River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-15

houses around the mill-dignified by the
name of village and 10 the mill be
yond.
Jem's errand accomplished, the horses
head was turned homeward.
1t isn't such nice day now; the sur
has stopped shining" said Oak.
"That's thrue for We. Its cloudin' VI
for rain, I'm thinkin'," answered hei
companion, scanning the sky, and touch
/ ing his horse with his whip as low pea
of thunder fell upon his ear. The horse
started forward at quick pace, and bore
them swiftly away from the mill to the
village station, and on through it. But
the summer shower came up rapidly, and
they had left the village short distance
behind them when the drops began tC
fall.
80 dearl what will we do nowl' ex.
claimed Oak, in dismay.
We must turn back" answered Jem
an it's a soaking we'll be, thin, before
we reaches house" Then, as a turn in
the road brought them near the railroad
he suddenly changed his plan.
All see there, thin, Miss Oak dear
an empty freight car switched off till that
side track. Well Just climb in till
the storm is over" and, springing out he
lifted the child from the wagon into the
car. Then leading his horse little way
down the road, that il might not be
frightened by passing trains, he fastened
ii, and fastened back to the car; none
too soon, for the rain was falling heavily.
"0h, this is funr' said Oak, quite sat
isfied as long as their was no danger Of
getting wet. Hear how il rattles on the
ROOF, Jem.'
at sounds finer to be rattlin' on the
car than rattlin' on us, Thin" answered
Jem, shaking the drops from his hat
- It's good we're under cover"
"A cover from the tempest" The
words came back to Oaks mind with q
quick remembrance of the picture al
home: and she began to ponder them
over in her dreamy, childish way, and
fancy herself away on she desert plair,
until at last the vision grew dim and con
fused, the lsng lashes dropped lower and
lower, and she had passed from waking to
sleeping dreams.
Jem smiled as he saw it.
"Poor little chicky! it's tired she is,
he said; and, rolling his coat into a pill
low, he laid the bright head gently down
upon it.
The shower proved not a very short one
and. despite Jem's anxiety to be on his
hOmeward way, there was nothing to do
but wait He missed the prattling of mis-
companion, and the sound OF the steadily
falling rain grew mOnOtOnOus. He be-
gan To realize too, that he was tired after
his forenoon work and afternoon drive,
and finally, concluding TO try and rest, as
ne could do nothing else, he stretched
himself upon the floor, drew his hat over
his eyes, and in less than five minutes he
had followed the child's example.
How long he had been lying there
Jem never knew. His sleep must have
been profound; and he was aroused at
last BY his read receiving violent bump.
Startled and half awake, he sat up, and,
rubbing the bruised member, tried TO
recall his scattered senses, and discover
where he was. Certainly that long, low,
rough room was not familiar, and it was
jumping and dancing about in a curious
style, too. He got upon his feet, with
much pitching ard staggering, and look
ed about him. 1t was nearly dark, and
by the dim light he discerned little Oak
still sleeping peacefully. The sight OF
her quickened the treacherous memory,
and brought back the events of the after
noOn-the drive, the storm, and the place
in which they had sought shelter.
The car was going-carrying them
away he knew not where.
As the truth forced itself upon him he
hurried to the door and found it closed
and locked That accounted in a meas
ure for the darkness of the place, though
he fancied it must be growing dark with
cut. Pulling and shaking were in vain
F and he raised his voice in long, loud
shout, that was nevertheless, lost iii the
ian and noise of the gathering train
Only Oak heard it, and started up fright
ened, rs he made his way back to hel
side
"Jem oh Jem, where are wei'
ats mesilf can't be tellin' We that
dear. We're off on a thrip all unbe
knownst to ourselyes-travelin' whereivel
the same takes us" he answered, rue
fully.
"What is it, where are we goingl anC
what makes it dark?' she asked, Devil
dered. Then, suddenly recollecting, ex
claimed: 80 Jem, did the car startl"
"Sure it did, without liver sayin' ID,
yer lave, the Oncivil crather" replies
Jem, with a desperate effort at cheerful
ness for the sake If the child.
In truth, however, the more he reviewe'
the situation the more troubled he grew
To the uncertainty of their own wherea
bouts when the tram would stop, AM
when they would he released, were addet
thoughts of the anxiety of those at home
He thought of the watching, of the pain
full apprehension that would be felt whel
search should he made, and the horse ant
wagon found. and all the fears to whic
he would give rise. Jem grew almos
wild as he thought.
Oak began TO CRY, and his attention wa
drawn to her. Little comfort as he founI
for himself in the prospect before them
he tried to comfort her. Night was fall
ing. and il grew darker, and darker ii
the old car, until they could see each 9th
er's faces no more. Little Oak, wearie'
out with weeping, grew silent at last, ant
nestled closer 10 Jems side. He put hi
arm protectingly around her, and so the
rode on in the gloom.
After time-it had seemed to Jem al
I must NhlAlE al GAlA
jolting and Earring, and the train stopped
lie rushed to the door and knocked an,
beat upon IL, shouting TO be released; bu
noone came. Outside was such puffinl
OF steam, ringing of bells, running TO AM
fro, and so many different calls, tina
amidst all the confusion poor Jem's vOic
was unheard or UNDECIDED. Soon the trai
was in motion again; and he CROPPED hi
way back to the little girl, disappointe
and disheartened. At various stopping
: places Jem renewed hts attempt, but wit
!, like result. ard it seemed to him tha
they did not stop often.
! Must be jist skippin' by stations wild
} out any regard to en-" he muttered.
So the long night dragged on in ros
and rattle and darkness. Despite her ur
. comfortable seat, and the fear and home
} - Il.