Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-28

the north and made another dash of
color in the brilliant sky.
"Why, / declare, if it amt going to
snow! I wish father would hurry up.
How quickly the clouds have come and
they look heavy, too, as if they were
just bursting with the piles of snow
flakes hid away in them. My Won't it
be jolly coasting though It hasn't
a little that melted right away, and none
of the ponds frozen over. | guess |
had better see if my sled's all right; and
away Jack ran on this hollow pretense
this delightful piece of self-delusion
about the condition of the "Artful
Dodger;" for had he not examined it
daily for the past two months, and
longed impatiently for chance to use
it? My there's snowflake, as sure's
the world; and there's another, and an
other-swarms of 'em p exclaimed hap
by Jack to his small but select audience
of Stub and Jane. They were very am
liable, and frisked and gamboled with as
good an appearance of happy innocence
as could be desired.
cts getting dark very quickly; not
four o'clock yet. I guess it's going to
be a pretty big fall this time, and
whew Stub, hear the wind; sounds
squally, don't it?"
Stub looked with an air of gravity
through the window, and seemed to be
of the opinion that it certainly did ap-
pear threatening.
"What keeps father so late, wonder?
IF it keeps on getting dark as fast as
this the light will have to be fixed pretty
soon"
Thick and fast fell the snow-hakes,
hurrying and scurrying down, as if in
haste to see which could first reach the
earth. Every now and then violent
gust of wind would come that romped
and rioted among the dry leaves that
still chung to some of the trees, and
near at hand the waves surged and
dashed and tossed themselves on the
shore and against the rocks.
81 know the lamp ought to be Lit.
I'd better go right away and do it" said
Jack, addressing his companions. AS
they raised no objection, Jack started,
materials in hand, and they followed
to see, no doubt, that everything was
done fairly and squarely. Up the stairs
went the trio, Stub ahead, shutting and
peerlng into all the dark corners; Jack,
with the lamp and oil in his hand, fol-
lowing warily, and Jane, with dignity
suitable for lady of her years, bringing
up the rear. Jack knew how to set to
work. He watched his father daily, and
had sometimes been allowed to help him;
SO, In very short time, O friendly glow
of light poured through the windows of
hn 70 1oi1
treacherous rocks with blunt distinct
ness, while they strove vainly to hide
beneath the stormy waves.
81 suppose we might as well get sup
per ready now, against father comes"
and Jack laid the cloth neatly and cut
the bread with a will Like few rare
and isolated boys of his age, being hun
cry was Jacks normal condition, re-
heved at occasional intervals by being
satisfied. Supper was waiting fathers
tea was boiling and bubbling on the
stove (Jack's limited knowledge OF cook
ing had not taught him that tea should
never be allowed to boiD. Jacks basin
of broken bread in readiness for the
scalding milk, some dried beef as
special treat, and plenty of good bread,
cheese and butter besides Inside all
was warm and coy, CHEEKY and home
like; outside, stormy and clustering.
Two hours passed, and still no father.
Jack had made tremendous effort to
delay eating till he arrived; but bit by
bit the broken bread had disappeared,
followed by other selections from the
bill of fare, while, Jane Tapped saucer
of milk, and the quondam Friday, for
ho1
made hearty repast on dried beef and
pieces of Jacks bread and butter.
"Seven o'clock, and father not home
yet without fixing. Father said it would
burn longer than that, but it's safest to
look at it every four hours, and he's sure
to be here before it needs looking to-"
So Jack got his favorite book from the
shelf, and settled down for cozy read in
fathers arm chair close near the stove.
1t was certainly was very exciting
where Crusoe and Friday discover the
arrival of the one and twenty savages,
and disturb them at their revolving re-
past. But Jack got up so early morn
ings, and was SO active during the day,
that no wonder his ideas began to stray
and his eyes to blink and close. Stub
had settled himself near for a little quiet
meditation-nose between two black,
outstretohed forepaws, and gaze fixed on
nothing In particular, while Jane, hay
ing first made her toilet for the night by
careful washing and patting, dozed
peacefully behind the stove. Tired Jack
slept, and dreamed he was Crusoe, and
had just built beautiful sled, and he
and Friday coasted down among the
cannlbals and sent them flying on all
sides; and the old clock licked and tick
ed, while out doors the snow blew in
swirls, and a weary man fought hard
against the wind, and sought to find
again the beaten track to his house.
Hour after hour passed, till the faithful
hammer, striking ten, woke Jack in be-
wilderment at not finding himself in his
own little bed.
What's the matter?" he said, shak-
ing himself and standing up. "Why,
now late If is What can have hammer