Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-02-15

nad Doen wont TO thread my hair
alone, | cannot say; but shrugged
my shoulders ungraeiously as passed
ont of the room.
"She will be disturbing element
in Eden," | said, and that child un-
derstood and remembered it.
We rowed across the River to
Breakneck the next morning, with
Kate for guide, and Hates boat in
tow, TO the little red house trifle
back from the river, where Miss
Morris, the aunt lived. We found
the coarse red haired woman very
loath to part with her little helper.
IL was a dreary looking place
enough that the child called home.
No carpets, no pictures, no books, no
comfort anywhere, it seemed to me ;
as Miss Ann bounced about the room,
wipiDg off the dust that had accumu-
lated on the chairs since the last
sweeping, and scoIding at the top of
her voice all the white.
"Madam," said l, checking her in
mid-career as she was launching a
torrent of abuse at the child for
"wanting to work for strangers
rather than her own KIM" MADAM,
if she is of so much worth to you,
state the sum you think she earns
each month and | will pay it to you,
80 that You may procure substi-
tuts."
That settled it, She gave an in
dignant sniff, touched the red, wire
curls, that were struggling over her
leathery face, and proceeded 10 de-
molish me.
Substitute = she shouted "you
may well say that, for a more sub
stitute critter didn't never see. She
hadn't stitch TO wear when | took
ber out of the river"
"Out of the river You are not
her aunt in reality, tnen?"
Her face grew crimson, and she
fairly stammered with anger. "Of
course | am. What put that bee in
your bouDet?l meant--I meant-one
day when che tumbied in and l took
her out, and this IS all the thanks |
get The lszy, impudent huzzy I've
a great mind to thrash her within an
inch of her life"
"That is a DEPRESSION, madam" L
said, with a glance at mothers
white, frightened face, and the ohild's
look of sullen misery, 'now for the
agreement. How much does she
earn What is she worth to you per
month ?"
"Earn Worth - screamed the
vixen. "The little begger didn't
earn her salt You kin take her an
welcome, and | wish you joy of your
bargain much good will she do you.
But mind, Catharine. when Your rich
friends get tired of you, and you
may be sure they will, | won't have
yon come back here. Mind that !
Pm glad to get rid of you l. and she
turned away, making a pretenoe of
busyipg herself about the stove, and
taking no further notice of US.
Suddenly Kate sprang forward and
grasped the great red hand in her
little brown ones.
"Aunt, Aant Ann" she said, eager
| ly, "let us part friends at any rate"
| shall never forget the blaze OF
fury that lit the woman's face. Thep
she held the little hands tightly in
one of hers, and brought the other
full upon the pleading, childish
mouth twice. If she had been a man
| would have knocked her down.
Madam" | said, drawing the
child away, "she is ours now"
We left her and went ont again
under Gods cain sky, and | think
we all felt as if q strain had been
taken from our nerves. | will confess
| did, though had mannish dis
belief in that portion of the body.
1t was q wondrous day when /
pushed ont from Breakneck's stony
point. One of those "rare June
days" of which the poet sings. The
river was dimpling and bl1shing un-
der the clear blue sky, while now
and then sturgeon flushed tor a
moment from the water, like silver
sword-"the sword Excalibar"-and
then drew back again, leaving o
shining eddy where he fell. Up to
the north fair Newburg sat white
and sunlit on the low hills by the
river. A schooner was just gliding
| by Polipel's Island, leaving silver
pathway in her rear, end in the
south Constitution Island waved all
its green leaves in the wind. But
home. sweet home. How quiet and
calm and restful it looked beneath
the shadow Of great StormkiDg !
You would scarcely think that West
Point, with all it's noise and life and
gsy cadets, lag just beyond Cro'nest,
that, standing far out in the river,
seemed to say to all the hustle of the
military school, "Thus far shelf thou
go, but no farther" How ! loyed
it all the little house with its shin
gled roof, and wing upon one side ;
the two tall elms that stood on
either hand in the meadow f; the tan
gle the rose.bushes and alders by the
river 1 loved the very curve of the
shore and the little stone dock, with
the rustic seat upon tie end, and the
steps going down to the water.
| | must have been resting for Q
long while on 10Y oars. for mother
leaned forward and touched my knee
gently.
Jack" she said, softly. 1T is
beautiful Do you see Rachel down
on the dock watching US? She is
wondering if we are coming home to
dinner"
/ looked aud laughed, and, turning
up the oars, rowed swiftly home
again. :.
"Welcome home, Katbie," said
mother, as ! handed the child from
the boat, "you shall be my daughter,
dear, and call John, here, your broth
er.H
but Mr.. Willis DOESN'T like me.
ma'am," she said, slowly looking