Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-19
" the slightest motion the pressure he

gave.
Goodnight, Katyr'
The girl would never have known the
voice as that of her lover
"Good-nightp' Not pulse of feeling
beat in her tones.
Richard turned slowly away and left the
house-but all the while, as he went far
Their and farther from her, his ear heark-
ened for her voice breaking out into re-
pentant cry, but hearkened in vain!
1t was all over with Richard and Katy.
The selfish, tickle and worldly-minded
girl, who was incapable of such love as
glowed in the heart of this young man,
broke off her engagement and in less than
year became the wife of his brother
Jacob, who installed her as mistress of the
"Red Lion" which had been fitted up in
the most attractive style, and was known
as the best tavern for miles around. The
custom had more than doubled since
Jacob became "mine host" and the new
owner was beginning to reap an abundant
harvest of profit.
Katy had her horse and carriage, her
fine clothes, her personal ease and com
fort; pride and vanity were gratified in
she had expected to be- Jacob was diff
ferent man from Richard He was
harder, more selfish, less scrupulous-and
had little hesitation about trarlpiing down
with a ruthless foot whatever came in the
way of his purposes. He had no
tenderness toward his wife, and
never seemed to regard her feelings,
comforts or wishes in what he did. Not
that he was unkind to her-only indiffer-
ent. There were no little condolences be-
tween them-nO concessions on his part
to her wishes and comforts, but a silent
| selfassertion that left her wholly out of
his business affairs, while in all that con-
| cerned her personally he seemed to feel
little or no interest.
No, Katy was not happy. Far from it.
And as the years went past the desire Of
her heart was less and less satisfied.
Richard Cragan took possession of his
mill, and began refitting, improving, and
setting things in order. Ali the light of
his life seemed for while to have gone
out. But his work kept him up. There
were not many in the neigborhood who
| did not call him fool. But, in his own
mind, he never doubted or repented.
'Better so,' he would often say to him
self, than bear the responsibility Of all
that''-meaning the tavern. 81 take no
mans money without giving him what is
back to curse me in after years. No
father or mother can ever say to me,
Where is my boy?-my poor, lost boy,
that was led astray in your bar-room?
No-no-no! | will give the people
bread not poison to consume body and
soul"
The years went on. Jacob Cragan grew
rich; but, alas! how many became poor
and miserable that he might abound in
wealth. Richard had no ambition beyond
his MILL and the thirty or forty acres of
land attached thereto. His first work had
been to put it in good order, and year
after year he made one Improvement after
another, until he had the finest mill in all
that region, and as much custom as he
could possibly attend to.
The miller did not marry. Katy had
been his first and only love; his heart
never opened to another Year after year
he grew better off; but not with the rapid
increase that marked the fortunes of his
brother
But there came a time when things be-
gan to change-when the owner of the
Red Lion" grew less attentive to business
and more given to sporting, and the com
pany of sporting men. A good customer
at his own bar, the evil of his work cursed
him as well as others. His feet drew near
to the pit he had digged for other men,
and the edge was crumbling away from
them.
"The Red Lion is not what it used to
be-" said one and another of its old Gus
toners.
"Jacob is going to the dogs, Pm afraid -
was heard now and then, half coniden-
tally
One day, more than twelve years after
Richard and Katy parted company, the
former, while standing at his mill door,
was surprised to see his brothers wife
coming down the road She was alone
why, Katy!' he said, going out to
meet her, what has brought you away
down here?"
AS he looked into her face, he saw that
it was full of trouble. us anything
wrong?" he added
'1es, everything is wrong" she replied,
her voice choking with the sentence, land
[ want to talk to you"
Richards bachelor home stood close by
th mill, and he went in with Katy.
what is it," he asked with kindly in
terest.
ooh, Richardm She choked, and
sobbed, and then, controlling herself,
went on: ooh, Richard l am almost
heart broken. Things are going to rack
and ruin and if there isn't some change,
We'll not have house over our heads in a
year"
(Which may be the best thing that can
happen" replied Richard. "a tavern is a
curse to all who have anything to do with
it, and the sooner you and your children
are out of it the better.'
Katy covered her face. sobbing and crv
ing in a weak, despairing voice.
Il wish you would talk to Jacob" she
said, after few moments, looking at
Richard with fearful, pleading eyes
Il have talked to HIM again and again;
but he only gets angry"
"4 es-yes-that's just it. / can't say a
word without his flaring up, and-and--
| cursing me! Oh, Richard It's dreadful
| how he goes on sOmetimesr'
81 know. Tavern-keeping has been his
ruin; and | wish he were out of tiff it
| isn't too late
Too later The words sent chill
| through Katy's heart.
ut isn't too late for your boys, if it is
| for their father" Richard added, in a
softer voice.
"But what else can Jacob do?" asked
Katy. eff we give up the tavern, we must
| starve."
Not so bad as that" said Richard
Hell never turn his hand to anything
| else, you may be sure" replied Katy.
Necessity drives men to do great
MANY things"