Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-03-28

with 1t:
"The fact is, boys-Pna married." And
with this lucid explanation, Lot, with
| rapid and somewhat unsteady step, dis
appeared within his cabin.
After few seconds he hastily emerged,
bearing in his hands pack of thumbed
and greasy cards, set of dice, several
worn "dime novels" and an old "Com
ique Songster."
II guess, boys, shan't need these any
longer" he said, flushing painfully-al-
ternately standing on one foot, and then
shifting his weight to the other; $50 |
thought I'd jist clean 'em eout. Some
wimmen folk is pertickerler, ye know. ="
Chris took the articles, and offered to
keep them for him.
"Wal, if ye've mindto. I'd be much
obleeged to ye. 1t mought be possible
barely possible, ye know-they'd come
handy some time" And Lot, his neck
just bending to receive the yoke, looked
forward with vague expectancy to a dim
chance of future release.
| Plying the poor fellows evident dis
comfture, we refrained from joking or
questioning him, and impatiently awaited
those coming events" which had so un-
mistakably "cast their shadows before.
Just at sundown, a novel train was seen
vending it's way toward the camp. Lot
stood in the door of his cabin, while we,
drawn together little in the background,
watched for developments. Ia ad-
vance rode figure in female ap-
parel, perched upon the back of a
gaunt pack-horse, q child, just past the
threshold of infancy, clasped by one
arm, and another, also of tender years,
sitting astride the pillion, it's limited en-
brace aspiring to encircle the maternal
waist. A trife in the rear came rough
mountaineer, in the capacity of guide,
sandwiched between two children of
larger growth, the elder of whom could
not have exceeded the age of ten years.
A monstrous dog of the st. Bernard
breed, formed, successfully, flank and
rear.
Checking the beast within few rods
of us, the woman gave keen, scrutiniz-
ing glance around, which rested at last
fxedly upon the countenance of Lot.
"That's himr' she, exclaimed, in a
strong, decided, though not unmusical
voice, nodding significantly to the guide.
"We'll stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her
waist, down she slid, 1.-THE as a young
girl; and in twinkling had the three
children on their feet, and the youngest
transferred to the arms Of the ten-year-
old.
Lot waited in an apparently detected
mood, while she settled with the guide
from her own pocket, with business-like
dispatch. Then she led her little brood,
followed closely by the dog, up to the
door of our neighbor's cabin.
"Well, Lot, we've come"
81 see you have, Marierr'
And the door closed upon Lot and his
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able
30 arrive at a more correct estimate of the
new conner, who early introduced herself
to us as "Lot's WIFE" She was of fair
complexion, short in stature, and very
slim about the waist. Her thin fiaXen
hair was drawn smoothly back from a
prominent forehead, and fastened in
! tight button-like knot at the back of her
neck. Restless blue eyes, a sharp nose,
thin cheeks, and firm, large mouth,
| filled with even, white teeth, completed
the list of her personal characteristics.
Energy, decision, business, was written
on every lineament of the little wOman's
countenance--spoke in every restless
move of her '1issome" body.
| In the first three sentences she spoke
contract was matured, to the effect that
we, furnishing the wherewith, should
| thenceforward look to her to "keep the
pot boiling" at the average rate of
twenty-five cents head" per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc-
tions of the mother; and were under
control little short of automatical. Even
| Lion, the great St. Bernard, seemed to
know his place, and performed various
useful duties, under the judicious eye of
his mistress andruling spirit.
"Ncver had much opinion of dogs,
anyway" she said, rather apologetically,
one morning, as, distributing our break
fast, she glanced at Lion and the infant,
rolling and gamboling together in the
deep warm sand. "Never could
bear one, until Lion there, then
only a half-grown pup, saved my first
baby. He, just weeny, toddling thing,
got out of the door, and down
to the creek; and tho first thing [ saw
was the dog, bringing him out, strangled
and dripping, in his mouth. | wouldn't
part with that dog for his weightin gold!"
Whatever Lots inmOst mind or secret
repinings, his outward life bore evidence
of a~marked revolution toward the side OF
fruitful and virtuous industry. No more
loiterings at tasks or levity Of demeanor;
no judicial maguate ever clothed himself
in dignity and reticence more severe than
characterized Lot under the new admin
istration, at whose head stood his brisk
little wife.
To us, the advent of Lots wife marked
! the commencement of q new era; whole
| some food, tidy cabin, and, above all,
no more darning of socks, or washing
days. The Wilderness had begun to bios
som. We even attained to, now and then,
the luxury ola 'sbiled shirt" We were
opening up new and richer vein in our
claim, and prosperity and contentment
smiled upon us.
1t was an evil day that dawned upon
| our camp in the gulch, when one of the
boys, ten miles above us, turned in on his
way to the city, almost PROSTATE from a
sudden attack of mountain fever, and
with money to pay note which had be-
come due on quartz mill. He wanted
to know if any of us were going in, as he
could make it worth our while to do the
errand for him, he remaining at our cabin
until the messengers return. AS it hap
pened, we were not intending to go for
several days, our stock of supplies on
hand being considerable, and not having
! enough 0ust 10 pay lor carrying TO the
bank.
Lots wife, however, on learning the
| state of affairs, was observed to commu-
nicate some instructions to the ten-year-
old. who Immediately slit out" in the
direction of his fathers claim. A few
moments, and Lot himself came in:
He was willing to accommodate, and
would go to the city. His claim
wasn't paying him much; and he
might as we'll look about little. All