Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-09-05


get.
In upon them, unCeremOniouSly as be-
fore, came the little visitor from the oppo-
site house, Dick. He came quite into the
room this time, and looked admirably at
the pictures before he spoke.
"Uncle Pete wants to know can he Dor
rer the loan of half loaf Of bread
"An knife to spread 'em,' added
Nell, Sott0 rare
"Cause he haint set his bakin' DONE"
pursued Dick.
ayes; I'll ask Bridget to get it for you.
Who is sick over at your house?" qucs-
toned Lydia
"Nan."
"And who is Nan; your sstcr2'
No, she's-hcs-- Uncle Pete's her
father, said Dick growing rather con
fused in his efforts TO explain the relation.
ship,
lis she very sick :"
"Prctty bad, Dick answered cheerful.
ly, bcstowing close scrutiny upon the loaf
that was handed TO him. " You don't
make these yer rs big as we do
! "YOu needn't bring it back, Lydia in
formed him pleasantly,
| well he turned on his heel uncOn-
cernedly, and vanished through the door
/ again.
Were you afraid he would repay it2"
| Nell asked, with shrug of her shn4l-
| dcrs
81 should be afraid if he did-with any
! Of Uncle Pete's baking" laughed Lydia.
Dear met | wonder If he does the whole
| cooking for the tamily-sck woman,
/ children and all ~
The next moment the wondering
! thought was forgotten in the pretty effect
| Of new light upon the picture 2he had
| just hung. Then her sister proposed -
Encouragement of the plants, and this was
! accomplished to the satisfaction Of both;
| but by the time the mania for making
| changes in the apartment had expended
| itself, the uttertoOn had vanished also,
and the few thingg' had multiplied until
u respectable number Of them were wait
! ing for the morrow
The curtains having been taken down
must be replaced, and though Bridget
proved successful in washing them, Ly-
dia fastldious young house keeper that
| she was, would trust no Celtic fingers
with ironing and hanging them. Her
zeal and taste exceeded her physical
I strength, however, 50 the curtains looked
! very fresh and cool when they were done,
and She herself very warm and tired. She
Was glad to lie down upon the sofa and
rest for IN hour watching, mean while,
! the little house over the street. The two
! small faces pressed close to the window,
| surveying their new surroundings with
rOund.eyed wonder; the older and palcr
| face farther back In the room, was only
| visible occasionally, IA it was lifted from
! tts pillow and Uncle Pete passing in and
! out in - slow, solemn way, awkwardly
! intent upon various household matters,
| interested, amused and touched her.
! Again she said earnestly to Nell:
! What IN uncomfortable pmcc to be
/ sick in We really must 60 and see her
/ AS soon as we can find chance Per,
| l,aps VIC might help or cheer her in some
| way
They grew quite accustomed, during
| the next day or two, to Dick visits He
| came now upon one crrand, now upon
another, and sometimes with SO
nearly none at all, that Lydia
tanced liking to come was his chief
motive"
How Is Nan this morning. she asked
once, when the black eyes looked in upon
her as she stood by a table covered with
! all the materials for cake making.
! Worse, | guess, like as any way, was
the rather uncertain reply, the eyos too
/ intent upon the process of beating eggs
to q froth, to even look up.
II mean 10 come and see her, some
day"
well" He waited minute and then
volunteered the information, "She looks
over here lots when she's sttin up; she
SAYS she likes to-
,,,.. 81,