Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-01-15
TIE HERALD.
IN SIGHT OF HOME.
By Mrs. N. Il. Rockwell,

On the western bank of the north
ern part of the Mississippi aver,
stands a beautiful little town, and a
charming place it is, nestled close
down at the foot of a very high and
steep blnff, with another not quite
so steep and high on the other side,
and the broad beautiful river in front;
with the great brown rocks lifting
their heads far up above the steeples,
and the green trees, shrubs and flow.
ers peeping over their tops, and run.
ming down in crowds over the small
hills behind the village,up which you
may see the roads winding back into
the rolling prairie country.
And here was the house of Blanche
and Gertie Dean, two dear girls of
ten and eight years old. From their
fathe's house, near the river bank.
they could watch the great steam
boats going up and dowt, on their
way TO st. Louis or st. Paul, and see
green, lovely islands that dotted the
slow moving waters, while far off, on
the Wisconsin side, long line of
bluffs caught the sunlight upon their
rugged foreheads.
In winter it was different, but Just
as delightful The river was frozen
into clear, sparkling ice; on which
the sleighs and skaters made a cay
scene and though it was terribly
cold back on the high prairie lands,
the bluffs kept off the sharp, biting
winds, and made the nook where the
village stands, a sheltered spot
Winter had come at the slime of
which | am going to tell you. 1t was
December, and only the day before
Christmas. So the night would be
Christmas Eve.
Blanche and Gertie were dancing
from room to room all over the house.
as busy and happy as they could be,
all day long. There was so much to
be done to prepare for the good times
they expected. II you had asked
their mammals candid opinion as to
their usefulness, will not attempt
to say what might have been her re.
ply. Bat Blanche or Gertie would
have told you that the house could
not possibly have been in order, and
everything ready for Christmas, if
they hadnot helpedmamma and Jane
with all their might. Christmas time
had always been happy season in
Mr.. Deans family; but, some way,
they all felt that it would be happier
this year than ever before; for since
the last Christmas, the first real sep
arations In their household had taken
place. Arthur, the eldest son, had
gone east to college, and sister Dora,
as the little ones called her so MANY
times that day. had been since Sep.
TENDER, teaching school twenty miles
away, in little new prairie settle
ment But they were all to be to.
gether for Christmas, and that was
why it would be such happy, hap.
py day. Arthur had come home the
day before, and very early that morn
ing, with their papa's new sleigh.
drawn by Charley and Bill, who
were the very fastest horses in town,
had startsd to bring Dora home.
They would be there by dark, papa
said, for the sleighing was excellent.
| said Blanche and Gertie had
danced all over the house but there
was one the parlor, which nam.
ma had kept locked all day, except
when papa came in hurriedly with
mysterious bundles. which at once
brought the key from her pocket,
only to be quickly turned on the in.
side. The little girls knew that there
was Christmas-tree, ana had sent
in their own little gifts for its branch
es; but they were so very anxious to
know what everybody was to have,
that they were guessing and hoping
in a perfect fever of expectation,
when they heard mamma calling
Blanche-G ertie-where
are you? Come and get dressed,
quickly as you can! 1t is after four
o'clock
They scampered up stairs, but
were very soon down again. They
mad known for week exactly what |
hey were to wear. Blanche's dress
vas blue merino, with little white
ur at her throat and wrists. She
was tall for her age, and her cheeks
'ather pale. She had soft brown hair
Put back in heavy braids, and very
earnest, loving eyes. Blu: Gertie was |
plump, rosy, little girl, with dark
curly hair, poutlng lips, aud eyes
ul oil mischief. She looked very
bright and pretty in her rose coiored |
ie'aine trimmed with velvet.
They ran to the window to look
1ut for their brother and sister. while
mamma set the table, and Jane was
busy in the kitchen with chickens,
and biscuit, and fragrant coffee. |
Papa carefully lit the big lamp, ar.
ranged the handsome screen over its
chimney, and set it on the table.
Then he, too, walked to the window !
and looked out into the fast gather.
ing twilight shadows.
sit has grown cold very fast to.
day, hs said; I'm afraid they'll suf.
ter from the wind, riding over the
prairie
Il wish they were safe at home,'
said mamma. 1T has been a hard
ride for Arthur this cold day, after
bis own long Journey and she
looked a little anxiously out into the
gathering gloom.
They'll be here very soon now
said Blanche, cheerfuIly, for she new.
er could bear to see shade on her
mothers face. st is most dark,
The night came on fast at little
after five o'clock, daylight was gone.
They al gathered around the window
nNNr faks e