Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-05
THE GOVERNORS WIFE.

Z,
to the crown of your head, as a body
might say Well, if ever | heard the
like When you have got the roof of
from over our own heads, perhaps you'll
be happy We shall live to come to
want through your doings. Now, you
lust mark my words"
The speaker was d little, thick-set
woman, with hare, wrinkled face,
thin, tightly shut lips, and two fierce
little light blue eyes that glared with
all the sharpness Of an angry hawk
glance, first upon the stout, comforta-
BILE looking, white-headed farmer, who
was shifting Ineasily from one foot to
the other in front of his own door, and
then at the pale, scared countenances
Of delicate woman and child who sat
in the wagon from which he had just
dismounted.
Such pleasant looking home it had
been to those weary wayfarers before
It's mistress appeared.
A square, old fashioned farmhouse,
gray with the storms Of sixty years or
more but with broad fiat door
stone, and an open door overhung with
lilac blossoms door that led straight
into the neatest of kitchens, where long
rows of glistening tins, in corner cup
board, shone like silver as the evening
fire blazed upon the hearth.
But Mrs Morton spoiled it all. Her
sour withered, misery visage and her
sharp, hard voice made the poor woman
who had come to seek her charity
shudder and grow sick at heart.
"Don't mind us, sir. We will go
back and sit beside the road where you
took us up" she said family, to the
farmer. II am not beggar, and my
child must never be one. Let us go,
sir. We would rather starve than stay
where we are not welcome
She reached forward to touch the
farmer on the shoulder, but even that
effort was too much for her wasted
strength.
She sank forward, and would have
fallen under the horses feet if the
farmer, warned by cry from the little
girl, had not turned and caught her in
his arms.
"Well, I'm sure," begar Mrs. Nor
ton, spitefully, to the child, whose
great blue eyes were upon her with a
look of fear and dislike. your ma
makes quite free for stranger"
"For shame, Sarah" said her hus-
band, severely; "At least we have
enough and to spare for the present,
and the future must take care of itself.
Folks are not going to perish to death
right here at my door when | can pre-
vent It,.
"Ihere's the poor house for such as
her" said Mrs. Morton, vicously.
A look from her husband sienCed
her at last. He bore the faiuting woman
indoors, and laid her down in the spare
room. "On my best bed Mrs. Morton
used to say, Indignantly, for many
months thereafter. With his own hands
the kind old man carried in a plentiful.
supper and breakfast to the wonderers.
And when, after that next mornings
meal, the poor woman babe him adieu,
and, with greatful tears, prayed that
God might bless him, he patted her on
the shoulder encouragingly, and slip
ped five dollar bill into her hand.
"Take that my dear, for you and the
little one to live, till you get stronger,
he said. "Now don't cry over it, my
dear, but keep good heart, ana heaven
will send you friends as you journey
along. Good by, little one. VIII you
give an old man kiss?'
Eyes, | will said the child, spring
ing into his oltstretced arms, and
pressing her lips upon his withered
cheek; "aud ween | am great large
woman, I'll pay you back for being so
kind to my poor mother. Why, she
would have died if you hadn't taken
her in last night. And then should
have died, toor'
Tears we're in tine farmers eyes as
he stood looking after his late guests
but his heart was warm with the con-
seriousness of An action performed, and
a benefit conferred.
"YOu might rs we'll hang sign out,
and say that we.keep a tavern tor every
straggler that comes along remarked
Mrs. Morton, from the door, 81 do
wish, Caleb, you'd stop doing go. You
won't end till we are both in the poor
house, and then you'll be easyW
IF am to go to the poor house for
helping starving woman and child,
20 must, SARAH, SH'u hel HuooaiuJ
quietly.
and 60 you will, mark my word, y
replied Mrs. Morton, in fury, shut
ting the house door with bang, that
made every milkpan and cup and
saucer ring and rattle again.
Ten years passed on. And It began
to look as if Mrs. Morton had only
been TOO true n prophet when she fore
told ruin for them both.
In an evil day Caleb Morton signed a
note for poor and struggling neighbor,
who died just rs the time of payment
drew near.
Nothing was left, except scanty
provision for the widow and orphans
Caleb would have starved before claim;