Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-07-10

Anu SuCH SWdflnS o. mosquitoes
added Arabella.
Il am sure we have mosquitoes enough
in town." said Frank quickly; "and as for
kerosene oil, I'll agree to keep the lamps
in order.'
Let gon' said | with growing zeal.
"Let'sr' echoed Oracle And so over
whelming were the arguments we brought
to bear on Arabella, that by the time the
discussion ended she had yielded her con
sent; and before month went by. we
found ourselves actually at housekeeping
in picturesque cottage not far from DeX-
ter Station As for the locality of Dexter,
it will not be indicated on the maps vet
awhile, there being not more than six
houses in the place, all told but for that
we liked it none the less. OF course there
were incoveniences, especially for the first
two days, when, owing to the non-arrival
Of our kitchen-ware and china, we were
somewhat puzzled to know how to furnish
forth our board, but they only served to
add zest to the enterprise.
Jolly, isn't it," said l, presiding as
gracefully as possible at battered peach
can in place of a teapot.
1T is just fun" said Grace, using her
fingers for fork as she helped herself to
sardines.
Il wish you could find some more lady
like word, my DEAR" remarked Arabella.
calmly slipping her tea from terra-cotta
vase, and managing to maintain her native
dignity in spite of the fact of her being
seated on an inverted wash-tub
Jolly doesn't half express it," said
Frank, taking lingering looks at the land
scape as she buttered her bread with a
penknite; sit is blessedness itself;' and
when we were fairly put to rights" even
Arabella was ready to agree with her.
One day it was found necessary for some
OF US to go to town to order household
supplies, and as Grace had headache and
Frank was still too much in love with the
country to care for sight of the CITY, Ar
abella and decided to take the morning
express and make the needed purcha es,
We had fully expected to be at home be-
fore evening, but in one way and another
we were detained until there was barely
time to catch the six O'Clock train 1t was
only an hours ride, however, and with a
delicious sense of rest, we shook off the
dust of the city and gave ourselves up so
thoroughly to the pleasant anticipations
OF soon being home, that we scarcely
heard the stations called.
I'VE must be near Dexter" said Ara
bella at last, rousing from a state of semi
unconsciousness, and picking up her hand
ba2.
Beg pardon. ma'am," said voice be-
hind us, "but we have just left Dexter"
at can't be possible" cried I, rushing
trantically to the rear Of the car, and men
tally wondering why in the world we had
not taken the opposite side where we
might have seen the name, even if we had
In To hna coll lodi. Int
unavailing, for surely enough there was
Dexter receding in the dim distance like
a dream of the past
We must stop the train We must do
something's | calculated, turning to Ara
bella, who, after properly thanking our
informant, had followed me at her usual
dignitied pace; but her undisturbed air
eXasperated me, and without waiting for
an answer, | hurried to the other end of
the car in search of the conductor.
There's no help for it, miss" said that
polite official. 'I'll put You off at the
next station, that's only three miles on,
and you can easily find some one to bring
YOU back"
Small consolation it was, but as the last
uptown train had already passed us, there
was no alternative; and presently we were
standing forlorn and desolate on the plat
form of the Bedford station, three miles
from home and the shades of night"
gathering about us with unwelc0me ra-
pidity. Two unkempt boys, with their
hands in their pockets, stood staring stu
pidly at us. Dun know, num- said one
Ofthem in answer to our anxious inquiries,
there amt nobody round here as keeps
bosses, 'cept farmer HILL" and having
pointed out farmer Hills house, they
staggered away and left US to our own
devices. tiresOme tramp across
plOwed field brought us at last to the
farmers door, and here it was that we
were told to walk in and make ourselves
"to hum" till Ralph" could come to our
rescue. Five minutes later the old man
reappeared, tanning himself vigorously
with his broad brimmed hat
Here's Ralph Strong he'll take YOU
over" And this was our Introduction, for,
as he spoke, a spring wagon drew up at
the gate, and the bronzed-faced driver
with gallant bow informed us that he
was at our service. Evidently farmer
HiIl's nephew, whatever might be the
state of his "narves,' was a man of intel
ligence and refnement-we made that
discovery before we were a mile on the
Way-and 50 entertaining did he prove
that, tired and hungry as we were, we
were half sorry when the ride came to an
end Frank and Grace, alarmed at our
long absence, We're watching for us at the
gate, and Arabella, with gracious cordial
ity, introduced the stranger, explaining in
an aside who he was. OF course, we
invited him in, and though, in consid-
Grafton of the lateness Of the hour, he po-
iitely declined, he promised to do himself
the pleasure of calling in a few days.
"He is very gentlemanly and agreea-
bic" said Arabella, with emphasis, as
seated at the tea-table we narrated the
events of the day; and it must be con
fessed that we were all rather elated at
the prospect of having our solitude in
vaded now and then by this same gentle
manly and agreeable person.
beyond the simple fact that he was
farmer Hills nephew from college we
face and voice were of themselves Sufti-
cient to inspire confidence, and before
many weeks went by we had come to re
gard him as our right-hand man. Ara
bella consulted him on all matters of
business, and Grace and | were constantly
asking his advice about gardening, while
Frank, who had set her heart on rails
ing brood of chickens, held animated
conferences with him as to the best ways
of promoting the health and happiness Of
her teathered pets; at least when the two
sat for half an hour at time on the back
porch IN the twilight watching the little