years ought to
last long time, said mother, not without
dash of pride in the matter
This is such dreadful marrying fami
ly. l thought you might have found some
body for Sylvie by this time
" really haven't thought to look for
anybody, The other girls slid into mar
rage, and homes of their own, almost be,
fore knew it,"
50 Sylvie amt quite ready for her
side: may be she needs little pushing |
thought Id just drop in to tell you that
ITS the fashion to make pillow cases rather
skimpin', and then have great square GOV
crs, rutfed all round and a big letter
worked in the middle You have to take
en- off, and fold 'em up very carefully, be-
lore you go to bed When was in Bos-
ton, brother Liphalct's wife had 'em with
big l. III the middle; il might have stood
for Pratt or pillow, couldn't say, for a
surety which, and | wouldn't ask her for
no money"
Miss Althea is perfectly aware that |,
otherwise Sylvie, am standing at the pan,
try window, out of her sight but within
hearing of every word she says. She
knows, too, that Steven Frazar is leaning
"ganst the window sill, outside, taking
eggs from my hands as pass out to him
half dozen at time. He always takes
our eggs to market with those from his
own farm, because mother is a widow. and
has to depend on neighborly kindness for
such small lifts toward living,
Steven is very serious and business-like
over counting the ercs hut his lins cuiyer
"A little with merrmcnt over Miss Althea's
pillow cases. He is truly very handsome
| have tried for wears to convince myself
that he has the cornmonnlocc look of ali
the other men | know-my sisters' hus
bands as well as the rest--meu that don't
care TO look at twice. but can never do
it, Stevens eyes have a shining depth.
his features mobility, and a story telling
quality that can find in no other face.
tAink Miss Athea is funny. too and why
can't he look up and share his anprecia.
ton with meY But he never does ,ook up
or look down when expect il he is the
most disappointing of men.
"Sylvie" said Miss Athca, pu ting her
head into the nantry like s,me long.
necked bird, ii forget lust where YOU
come in the family. Is it you or Sophie
that's twenty fiveY"
Neither" said /, with a needless snap
In my voice. Sophie is the eldest of us
all, and she is just twenty four
Well, to be sure, you have all such a
mature look, So settled down like, that it's
hard to guess yolr ages"
A little gust of wind banged the door in
Miss Altheas face lust at this point of her
discourse. and she seemed To recognize thc
hand of fate for she suffered it to remain
shut,
"By the way" said Steven, looking no
when he had laid the last egg carefully in
the basket, when shall we have our wed.
ding, Sylvie?"
A great lump rose in nv throat, the row
of milk pans swan before my ewes.
Not till we have had the wooing, if
you please | managed TO say. in a steady
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