River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-08

But Just as she was gathering up tn
reins a wistful little face peered through
the fence in the next yard
$ say, you've got a jolly pony
"Wou.d you like to go with me
Charlie!'
My name is Tommy Blake. Iii be
I'd like to go; and Susie, too"
well, run and ask mamma
Ina few moments the happy little one
were in beside her-Susie clinging tim
IDLY to her skirts; while Tommy STOOD
boldly up in front, whip in hand, ready
to stir up the pony.
at will be such rest for me; they
are so full of mischief" said Mrs Blake
as she put them in; and again th'
I thankful look went down INTO Laura'c
heart, and made the morning very hap
py one.
It was one of those early spring days
when every thing seems delightful after
| the long, cold winter The pony relt
| lively, and so did the children Tommy,
in particular, was inclined to be rather
mere communicative about home matters
than Laura desired.
Papa is cross sometimes when dinner
ism ready, and says bad words; then
mamma cries. Dinner was ready yester.
day, though, cause you helped"
who is coming, Tommy said Laura,
anxious to change the subject.
"Hello, that's the doctor! l know him.
He sewed up my head when | fell down
stairs !" and he waved his hat at that gen.
tlemau, who was looking with surprise at
the phston and its occupants.
Laura fancied his bow was trifle less
cool than usual, and thought, angrily,
Ill never take them again. lie thinks
am following his advice, and I won t
crafty him."
He thought, "There is more to that
girl than l supposed. l really wish she
would cultivate Mrs. Blake; the little
woman sadly needs a helping haad.'
Then he stTaightway banished the beau
tiful Miss Lamont from his mind, and
commenced planning his new treaties on
diph.h eria.
The lovely spring days followed each
other in rapid succession, and every day
Laura's pony carried its happy load out
into the country roads where the air was
the purest. Sometimes the little mother
and the baby went, and it was surprising
to see what change came over them all.
The rich color came into Laura's cheeks,
and she no longer complained of head
ache or blues.
Cheerful c0mpani0nship and little
leisure made Mrs. Blake bright-eyed and
interesting, while Aunt Prue found some
old-fashi0ned remedy for colo that made
the baby sleep at nights, and Laura helped
her in many little WAYS that gave her
time to rest and improve herself.
The quiet parties before Easter, where
Laura frequently met DIR. Thorne, gave
place to those of livelier tendency that
nc seldom frequented; for, although a
social man, he had reached that age when
dancing and Irritation had lost their
charm.
What makes YOU always quarrel with
DIR ThorAef" said girl friend, one even
ing. "All the other glrls are crazy over
him. and you sometimes act as if you
hated him. | believe he likes you all
the better for it, though; for be watches
you 50 much"
Nonsense, Suer' said Laura, coIoring
deeply as she caught the gaze of these
earnest brown eyes fixed upon her at that
very moment; ard then she fiirted des-
peFatelv with vii, Dayton the rest of the
evening"
the owner of the brown eyes was not
deceived. however; he was thinking of
the last time he had met this Young lady at
Mrs. BlaKe's. He came in-without knock
ing one evening, and as he stood in tie
hall he saw before him very pretty pic
ture.
Laura was rocking Baby Blake TO sleep,
singing low, sweet cradle song, and
Tommy stood behind her injastrIously
taking out all her hair-pins, so that when
she rose 10 lay the baby down she dis
covered her hair floating over her
shoulders Making a dexterous move
ment 10 catch the rogue who had done
the mischief, she almost ran into the
doctor'a arms. What a change then he
could hardly believe this stately creature
was the same girl who sat a moment
before with the babe in her arms, and her
hair rnffiing over her shoulders. Her
pride aided her to make I. naughty exit,
but he should have seen her as she ran
hone crying with vexation. After that
the treatise on diphtheria was laid aside,
and the doctor took up new study, evil
IDENTIFY more interesting, namely, the
character OF a beautiful young lady.
Sometimes he thought she vas as much
interested in him as he was in her; then
she would snub him until he was very
doubtful. do not know how long things
would have gone on in this way had not
Fate taken it in hand.
The Lannon'S had their trunks all
packed for a summer trip, when Tommy
was taken i'll. He begged so pitcouslv
for his dear Miss Laura that she resolved
To postpone going away for few days.
Her mother tried to reason her out of
it but all the arguments Of new dresses
and tic delightful seashOre were power
less 10 move her.
"Iy new dress can wait" she an
swered; and DOMINIC a calico wrapp r,
started for Tommy's bedside.
His illness proved to be failure that
brought him nesr deaths poor; but
Laura never tlinched even when she
knew the danger to herself The mother
KEEP. The other children away, and Aunt
Prue helped Laura nurse the boy. When
the werst came, DIR. Thorne remained also.
and together he and Laura brought the
little fellow back to his n zee in life.
Then Lsrura went home; ard, although
she did not take the fever. she was sick
foT yeral days, her mother and Aunt
I'Tuc tending her with devotion charm
ing 10 behold.
OF course they must consult the doctor,
who prescribed rest aud quiet; but left 3
li,Gie note for the young lady's own peru
sal.
Another prescription, my dear" ssiC
her mother; and Laura read
"Be1res. BE my wife. It shall I've
tlu enc aim Of my life to make you hap.
| Ply. "ALEx THoRNE7
That was ALL Just those few lines; but
strange to say they made her well i'm
ne3iately. And Aunt Prue had the sat
islaction Of sayins, Il told you so
/ After Norwich. c., clergyman has
/ patiently listened Tor half hour to tn,
honeyed pieadings of 3 book agent, {
| morning or 20 ago Il man rang the door
/ bell sud was politely shown into the par
Tor, Tine clergyman finally escaped froa
/ his importunate interviewer ard with {
sigh of relief passed into the parlor
Perhaps, said tie strange man rising, =
/ have taken you away from an importan
] engagement" NO" replied the clergy
man, II was not sorry TO be released.
was engaged with book agent, aud il
/ fsct was cl4G 70 get sway." II BEG mar