Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-09
WHEN THE WOOD WAS OUT.

"A NEW YEAR SToRY.-BY MARIA r. Oakley.
SIx O'Clock of Sunday evening in a
New England village. Outside, the snow
falling silently and heavily; indoors, a
stove, keeping all warm in tidy little
parior. 4 stove, with it's black funnel
stuck through the fire board that
covered the broad, deep, old-fash-
toned Fireplace, where our grand
fathers could afford to burn great,
cheerful logs, was not very enliven-
ING object; but Bessie Paige, sitting by it
and looking in through the open door of
it at the little bright-red Goals, couldn't
have looked happier if her eyes had rested
on mounting flames and cracking wood
She sat with head little on one side,
and dreamy, faint smile on her lips, and
in her eyes a wondrous depth of JOY.
Her brother, boy of ten years, who
was coming a lesson-book at her side,
1ooked Up into her face for a moment,
and remembered verse the clergyman
had read that morning: "And they saw
his face like the face of an angel"
Bessie went to the window and watched
the snow. The boy came quietly to her
side and stole his hand into hers
GLOW thick it lies, Jim; and how mys-
steriously it comes, like our blessings from
Heaven; and how it drifts, fast, fast, 1t
blows to the west, jim. Sometimes I
night. i can stay here tonight, and wait
so gladly. The pretty, soft-fngered
snow
she seemed to be talking to herself, not
to the boy. He looked up little won
deringly
''You didn't use to like the snow. Bes-
sic"
She smiled and put her hand on the
boys head, looking into his face 81
don't mind it tonight, dear. have such
. dear, good brother to clear the path for
me in the morning. | don't know what
1should do without you, Jim. You're
such a comfort"
Il shall be able to do more and more
Tor you, "a | grow bigger, Bessie. l
c0uld take such good care of you"
II shan't ask you to do that always,
Jim" she answered, with another little
smile.
A sharp gust of wind blowing in
thfOugh the crack Of the not very tight
window made the boy draw her away
from 1t to The stove again.
can keep you from taking cold, now
Bessie
BESSIE stood on tiptoe to look at herself
IN the mirror that hung above the high,
old-fas hio0ed mantel-piece. The late
Mrs. Ialge was tall woman, and the
house mad been refurnished for her con
vyenlence when DR.. Paige brought her
homes second wife
Dr. Palge was one of those impractical
men OF unstable talents, and hy some
queer turn Of fortunes wheel he found
+ himself and his books settled in this little
New England village, to preach, for a
very small salary, sermons far beyond
the appreciation of his hearers, who, in
deed, thought him rather stupid preach
er, bat loved him and bore his sermons
Tor the sake of his social qualities and
charitable heart. His first wife. Bessies
mother, was city woman; pretty, del
acate and cultivated, loving her husband
20 devotedly as to make it small sacri-
nee to her to give up ali society of her
squalls but his and with broad human.
Ay and simplicity that made her not hold
nerselt aloof, but find many warm friends
anong the excellent village people. And
Mhen, N few years, she passed aWay
ron among them, leaving her little girl
oniy two years old then, there was not
one IN the village who did not count him
or herself chief mourner.
III. RACES second wife was a village
ocautE. 1t was said that she married
MM, ana that he had little to do with i,
uAcept 10 returnsh his house for her. Be
La as 1t may, she was good wife tc
I'm, ana taught Bessie many a house
pc economy and housewifely accom-
nSnment, and gave her the little brother
.ne loved so dearly. She was one of those
s'iess, strong, energetic women, who dc
oGe e 'han any one human being can dc
i've, and suddenly she broke dowr
no died; and, last of all, her husband
~