The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-02-26

One cold stormy morning we steamed
ont Of the station in no very enviable state
Of mind. ! caught one last glimpse of
Uncle Ben, IS be stood balancing himself
on one foot, in I'm of-no particular &C
coant-to-any body" manner, that made me
want to laugh and cry, all IN breath.
Belle WAS net prone to be emotional, so
she settled herself comfortably among our
wraps, and was soon deeply engaged 10
Troliope's last
/ stared through the tiny window. over
the brown frozen fields, fast disappearing
undera mantle Of feathery snow, and event
ually concluded that we had lost our senses.
After long, tedious ride, we alighted at
Brown Point aad the train with its fam
ing lights, screamed of between the hrok.
en- rocks.
The station WAS small, and the interior
furnished with rough boards, and plenty Of
air holes, through which the snow driftad.
"Be youn's the new school marms ?"
shsepishly inquired blushing stripping
handling his cap as if il was red hot coal.
/ replied IL The Affirmative, and we were
conducted up the snowy road, and into
Mrs. Lofts comfortable farm house where
we were to board. Mrs. Loft gave US
cordial welcome, and l felt quite at home
setting before the glowing fire in the snug
kitchen. 1t was genuine New England
kitchen, with painted floor, and long rows
of bright ito pans glittering in the dancing
freight Mrs. Loft was plump woman ,
with bright eyes, and a pleasant smile :;
tia. seemed made for home and happiness.
At the tea table, we were introduced to
Mr.. Lott and her son "a handsome young
FELLOW, with beard the color of corn silk.
We we've hungry, and never did anything
taste so good as Mrs. LOFTS cream biscuit.
brolled ceicken, golden honey, and fragrant
coffee.
Bright and early the next morning We
were conducted by Mrs. Loft to little log
school house, and introduced to n group of
apple faced children.
! surveyed the snug, comfortable school
room. and bright rosy children with pleased
eycs.
Country school teaching I mentally cen
cluded, must be very pleasant work. Alas
for human expectations
will pass briefly over the next month
and only say that the apple faced children
endesvored IN every possible way to render
Us fit subjects for lunatic asylum.
They fastened pals Of water above the
loors, and we were subjected to shower
! baths at all hours However, we were on
the road TO fame, and did what we could 10
enjoy it,
One cold wintery afternoon we found
ourselves softly locked in the school house
There was Just two ways Of escape
Through the chimney, or trap door. Our
experience q. chimney sweeps being rather
limited, we assembled the steep stairs lead
ing to the loft. The trap door was heavy
with snow, and required III Infinite amount
Of Labor to open it,
The roof vas wet and slippery. and !
soon found myself halt buried il a deem
snow drift. We made no comment, Tut
walked hastily over the fields, and into the
strip Of woods that interviewed between rs
and the comfortable firm house.
Great ilakes of snow blinded our ewes,
and We walked on, on, without comm. to
the opening.
just IS VIC were about to give up in de-
Spnir, a dismal howl broke the Stiffness
We clung together in Mortified amazement.
What ctn 1t lie ?" gasped Belle, trembling.
Sounds like wolf" eentured.
Nv ny you know there isn't one within
three hundred miles" demonstrated Belle
Another prolonged scream made the
woods ring. "Mercy! let's climb tree,
sugges'e Belle and half frightened out
OF my wits, selected slender sapling
and managed to seat myself among the
branches Below, could hear poor Belle
scratching frartlcly up a huge chestnut
tree, and then sliding down again with ex-
traordlnary rapidity.
"What shall do? I can't get up," she
gasped despairingly. There was a sound
of footsteps, and a cry of terror from Belle.
Heartily concluding that she was being
scalped at the very least, screamed in
chorous.
''No danger of you two ever being
troubled with consumption, laughed good
natured voice, which / recognized as be-
longing to Mr.. Loft,
Mr.. Left assisted me down from my
somewhat elevated position, and explained
the hawls BY showing the big tin dinner
horn, which he ha d fondly imagined would
assist him in finding US.
Nothing in the werld ever looked more
cheerful than the snug farm house kitchen
that stormy night. A great fire roared up
up the wide chimney with CHEEKY sound,
and cas-: q deep rudy glow on the dark
beams. The Bright coffee pot danced and
bubb.ed on the glowing Goals. The clear
glass and quaint china sparkled Ike rubies
and topazes II the freight.
Mrs. Loft rubbed our cold, wet feet with
warm motherly hands as we sat slipping her
fragrant coffee In the warm chin ney corner.
'Mrs. Loft do you believe in Woman's
Rights?" ventured to ask, as l thought
dismally of Bloomsbury Square, and kind
old Uncle Ben.
Il can. say as DO, child" she replied,
surveying me kindly through her steel bow
ed spectacles. ri don't calculate that am
wiser than the Lord Almighty. He made
me woman. and l am contented to STAY
one"
"And-ani you don't think men are
are trrants p Belle stammered, Flushing
furicusly.
"Bless me, no !" she reioined, laughing
good humoredly. "Leastways my old man
nas always behaved ike an angel" Mr..
Loft appeared very much of the same
Jpiniou himself as he sat grinu;uo pleas-