Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-08-07
A WOMAN'S COURAGE.

THE hlOod-red light of sunset was mir
roring itself in crimson splashes in the
turbid tides of the great Western river
the blackbird was sounding its sweet
whistle through the old primeval forests
and Jonathan Beers, sitting by his cabin
door. smoked his solitary evening pipe,
and thought vaguely Of the church bells
that used to ring at evening time IN
the far-off Eastern village where he had
been born and brought up, with the roar
of Penobscot Bay in his ears
I'D like to hear them bells once again
afore die unused old Jonathan. But
it amt likely III ever go back now
Even while these disjointed meditations
passed thr0u-h his mind there was a
light step 8n the cabin threshold, and the
rustic OF ,5iify starched pink calico, and
his niece Dorothy came to the door.
Teas ready, uncle DEAR" said she.
"And I've baked q real New England
corn bread, and some ginger-snaps, such
as grandmamna used to make. And see,
uncle, I've sliced up the little red peaches
from the tree you planted yourself on the
south side oI The hill. Israel Esmayne
said il wouldn't grow, but it has. 1mean
to keep d saucerful and little cream for
Israel tonight, Just to sh0n him.
Old Jonathan laid down his knife and
fork
DO you mean that Israel Esmayne is
coming here tonight"
Yes, uncle" said Dorothy, STOPPING
to recover a teaspoon she had dropped
a spoon with an antique silver shell cary
ed on its 1andle-and coming up very
ROSY from the search. "Why not?"
Take care, Dotty. That's ALL"
Uncle, what do you mean?"
L mean, child, that I'd rather lay you
IN your grave in the new burying- ground,
where there's only one mound yet in the
shadow OF the church spire, than to see
YOU married to a man who drinks! That's
what mean, Dottym
Dor0thy's head dropped over her plate.
Uncle, that is hardly fair. Because a
man had d bad habit once"
And has it 7toUf'
The soft eyes glittered into defiant
flash.
'.You are mistaken uncle Israel Es
mavne has not touched drop of ardent
spirits in year. He has promised mt
never to touch it again."
u hope he never will, my girl" said
Jonathan Beers, although his tone betray
ed no verv sanguinc feeling. But it AIM
a safe thing 10 10. It's madness, love o.
Liquor is, and nothing short. It's liable
10 break out at any time. Israel Els
mayne's good fellow enough. | hahn
anything agin him-but it amt sUe!'
Dorothy was silent. Why was it, sh'
asked herself that men were so severe il
Judging one another? Why did they al
WAYS look al the blacklist and least prom
Using side Of everything? Israel had prom
ised her. She believed him. And tina
was enough.
And while she tripped lightly bacl
and forth about her household duties, he
mind was full Of the underlined future
She could see herself, shadowy and unde
fined as IN mirror, moving about ;
bright little home where flowers bloome(
in the easements, and birds sang, and
clock licked, He is comingi he is com
ing!"
cone Of these days' said Dorothy t.
herself as she put away the saucer o
peaches and a little pitcher of thicl
cream on d whitley pantry-shelf-
cone Of these daysn'
She was thinking of the future And oil
Jonathan, smoking his pipe, was livin
in the past.
You've somethin' to do with the raj
road stranger, haven't you2"
Il reckon | have, said Israel Esmaync
indiferently. I'm switchman."
1T don't take up much of your time,
guess?'
Its got TO be looked after Just tn
same, though" said the tall Westerner, a
he lifted the last monster log from the Cal
he was unloading to the thrifty pile at tn
north end Of his house.
what time does the way train com
by"
AT nine o'clock"
do you suppose could 90 to MelleI
Vile and see the lumber dealers there, an
get back to the station again by tina
time?"
Israel looked reflectively at the othe
shore Of the river.
We'll, you might" said he; "but
would be pretty tight squeeze"
I'm good walker" said the stranger
and as he spoke he drew flat poke
flask from his pocket, uncOrked it wit
his teeth, and drank a copious draugh
Israel Esmayne watched him with cage
glittering eyes. like those of some famisl
ed wild animal that scents blood
"Have a drink, friend ?' said tn
stranger, profering the flask Israe
Esmavne shook his head, with set teet
and lividly pale cheek.
Il never drink" said he, hoarsely.
You would, guess, if you could &C
such stuff as this" said the man; soft a
oil and strong as fire. My father impor
ed it, There's not much like it in tn
country Taste, if you don't believe me f!
Israel stood for a moment, hesitatins
Then he cast an eager glance to the RICH
and to the left, as if half fearful lest som
one should see him, and grasping at tn
bottle-drank
The fevered blood mounted to his cheek
a strange sparkle came into his eyes.
''Have you got more like thats" b
whispered, hoarsely, approaching hi
burning lips so closely to the mans ed
that he involuntarily started "More?"
give got another flask, but"
eWill you leave it behinds I'll pa
you a good price for it."
What for?"
Israers eyes fell guiltily. "In-in cas-
of sickness, you know We can't buy sue
liquor here-and it's lonely spot"
"You're right enough there said tn
man, laughing, as he drew out anothe
flask, the mate to the first "Here, take i
Pshaw, friend, put up your purse. Your
welcome to it as gift''
10 ~uo, ronn Mn, ~ fbrnu nh III