Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-01-06

Yer girls hahn any on EN- old enuff
ter work out, be they Miss Burton? If
so, take on EN- ter help Sister Betsey
That would be one less mouth to feed,
at any rate, and she'd fare we'll"
''Janey is twelve years OLD, and has
been brought up to be useful; can
wash dishes, sweep, and do a great
deal of the ordinary work of a house
hold"
"All right, Miss Burton Have the
girl ready when | come along back from
town, and I'll take her home with me-"
Again in his wagon, Farmer Jones
communed with himself
Don't seem to be much of a show
for a Thanksgiyin' dinner at Miss Bur
tons. Poor thing, It's agin natur that
such pretty girl as she used to be
should have married that shiftless,
drunken Jim Burton, only to be / #
with a lot ofyOung ones ter slave for"
All that day Farmer Jones seemed
III an uncommon grave mood. The
town people missed a certain heartiness
in his manner, and not once did his old
boy-like laugh ring out to notify Center
vile that Farmer Jones was in town.
1t was almost dark when he reached
the widows cottage, and furious snow
storm had commenced. But securing
his restless team ne stamped into the
little kitchen.
Its stormin terribly, Miss Rurton,
and guess your little Janev better not
think Of going tonight"
"No, thank you. | fear it would be
too tedious for the child. But will you
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and get warm
before you go on?'
slim chance for that" thought he
But after an awkward pause he answer
ed: II would like to have a word with
you in private Miss Burton"
With an expression of surprise she
led the way into the cold and cherries
little sitting room
Jane Burton" began he, after clear
ing his throat, you and have known
each other since we war children. We
war young folks together, and though
you war er pile above me, | always
loved ye, but KNOWN | warn't fit fer we
ter wipe yer old shoes or | never said
a word, and letyer marry jim Burton,
while | took Nancy Price. Since then
ther good Lord has taken both on 'em,
leavin' you with an empty purse and
me with an empty house. Well, to
make long story short, | haint had
We out of my mind since | war here this
mornin', and my heart is chuck full of
We. And now Jane, if | am good
ernuH fer yer, say SO, and III try to do
my duty by We and the little ones
During his earnest stammering
speech the poor woman had bushed
and grown like a full-blown rose. and
actually looked youthful again, and
like the fair young girl he had loved
before; and the tears dimmcd her eyes
rs she answered;
81 cannot think for "a moment of ac-
cepting so noble and generous an offer
Reflect "nat burden you would as
sumo. | can bring you nothing but
broken constitution and five helpless
children. No, my good friend, | shall
think Of you ever as the kindest and
best of men"
She broke down completely, and
could only extend her hand. The good
man grasped it with vise-like pressure
and as the little woman began to sob,
he took her in his great strong arms
and to his ample breast, whether she
would or no, and talked so long and
earnestly that the little children grew
tired of staying alone in the dark for
the mother had carried away the lamp
and the horses were stamping impa-
tiently outside in the storm.
God bless We, Jane. Yen come 10
Il big heart and warm, full house, said
the farmer rs the little woman smiled
her consent, and blushed more than
ever as he feryently kissed her and took |
his departure.
If ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsey !
declared to the hired mar that he act
ed jest like crazy critter' He was
almost omnipreSeut- went in and out |
of the house in state of mental dis /
quiet, and mixed himself up with !
the domestic preparations for the COM |
ing feast in the most promiscuous fash /
ion He insisted upon an immediate |
plum cake being made-Stoned rains /
beat eggs-aud declared with many a /
chuckle, when it was ut last finished, !
"thatit looked for all the world like !
Il brides cake" And then when Betsey /
actually iced IT, and placed 4 wreath |
of pressed and dried gorgeous autumn
leaves upon its hulging top by way OF /
ornament, hewas in ccstacies.
well, there it is. Joel, and | do
hope You are satisfied for once, We
will have a grand dinner, and no one
to eat it, said his sister.
Don't you believe that, Betsey. Jist /
set the table for full half dozen be- /