River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-18
Annals Plan.

the fire, and her pretty red mouth was
compressed with a determined express
sion
Mr.. Gracey's head was shocky and sandy
| now, but if one had seen his portrait as a
young man it would have shown a dark
auburn which lay in waves, like Annals
own, and in the face strong resemblance
TO hers.
She resembled him in her strong will
too, and their opinions clashed oftener than
was quite agreeable to the gentle mother,
who wanted everything TO go on so
smoothly.
This time it was Annals beau-indeed,
her accepted lover, who had once had the
| fathers CONSERVATIVE was the cause OF
the trouble.
There was a dance over at Westfield
Corners, as it was called, and Anna was
determined to 90 with her lover, Richard
Landon, and her father was determined
she should go with city cousin who was
visiting them, in their own trap. And
| if he could have seen letter from Rich
ard, which was snugly hidden in Annals
pocket, he might have been more deter
mined than he was.
Father, you never once objected to
Richard till you had that dispute with his
father about the land" said Anna.
"Maybe mott replied Gracey, straight
ening up his tall figure; shut I've vowed
since to have nothing to do with the
whole set of Landons. Like father, like
son. Nobody knows how Richards go
ing 10 turn out. I've made up my mind
l won't have him poking round here any
longer"
"But, father,we had your consent once"
Don't care if you did. | take it back
that's all. Now, there's your Cousin
Tom wants you as bad as Richard does
why can't you take him, like a sensible
girl and be satisfied"
Father nobody thinks much of Thorn
as Wildly but you. i don't believe half
the tales about his being so well off.
never will marry him, tell you"
"Well see about that. AS to this
dance tonight, you can either let Tom
drive you over, or stay at home"
1t was on Annals lips to say she would
stay at home; but Richards plans and
rleadings spoke for him.
"I'd rather go with my cousin than
stay at home, she said, quietly.
"Very well then, you can 60, said
the father.
Anna turned and left the room, but
there was something in her air all the
morning which made the old gentleman
very suspicious.
/ So at dinner he remarked:
~ believe I'll run over to the Corners
and see the young people'sfrolic tonight
| reckon they Won t turn me out if don't
dance myself,and | haven't seen a young
folks party these twenty years. Yes,
think I'll saddle old Aleck and ride
over
''Do, Uncle that will be joilyw said
Thomas Willy, while into Annals face
| there stole look of blank CONSERVATION
which did not escape Mr.. Gracey, and he
slyly chuckled TO himself:
AHA! reckon I've matched 'em this
/ time"
But Annals wits were busy, too, while
she was helping her mother wash the din
ner dishes. Suddenly, as they stood put
ting away the last shining tins in the tidy
pantry, Anna caught her mother by the
4 shoulder, and said:
/ "Mother. have your consent TO marry
Richardl"
"Ics, dear daughter. Richard is worthy,
| we know"
and you don't want to see me marry
| Cousin Thomss!"
"Oh, Anna, had rather see you
deadm
"Well, my dear little mother / don't
think I'll die, and know 7 won't marry
cousin. But now, mother, I'll tell you a
secret. can trust your
Yes, Anna"
swell, dear, Richard wrote me to meet
him at the dance tonight. Then we
would slip away, go over to Westfeld
and get married tomorrow morning.
| What do you say, mother dear!"
The good little woman began to cry, but
she said:
"Do as you please, Anna; can't blame
you. The life your father leads you is
pretty hard, know But oh, Anna, your
father is going to the Corners!"
Yes, mother, on purpose to watch us;
so Richards plan won't work. But /
have another one. / can count on your
consent, dear, and good word will faith
er afterward.'
Yes, yes" sobbed the mother.
"That's dear, good mother" said An
ma, kissing her. Don't think don't APP
preciate our sacrifice, for do. And aft
er all's done I'm sure father has too much
sense not to make the best of it."
"lll do my best for you, dear"
81 know you will, mother! / won't
tell you my plan, for it might get you in
to trouble. And / must get to work now,
for | have no time to LOSE"
Anna found a chance to send her lover
a little note, which contained only these
words:
Dear Richard: / cannot 90 to the
Corners. But meet me at Wills's Half
way House about eight o'clock with a
fast horse and chaise. Don't be aston
ished if | come alone, but only be ready
for me quick. Anna.
And her messenger brought her lovers
answer, written hastily upon scrap
of her own note, and simply saying
All right, and all ready. Richard.
Anna was dressed and in good spirits
when her father rode away at night, and
very soon Thomas drove the light chaise
round to the door and helped her TO her
seat, quite delighted with her gracious
friendliness, for his cousin Anna was not
always ready TO show him much favor.
1t was a glorious moonlight night,
every leaf and twig showing against the
white snow.
They rode gayly along for mile or
two, and Anna took special pains TO
make herself agreeable, until she thought
it was about time to set her plan work
ing.
Suddenly. on pretense of arranging the
rug, Anna, stopped over aud dexterously
dropped her muff into the snow.
She gave light scream.
oh! I've dropped my muf, and 1t was
new, Christmas present from father.
DO please get out and get it. can hold
the horse"