Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-04-15
TRIUMPHANT Az LAST.
Romance Of the New Northwest.

IS to be found in all he Upper Mis-
sissippi Valley, stood neat little cot
tage on a prominent bluff overlook
ing tho broad stretches Of bottom
land, and giving a fine view Of the
wide, winding river. The windows
and doors of this cottage were draped
in vines, among which the morning
glory and the honey suckle were the
most luxnriant; while on each side
OF the < avelled walk that led from
the from portico 10 the door yard
getr grew cius ers Of pinks sweet
william and Lark nnrs Tns house
was painted white, with very green
window shutters old fashion to be
sure, but cozy, home-liko and tasty
withal.
About the hour of six on Monday
morning, in the month of May, foe
looking lad Of twelve years walked
slowly up the path which led from
the old orchard to the house. He
was dressed in loose trowsers Of botr
lie green jeans, q jacket of the same,
heavy boots and we'll worn hat.
His face was strikingly handsome,
being fair, heatbfuI, intelligent and
bright, though now it wore an indie
scribable, family visible shade, as of
innocent perplexity or possibly
grief.
The mistress of the cottag was at
the time in the kitchen, preparing
for tn weeks washing. She was d
middle aged, stoutly built, healthy
matron, sandy haired and slightly
fIeckied. blue eyed, and quick in her
movements. Usually smiling and
happy, it was painful to see how
strangely shenow struggled to master
the emotions Of sadness that constant.
u arose in her bosom like spectres
tba would not he driven away.
A bright eyed, golden-haired maid
en- OF sweet sixteen" was in the
breakfast roc m, washing the morning
dishes and singing occasional snatches
from y mournful dirty. 1t was sad
- toed 10 see a cloud of regret and
halt suppressed anguish in that fair
yourg face, dlmming the earnest
sparkle Of those usually merry eyes.
Mr. Coulter, the head of the family,
owner Of the cottage and Its lands,
stood near the center of the sitting
room, gazing fxedly and sadly at the
picture of a sweet child holding u
white kitten in its lap, which hung
on the wall over against the broad
fire place 4 look Of sorrow betray.
cd Itself even in the dark, stern vis-
age Of the man Occasionally he
drew bis grizzed mustGche into his
mouth and bit iiiercely. Evidently
he was chatting under some unspOken
sorrow.
The cottage windows were wide
open, as is the Western custom in
iue weather, and the fragrance Of
the spicewood and sassairas floated
in on the flood-tide Of pleasant air,
while from the great locust down by
the yard fence fell the twitteing pre-
Jude TO "a fnch's song. A white line
of fog above the river was plainly
visible from the west windows, and
through the feecy veil focks of teal
IA wood ducks cut swiftly in their
downward sweep 10 Jha water 4
golden flicker sang and hammered
ia the g,te-post the while be eyed i.
sparrow-hawk that wheeled aud
screamed high overhead.
The lad catered the kitchen and
said to his mother, in voice full of
tenderness, though hardly audible:
"Ma, where's pap 2"
"ln the front room, Billy" replied
the matron, solemnly.
Passing.into the breakfast room,
Billy looked at his sister, and flash
OF sympathetic sorrow played back
and forth from the eyes of one of
those to the other; then be went
straight into the sitting-room and
handed something to Mr.. Coulter.
The man looked AZ his boy proud
ly, sternly, sorrowfully. The lad
looked into his fathers face sadly yet
fearlessly, horoically. 1t was liv-
ing tableau no artist could reproduce
"Bill, said the father, gravely, II
took your mother and sister 10 church
yesterday"
Yes, sir"
"Apd left you al home 10 see to
thipgs."
Yes, sir" replied the boy, gazing
out through the window at the tlieker
as it hitched down the gate post aud
finally dropped into the grass with a
shrili chirp.
And YOU didn't feed the pigs :"
80 NJ! Oh, sirl Geeroody! Oh,
mel Oh, dearl Oh, dear p
The slender scion Of an apple tree
81. and fell in the hands of Mr..
Coulter; and up from the Jacket OF
the lad like incense from an altar,
rose q cloud of dust, mingled with
the nap of jeans. Down in the young
clover of the meadow the lark anu
sparrOws sang cheerily, the goats
and tiies danced up and down in the
sunshine, the fresh, soft leaves of the
vines rustled, and all things seemed
to rejoice-save the couple engaged
10 the earnest discussion over the
failure of the younger OF the twain
to convey q sufficient supply of nu'
triment to the anxious and insatiate
swine.
Bhly's eyes turned uD toward tt
face of his father in appealing agony
but still with sharp hiss the switch
cut the air, falling steadily and mer'
cilessly upon his shoulders. AnC
along the green banks of the river
the willows shook their shiny finger.
at the lifting fog, and the voices o.
children going 10 school smote the
sweet May wind.
ooh, pap, l won't forget the pig
no more I"
Il don't mean you shalll' senten'
uousiy responded the stern but CO.
quent ii her,
! 4