River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-06


was rarely seen about the IN, being
closely engaged with his literary
labors. But at these moments of re-
taxation there was nothing too trifing
for the amiable Nj. Dean to listen to,
from the marriage of the mayor to the
number of tons of pigiron worked in
the rolling mill. Any question that 10
failed to answer one day, he took care
to be posted ON before his next visit !;
and no doubt Mr.. Dean picked up some
little facts of value 10 him Ia his work,
aside from being very much amused.
10 was highly fiattered at the attention
which was paid him, and though his
praises at home took Mother Dean"
chiefly for subject, they were repeated
by Mrs. Badger, embellished by astute
comments.
When the Deans had been settled in
their new home about three weeks, a
project was started for holding an an
nual fair in aid of the Orphans home,
charity once very popular in the
town, but, unfortunately, plunged into
financial difficulties. A public meeting
was thought the best method to bring
the subject properly before the towns
people, and the lessee of Renton AS
sembly hall rendered its commodious
lecture-room rent free for the occasion.
The evening of an approaching local
celebration and holiday was fixed by a
general committee as most favorable
time for holding the meeting.
On the evening appointed the hall
VS. well filled with Renton's foremost
and best, socially and monetary : the
ceiling of local pride had not been APP
fpealed to in vain. At point in the
proceedings, "enlivened by select
orchestra" as the Nescs reporter put it,
Mr.. Ruddiford rose to announce certain
pledges of contributions that unsolicit-
ed had been sent in to the committee
by persons who could not be present,
and heading this list was Mr.. Charles
Dean, annual contributor, fifty dollars,
an announcement that caused the
Normans and other worthless of Ner-
raw street to call boldly in applause !:
Clear hear p Having finished read
ink the list, Mr.. Ruddiford proceeded
to say
ga venerable lady who has recently
become resident z us, has con-
tributed to the far So, IN pairs of hose,
knit by herself, and this valuable silk
quilt, which l hold in my hands, con-
tanning 1,349 different pieces of silk.
He then held up the quilt for general
admiration. 1t is more than doubtful,
however, if at the moment any one
would have offered five dollars for it
though the name of the donor was in
quired and whispered about the hall.
But young lawyer Carter, who knows
with the best when to improve an OPP
portunity in an assembly, stepped up
to Ruddiford, took the quilt in his
hands, and with it mounted on a chair.
Ladies' and gentlemen" said he, 81
propose to auction this unique and val
liable donation to the highest bidder
for the benefit of the Home. 1t is the
work of one of the noblest of women,
whose pious life stands glorified to-day
with a browning wreath of snowy locks
enlightened Iby eighty-fve winters"
Carter went on in similar strain for
five minutes, making the touching
sentimental appeal suited to his pur-
pose, and then offered a personal bid
of twenty-five dollars to start with.
'Going at twenty-five twenty-five !"
Forty ~ bid Stow, Carter's law part
ner.
Fifty p said Norman, senior. (The
elder grocer had been given no cause to
change his good opinion in regard to
the youngest of his new neighboIs 10
had invited Miss Dean in the morning
to accompany him to the hall, but she
had pleaded in excuse, as usual, her
duty to her beloved grandmother
"And ten more !" cried a director of
the fund.
"Make it seventy !" added the presi-
dent, in generous rivaly.
Just at this point there was some
commotion near the hall entrance,
causing Carter to exert his voice, while
the bids ran on at about five dollars a
call. Carter's friend Stow being on the
committee, had gone to have the noise
promptly quieted. Returning quickly,
ne made his way to the amateur auc-
tioneer's side and whispered privately
to him. The startled change that in
stantly passed over Carriers counte-
nance raised laugh, but The laugh en-
abled him to summon a smile and an
nounce the disposal of the quilt to the
Hon. John Thompson. Carter then
started with Snow toward the hall en-
lance, and the good-tempered audience
prepared to settle themselves to listen
to some suggestion from the mayor.
Then it was, at that quiet moment,
that Mrs. Badger, bonnetless, shawl
less, and with ashy cheeks, rushed into
the hall, and before Carter or Stow
could reach her, called out with hyster-
ical shrillness
ooh, Mr.. Norman Oh, Mr.. 10, do
come home Those Dean people have
been hiding men in their houses and
they have all tunneled under the saw
ing fund and robbed its vault. Watch
man Charlie was found gagged, and he
says Mother Dean was the strongest
man of the gang !"
Then Mrs. Badger very appropriately
fainted.-Sprinqfeld Republican.