Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-06-20

quiet TEA lUSellSI. josie WAS gong on
the morrow, and as, sitting opposite
him and pouring out his tea, she saw
the hard lines soften in his careworn
face. and how happy he was in her So
ciety, her heart reproached her for
leaving him.
II have half mind not to so, papa
it seems toe bad to leave you here all
by yourself"
But Mr., Wilson would not hear to
this.
Il insist upon your going; YOU have
been working hard, and You need a
change. Ny life would be much the
same anyhow"
!" You can expect me in three weeks,
papa, smiled Josie, from the car Win
dow the rev! morning. You will
want your little horse-keeper by that
time, | know
And Mr.. Wilson wen,bacG to the cor.
roding anxieties that made him an old
man before his time, thanked God for
this bit Of sunshine, and which left its
glow in the heart long after il had van
ished.
There were only few passengers for
Baybridge, u small town in the interior
of the state, though there were the
usual loungers upon the platform of the
station as Josie stepped out. But they
soon scattered, leeving her to stare
blankly around for the carriage that
she supposed would be waiting for her
She walked clean around the station
looking in every direction, but not Il
vehicle was in sight except rough box
wagon with board across il, drawn by
pair of spirited black horses, that
stamped their feet and tossed their
heads rs if impatient to be of.
A man stood beside the FESTIVE crea-
lures that yet seemed to be under per
feet control.
"There Jennie! BE easy Kate" he
SAID, patting the satin smooth skin, and
speaking very much rs mother would
to a child.
The baggage master was standing
near pile Of trunks and parcels.
"Ls this your trunk, Miss?' he said aS
Josie approached HIM.
"Ies, was expecting friends to meet
me, but they are not here. There must
be some mistake"
II know most of the people around
here. What might their name be?'
iL"Crofton.
"Why bless me, you've got oil at the
wrong station. They live at North Bay
bridge, five miles beyond"
"When does the next train leave ~
6fHO. M orrOw nlOrpipu y
Josie looked the dismay that she felt
at this announcement.
It's too bad | declare" said the
good-natured officer, plying Josie's evil
dent distress.
Then, rs his eye fell upon the owner
of the team who was looking towards
them, he added:
IF this amt streak of luck. Here's
John Manning, their next ncighbor. He
can take you along just rs well as not. :
" john, here's young woman that's
got of at the wrong station. She wants
to go to Croften's. | tell her she can
ride with YOU
The young man removed his straw
hat, revealing forehead broad and full
and whose whiteness contrasted strongly
with the healthy brown Of the cheeks
below.
al shall be very happy, if the young
lady has no objection to riding with a
farmer, and in farmers wagon"
The admiration so clearly visible III
the honest blue eyes that met her own,
made Josies cheek redden.
If it will not be too much trouble 2?
AS the young man listened to those
low. softly-spoken words. he felt that
nothing the speaker could ask would
be any trouble at all. Springing to
work, he soon improvised quite a com
Portable seat for Josie by passing rope
from one stake to another, just back OF
the board in front, throwing thick
soft blanket over the whole.
Glad to be released, "Jennie" and
kate" bore them swiftly along the
winding country road, dotted here and
there by farm houses, nestled down
among trees and shrubbery. As soon
as Josie got little used to it, she en-.
joyed her elevated and novel position
which gave fine view of the beautiful
country through which they were pass.
ing.
Her companion smiled at her en-.
thusiastic EXPLANATIONS and comments,
seeming to take pleasure so frankly
and innocently expressed.
edo you think you would like to live
in the country?" he said, stealing an
admiring glance at the glad young face.
above all things" responded Josie.
"That is" she added, after moments
pause, "if papa could be there too. ]
wish he could be just for little while;
he would ENJOY it 50. Papa was brought
up on farm, and it would seem light old
times to him. ] heard him say once
that he wished he had never left it."
81 had a strong desire when boy
to go to the city where / could get a
chance TO get rich, and not have to
work so hard. But am the only SON
an only child since last winter Here
the speakers eyes saddened. II
promised father just before he died that
| wouldn't leave the farm while mother
lived, and ! don't know that | care to do
so now"
81 wouldn't il was in your place, u
said Josie, with wise shake OF her
head. cts dreadful hard times in the
city. Everybody is grooming about
81 ,.,b ,,b 3 IL n,.a,...l,