Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-27
CONFIDENTIAL.

property for private usage. I cannot call
TO mind the time when [ was not some
body's c0nfdante, the business beginning
as far back as the winter ran down to
Aunt HalIy's to receive my birthday
party OF sweet or bitter sixteen, as will
appear.
Ralph Romer was the first to spread the
news of my arrival in the village among
the girls Of my own age. Ralph Romer
it was who had braved the danger of
<brier and brake" to find the bright
holIy-berrles with which Aunt Hally had
decorated the CHEEKY little parlor for the
occasion, and it was with Ralph Romer
[ danced the oftenest on that famous
night.
Wouldn't just step out on the porch
a short little minute" he whispered as
he came around in the rear of Aunt
Hally 10 bid me goodnight, ending the
whisper, according to the style of all
boy-lovers, I've got something to tell
you"
The door stood open and conveniently
near, and | suppose wanted to see how
high the snow had drifted since dark;
and, better reason still, | couldn't afford
to let Ralph take my hand off with him;
and SO had to 60 out on the porch Just
long enough to get it back, while he said
41GltG EkbblC SiIC lofSo IlC,
we are going to correspond when | go
back 10 college; and as you know all lovers
and their sweethearts must have con-
fidante to smuggle letters and valentines
across tire lines, we have both chosen you
for ours. Oh, was SO afraid you would Mt
come -
I found the snow had drifted-well,
| don't believe | knew how many inches.
/ have not promised recital of all my
auricula- experiences. Enough to say,
that in time I settled down into the con-
Viction that 1t was my special mission to
De the receptacle Of other peoples secrets;
and they seemed determined to convince
me that they thought so too.
SO, when Mr.. Tennent fremont hap
pened along and became a candidate for
auricul&T favors, like tradesman who
has gained the self-sustaining ground
which mas made him Indifferent as to
custom-seGking, | could afford to be en-
tirely Independent about giving a pre-
vious promise to keep his secrets for him
and go, dear reader, they are as much
yours as mine.
When MY brother introduced him into
our family circle we took him to be a
Northern college -chum, met with during
siust--eturued-fro trip to Washington;
for it was in those DAYS when Southern
hospitality was as much appreciated as it
was literally bestowed. Il was a good
time for q modest stranger to come among
new faces We were in the flutter and
hustle which wedding in the family
makes, and i gave him an opportunity
TO get used to us, and left us none to OBJ
serve him GDpieasantly much
But when the wedding was over, and
[ had made up nay week of lost sleep,
and he and nv brother had kept them
selves out Of the way on a camp-hunt,
for my mother TO do up her week Of house
cleaning-.J is here that our story proper
begins
As we we're leaving the breakfast-tabe
one morning my brother caught my dress
sleeve, and, dropping in the rear of Mr.
Tennent fremont, allowed him to find
the ver&ndah Really, sis, | don't think
you are Going the clever thing, quite"
How
why, IN not helping me to entertain
my friend"
Getting tired of him?"
mo, ne isn't one of that kind; but, tx
tell the truth | am too busy Just now te
give him he whole of my time"
Too busy turning your own cakes
Nes, I see "
(Which IS no more than my sister il
doing; which reminds me to say that J
e. viii cal this morning, he desired me tC
inform you. But, dear sis, we must not
be so absorbed in our own love matters as
TO give my friend only moiety of our at
tention, Tor, poor fellow he has one OF
his own"
$50 I an TO bore him for the sake OF
relieving you, Is that my role 2"
"Now stop. He simply wants lady
C0nfidante."
I broke away from my brothers hold
and ran up 20 my room to see if all was
right for my expected caller, givin~ my
right ear a pull, by way of saying to Ia,
victimized organ, "You are needed
And what think you I did next Got
out my embroidery material bag, and put
II in order for action at moments warn
ing. | was prepared for q reasonable
amount If martyrdom pertaining to my
profession, but was always an econo
mist Of time, and not another unem.
pioyed hour would yield to the selfish
demands of my forthcoming job.
The next day was one of November
driZzie, the house confinement of which,
my adroit brother declared, could only
be mitigated by my presence in the sit
dng-room until the improved state of the
weather allowed their escape from it.
was in The habit of appropriating such
weather 10 my piano, ana L mad not
touched il for month. Whether Mr.
Tennent Tremonts nerves were in a
sound STATE OF not, | was determined to
practice until twelve. But when he came
in from the library and assisted me in open
ing the instrument, | was obliged to ask
him what lie would have. They were my
first direct words to him, our three weeks
guest.
''Oh, Summer Night is favorite," he
said.
gave him the song, and then executed
the long variations; then, dropping my
tired hands in my lap, inquired whether
he liked vocal or instrumental best.
'Not any more of either, just now,
thanking you kindly for what you have
given me- he said. ''Have you ever been
i confdante. Miss -?"
THAT is NY vocation, Mr.. fremont /
replied, grasping nay bag.
'Wh!chg your embroidery Or"
Both combined" | tried to say pleas
antly, "as on this occasion. am at Mr..
Tremont's service;' and I threaded my
tapestry needle.
without a predatory word he began
Years before your young heart was
awakened 10 the sweetest ioy. the Wild
est VICE. loved"
''And single yeti" I exclaimed as T let
my hands drop and glanced I'D at his
brown hair, TO see if ali those wears had
left their silver footprints there