Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-07-03

a promise that Bessie should bake him
box OF cookies to take away with
him; for he had begun his study OF
medicine, while Phil, who thought the
learned professions already full was
looking in vain for something TO do in
which to start himself in life. "Poor
fellow!'' thought Marcia over and over
again, ''if he only could get something
to do, then the engagement could be
announced. and by-and-by they could
be married" 1t seemed as though she
herself would be easier when it was
over. But there was no prospect of it,
and Pills outlook was dark enough at
present. She mean TO ask him, at some
favorable time, why he didn't 60 out to
Colorado, and, after he had made
home there, send for Bessie. She fam
cied that, after all, the best thing for her
would be not to be obliged to witness
their happiness at last.
But when Marcia had emptied the
better part of her hennery into the
great poultry show, she felt it necessary
to go and look after her interests there,
and she sold enough of the common
stock left at home to pay the expenses
Of herself and Bessie in the city. Her
mother burst into tiers with the thought
of the vulgar pursuits of her daughters;
and they LETT Emily first wiping her
mothers eyes and then making her an
egg-nogg from the proceeds of the val
garity.
1t was fine thing, that show, as
Marcia said, trusting Bessie could make
out what she said in the riot of the
chandeliers, each rivaling his unseen
opponent. "Just hear the rumpus
those roosters keep upw she cried 1.
And what with the cackling of the
geese, and the ouacking of the ducks,
the gobbling OF the turkeys, the clatter
of the guinea-fowl, the cooling of the
| pigeons, and the screams of the pea
cocks, the rumpus was that of Pande-
monium itself. But, except for the un-
slightly coops, it was rather a beautiful
Pandemonium--the huge Brahmas with
their fluff of snowy feathers like so
many article owls, the jet and shining
Crove-cocurs, the silver spangled Ham
burgs fine as silk-clad court ladies, the
Cochins with the gloss Of dark green
enamel of the darkness Of their plumes,
the superb red Game, the crested, ruff
fled, and bearded Sultans, aad the little
| Bantams more important than the
whole. Marcia felt all the glory of
connoisseur and the wealth Of pro-
Queer, as she moved through the place
and recognized her own, and listened
to the clarion calls about her.
She found q seat for Bessie at last,
and then went to see the secretary.
Phil will be sure to be here" she said
to herself, $50 long as he knew Bessie
was coming. He'll find her and keep
her from being lonely" As she came
back with a radiant face after half
hours interview, she only saw that her
prophecy was fuifilled-Phil was there
sitting by Bessie, their heads close to-
gether, their backs toward her. Mean
ing to be az merry as she could, she
started 20 put her face close down be-
tween theirs in order to tell her news,
and so it came about that she heard
Phil saying, "Ah, if only had some
sort of business, 80 that | could speak
without disgracing myself"
"Speak away, Phil" answered Bessie,
putting Marcia in mind Of Priscilla and
John Alden in spite of herself
Then the little hen-woman drew back,
and waited half minute before she
| touched them on the shoulders. Come
with me, Phil" she said; and she led
him down to the lower corner of the hall,
where, the peacocks having rested from
their screaming, 1t was tritie less noisy
! than anywhere else. 81 heard what
you said. Phil" she contrived to say
directly, and have a proposition to
make to you. See here "-as he turned
TO her with stare of utter amazement
list of premiums-Pve taken twenty.
And every one OF my birds is sold, some
at ten and some at fifteen dollars pair,
Iust as the secretary chose. What do
you think Of that for wealth." she cried
gayly. My receipts and my orders
from this poultry show will be only a
little less than one thousand dollars
Now, Phil-yOu're listening ?-if you
don't feel ashamed of it land Pm sure
you wo 1t, if you really want to marry
deal Bessie, | propose to sell out my
hen business to you. You can double
1t; you're a man, and can do twice as
we'll as | could; and you can have, any.
way, in spite of accidents, a good in
come of fifteen hundred or two thousand
dollars a year, with everybody buying
your rare breeds and coming after your
choice eggs you know. And you can
pay me in the course of your life, and
you can marry Bess tomorrow"
Then there was silence a moment,
while she looked at the gorgeous illumi-
nation of the azure on the peacock's
breast, and feared that Phil would hear
her heart beating.
Marcia" said he, presently, getting
hold of her hand somehow, "you are
certainly the most ineffable little goose
in this hall. What in the world do you
suppose want to marry Bess for? It's
you Pm in love withI
The Death of Great Brewer.