The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-01-20

cart-track through the woods, making the
journey rather a tedious one; but by start
ing very early in the morning they calculat-
ed to make all the necessary Investigations
and get back early in the afternoon.
This was the plan agreed upon, and the
time set was the following Saturday. As
soon as it became known in the house the
two youngest boys, Harry and Jack, were
wild with excitement.
"Mayn't we 60, too?' they shouted in
concert; ''Please let US GO. We neve: saw
a single MILL
"a single mill isn't much to see" an
swered their father. Aud, besides you'll be
getting into all sort Of danger
''Oh! no, we won't. Well be so careful,
if you'll let US 60. 1t would be such a nice
ride"
"Why don't you let them 60, father"
said Mrs. Allen, ''They won't take up
much room, and they'll enjoy it SO much }"
"Well, well, said the farmer, good nat
uredly, 'let them go then; let them go. l
SNAIL have to take the double wagon, if they
do, though; and that's big enough for the
whole family
"Why not take the whole family them"
asked Mrs. Allen, half in earnest. 1--we hard
ly been out Of doors the whole winter and
spring, and l should enj oy a ride as we'll
as the boys"
Farmer Allen laughed. "Any more of
you want to go? What would you do with
tie baby?"
''Take her, Of course. You don't suppose
weather like this would hurt her? She
needs the air as much as any body."
care you really in earnest mother"
'Certainly. l don't see why you can't
make pleasuere jaunt of it as well as a
business one. haven't been so far away
from home for five years, and l guess the
house could get along without me for half a
day. Becky can get dinner for the men at
noon, and we should get home by or 3
O clock at the latest"
''Well, just as you say, then. I'm sure
I've no objections. Well have to start pref
ty early, and, instead of having one of the
men 60 with us shall have to drive" So
the matter was settled.
At o'clock the next Saturday morning
the party set out, all in the highest possible
spirits. Innumerable charges were left
with Becky as to what to do abou. dinner
and how to dispose of other household
duties if they should not return at the time
expected. a huge basket Of lunch was
placed under the seat much to the satisfac-
ton of Harry and Jack, who had been too
much excited in regard to the journey to
care for breakfast.
1t was splendid. April morning, and, but
for the brown looks Of the field and the
thinly- leaves trees, would have seemed like
June. The sun shone ard the birds sang,
and everything seemed delightful. The two
boys were constantly finding something new
to admire in the things about them, and
their merry shouts often occasioned sym
pathetic 5000 on the part Of the baby, who
stared with her big round eyes at the com.
monest object as if they were the most won
derful things in the world.
1t was after II o'clock when they reached
the mill. The wagon had been left at the
end Of the road, mile back, the horses
taken out, and a bag of oats emptied upon
the ground for them. They were both
steady going old veterands, used to harrow
and pillow, and would stand just where they
were left hours at o time. The farmer
however, had taken the precaution, after
putting the brides in the wagon, to tie The
halter to one ofthe weels.
The mill stools close down to the water.
edge, and in front and all around it wer,
heaps Of blocks, refuse timber, logs, anC
shavings 1t was not very romantic look
ing place but the children were delighted
with it.
The long ride had gived them all gooe
appetite A rough table was made cut O
some boards laid across couple Of stumps
, and the contents of the big basket wer'
soon placed upon it. Lunch flushed. thu
farmer and son began thier Investigations
while Mrs. Allen and the other childre.
wandered about looking fer arbutus ans
gathering pine cones. There was more Il
= be looked af er about the mill than was ex
pected and it WAS o'clock before the jo
was flushed.
SO busy had they all been that the gradu
al clouding up of the sky had not been not
}, iced. and ii was not until the sudden patter
: ing of the rain began upon the leaves tina
It the little party began TO look about them
: its nothing bnt an April shower" SAT-
d Tom I'VE shall have to get under the shell
!. ter of the mill till i, passes over"
r Don't You believe it. returned tn
# farmer. I'VE have had rain hanging
n around for week past. and we've 60; i
!, now. sure enough. Do the best we can "
d shall be drenched. You run on ahead
!. Tom. and put the horses in, SO as TO b
!. ready by the time we get there. Well b
e light after you.
!. Obedieut to his fathers advice. Tom hur
!, ried rapidly along the path leading 10 til
5 spot where the team had been left. Will
+, the remainder OF the party followed after q
$ fast as they could. The place was reache
n a, last. The wagon was there. the tw
brihles lay just where they were thrown
n but the horses were gone.
d For moment the farmer stood duut
is founded. Then ne began 10 examine thei
n tracks.
N ..l,'s plain enough" at last ne hurried
v said. They've slipped the halter and hav
b started back home. You'll have to see
n you can overtake EN-. Tom. Il take you
re mother and children back TO the mill. I'll
wind is raising. and It is setting in for
m cold raw storm
The rain Gene faster and faster. and
OF the time they had regainsi the shelter
Id the mill they we're thoroughly wet through
Id A FIRE was soon kiadled in the little cracl
Is ed stove used by the shsngle-makers ii
es winter before. and the tine spent in Wal