Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-07-27
BILL WALKERS WIFE.

SOME one knocked at the door 1t
was a wild night-the snow falling
drearily around, the air dying away
and then coming in swift tWirls down
the chimney, bringing with it a bur
den Of snow which Kissed as it touched
the roaring fire. QuietnasS within. A
comely matron was sitting alone by
the hearth, mending a child's frOck.
The three little pairs of shoes living to
dry before the flame told that the quiet
was only a temporary peace, to be
broken after the little brains were re-
cuperated by sleep. Sitting there
alone, the woman heard a knock at the
door. Hurriedly rising, she unlocked
the door and opened it. A mans
voice said:
'Do Bill Walkers wife live here ?"
eyes" she answered. 81 am she.
What do you want with me?"
class, may | come in? ! have news
from Bill"
''From Bill. Come in, sailor, for
the love of Heaven, and tell me what
you know"
Out Of the wintry darkness, into the
light and heat of the pungent wood
fire, stepped big, braWny fellow,
dressed in the rough garb of a common
sailor. He shook the snow from him,
andloOked down into the little woman S
face in close inquiry. She returned
the look with startled expression, as
of one beWildered; and then a new
look came into her face as of compre-
hension.
''Sit by the fire, you must be chilled, >
she said to him.
Il am that, Bill Walkers wife. Are
We all alone?"
Nor she said, pointing to the
three pairs of little shoes.
The man looked at them, and drew
his hand roughly across his eyes.
''Now, sailor" said she, what
your news? ?"
''Bill Walkers wife, | can't tell We
much just now. Ye must bear wi
me. Tn but a rough sailor, and DOM
know hardly how to commence my
yarn
''Oh, it yarn, is it? Well, wait
till put some wood on the fire-ther
commence. She suited the action tt
the word, sat down on a low stool il
the red light from the blazing fire, anC
took up her work. ''NoW | am ready,
said she.
The man seemed a little confused
"Arn't you a little nervous % he
asked.
4 was little afraid before yor
came III. Now I'm steady like
bill Walkers wife, I've that to tel
We which'l not make We easy in yel
mind-BilI's been gone three year
When did We hear from him last %
Five months ago. He was sailing
by Madagascar, and hadn't time tC
write much.
Lass" said the man, solemnly
yell not hear from Bill i'll a hurry
again.
e expect not There amt mucl
use of his writing, seeing as l ca1
never answer his letters, as l dom
know if they will find him
LASS, he'll never write to "
again.
"That's a pity, Tor Bill likes me,
know"
The man looked at her in astonish
ment.
bill Walkers wife, now I'll com
mence my yarn
Eye know five months ago Bill
sailed around Madagascar. | wa
along o Bill. Him and me was fas
chums. Whatsomever he done, tina
done l. Wheresomeyer he went, Their
went l. When he writ to We, saw
that ere letter. When he thought O
We. | knew that ere thought Blu
there's storms at sea, lass! There
storms as make We think o home, an,
all that's near and dear, while Heavel
seems to be fightin' wi the sea, which
uprises to buffet it WI mad waves
There's storms as makes even a sail
or's heart quiet, while his lips Gus
and cuss at the work he's tryin' to do
Who knew more about storms nor Bill
and me? We follered the Sea for mig
twenty year, and never separated.
can't tell We all, for yen feel bad. >
mo, l won't, sailor. ] like to hea
YOU talk. 1t sounds like old times.
.sOld times, lass %
Eyes, when Bill used to sit Their
and tell his awful yarns and try t