Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-13

,
summer rolled around-one whole year
| of ministerial life gone forever, and Mr..
Smith still minated.
Aunt Eunice wrote that "report pro-
nouuced Miss Wheeler an incorrigible
firt" That / will ascertain from her
own sweet self, and that right speedily
too, thought the enamoured rector.
Very soon an opportunity offered, for
a grand picnic came off in piece of
woods outside the village. Mr.. Smith
and Antonio stole away from the com
pany, and in shady nook, by the riv-
er's bank, found romantic, rustic seat,
made by fallen monarch of the forest.
Antonio, with girlish glee, threw off
her seaside hat, and untying gay rib
| bon, allowed part of her golden tresses
| TO flow loOsel y over her shoulders, while
the remainder formed braid encircling
| her head
How beautiful she was-with her pink
cheeks, fair complexion, and classic
features say nothing of the dark,
violet eyes which shot such thrilling
chances from beneath their lashes, at the
reciprocating hazed orbs of her hand
some pastor. Twas all up with him
poor Mr.. Smith.
ebony" he said softly. She nodded,
" Tony, that Grecian style of couture
suits you admirably. Just now you
carry out my idea of the Queen of the
Peerless; these abundant locks, how
magnificent and silky they are" and he
touched them reverently with the tips of
his fingers.
She drew back with a startled look,
butreplied:
Eyes, nature has been bountiful to
me, and [ like to arrange my hair in
this style to show my friends and critics
that it is all my own"
" And really growing on your head,
too" he observed. No wonder that
you are proud of it in these days of
shams."
Eyes, indeed [ hate everything that
is false" she replied.
"Then, as an opposite, you must love
the true. Tony, what do you say to low
ing''--
The sentence remained unfinished,
for the sound of voices and merry laugh
ter, apparently very near, caused them
to rise quickly in evident embarrass-
ment- and as Antonio rose, the-sway-
lily DIdICl Vi Ill llCt 81 SUD- toIh
of long hair and held fast.
Mr.. Smith, springing for the branch,
reached it with difficulty and drew it
towards him, but while endeavoring to
disentangle the rebelliOus lock, his hand
slipped, up flew the branch, carrying
with it that wealth of golden hair
whole and entire, leaving the young
lady, not exactly scalped, but minus her
wig.
There she stood for an instant, afford
ing Mr.. Smith a glimpse of her totally
bald head
Plying her modification he picked
up the golden treasure and politely as
sisted her to replace it, just as the pic
nicers came sauntering up in search of
their missing pastor.
Fortunate Mr.. Smith for he was at
once disenchanted, and forever cured
of his fancy for golden hair; keen
sense of the ludicrous, too obliged him
to conceal a smile, as it occurred to him
that if Absalom had worn a wig how
fortunate it woald have been for him
when placed in a similar predicam ent.
However, he kept his own counsel and
returned home wiser man.
Very soon afterwards his vacation be-
gan, and going straight to the little
: brown cottage, it was not many weeks
before he found out that he had been
blind, and that cousin Kitty had grown
taller and more beautiful, and that in
spite of a profusion of dark brown
curls, he asked her to become his wife,
t but not without first satisfying himself,
by an impolite but vigorous pull, that
the curls were growing fast upon her
, pretty head.
Lucky Mr.. Smith, for Kitty accepted
him, but it set tongues wagging when
she was duly installed in the new par
sonage, for of course she was well mated
for carrying off the coveted prize, but
she found fast friend and ally in good
Mrs. Perry
When an epidemic ragged in Punck-
muck, by her patient endurance and
skillful nursing of the deserted sick, she
won all hearts.
Robert" she said one day to her
husband and pastor in a doubling tone
of voice. do you think my curls, if
they are natural, are exactly suitable
for clergyman's wife?'
Kitty they are your browning beau
, ty. wouldn't have you part with them
for worlds"
Happy Mr.. Smith.