Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-03-02
THE WHITE HAIRED LADY.

iohS ago, ana was much impressed by
the appearance of one of the younger
ladies present. She was not beautiful,
out united the striking characteristics
OF a brilliant, fresh complexion and a
profusion of hair, white as snow, which
was wound on the top of her head after
the fashion of Madrazo's ''Marquise, .
belonging to Mrs. A. T. Stewart. She
was very merry, a good talker, and,
must confess, contriyed to occupy the
larger part of her attention, with that
tendency towards monopolizing the best
which the moment affords that am told
is often observed by my familiars.
After bidding adieu to the ladies, I
turned to the obliging friend who had
been my sponsor at these incidental
gayeties of-,and casually remarked,
after talking somewhat of my new ac-
quaintance:
"By JoYe, what hair. 1t accents her
whole appearance, Wasn't she lucky
to achieve it yong?"
My friend removed his cigar
That depends on how YOU look at it.
| am inclined to think, taking things by
and large, that she was. doubt, how
ever, if she wouldn't say to-day that the
price was rather large. And ii was a
pretty big price. Do you like stories?
m minded to tell you one, if YOU like,
about that white hair YOU admire so
much
We went over to the hotel, and some
thing like this my friend told me:
You have no idea, you city people,
the interest we country people take in
the courtships of young folks From
the time Harry Wells began to slide up
to Mamie Clausen at church socials I'M
I'll their marriage in the Presbyterian
Church, the entire community gave
minute consideration, to their affairs.
Mamie's father, John Clausen, was and
is now prominent commission mer-
chant, generally considered wealthy,
and has always lived at least like man
OF means. Mamie was pretty, dashing,
local belle and a great favorite.
Harry family lived few miles from
town, and they, too, are people of repu-
tation in the county. Old Jack Wells
represented us a few times in the Legis-
lature, and has accumulated in one way
and another q handsome property.
The marriage was in every way a suit
able one. Harry was educated at Prince
ton, and, although he had at one time
the reputation of being wild, he sobered
down, and was at any rate such frank,
manly young fellow that he was gener-
ally forgiven any indiscretion.
AS say, the marriage was the occa-
sion of general rejoicing. Mamies
father gave her an unusually good send
oil, and the details were sent far and
wide through the State. Harry had
studied law, although he didn't have
much inclination for it, the old man
thinking his political experience might
serve Harry in that way, and had settled
down into country notary, drawing up
deeds and doing hack-work of that sort
They lived about four miles out of town,
and two miles from old Jacks He had
built them pretty modern cottage on
detached portion of his farm. Harry
had his office, an ornamental little struc-
ture, few rods from the house, and
there they lived as happy as two birds.
Gradually Harry picked up business,
and finally, through his father, became
trustee for the minor heirs. They were
an odd lot of children, with half-crazy
mother and no end of coal lands and
mining investments. 1t was good
thing for Harry, although it gave
naturally lazy man some additional
work. The worst thing was that it OBJ
liged him to go to Scranton now and
then and leave Mamie. You may inn
agine that there was good deal of Wis
iting at the house Of two such popular
young people, and that four-milc stretch
of road was generally kept pretty warm
When Harry had to go away, Mamie
would get in her phaeton and drive to
town, and there was always some of the |
young people ready to go out and keep
her company. Harry always insisted !
that she mustn't stay alone. For law
abiding State we have pretty rough |
element in it, and although we haven't |
had much to complain of here, there is |
general uneaSiness.
One August afternoon Harry had an |
unexpected summons To go to Scranton |
about suit connected with the minor /
heirs. lie had recently sold some of |
their property and had been making
various collections which left in his |
hands about $1,000. When he found he |
had to go off at few moments notice, |
he wrapped up q bundle of papers and |
his money, and took them into the house. /
Mamie was making preparations for a
picnic they were to 20 the next day, and |
begged him to wait until the day after. |
but, my dear child, haven't time
even to go to town and put these in the
bank, so you'll have to take care of |
them. I'll try and get back in two days |
at the furtheSt; meanwhile nobody VIII I
know that the money is here.
Then he explained to her the value of |
the papeg- and handed her canvas
bag. in rich was the ~ 800 belonging |
To the minor heirs
Where will | keep it, Harry? Be
tween the mattresses
'Just like woman. No. But de- I
clare ! don't know where to tell you.
The most insecure place apparently is /
often the most secure. Amy place, my
dear, but between the mattresses. l /
leave that to you. BUT you must guard /
it, if necessary, with your life, for re-
member the money is not ours, and at
all hazards am responsible. | don't /
really suppose there is the least danger,
for no one knows | have it. But one |
ought to take proper precautions, and |
beg of you not to admit any trampS |
while | am gone Tell Sarah not even |
10 allow them to stop long enough to
eat biscuit.
IAN right dear; we won't let the |
tramps have drink even, and I'll take |
care of the money, you may be sure.
Harry babe his wife goodbye and |
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the end
of two days She received telegram
from him, saying he had been detained, I
and telling her TO get some ore to stay |
with her for two days, when he would |
be at home. She drove into town and !
one of her old friends went out with her. I
At the end Of two DAYS she had another
telegram saving he was detained until
the next day. Her friend went home, |
and in place of Harry came third tele-
gram, and so every day for ten days he (
was expected home. and every day came |
4 disappointing telegram, BY this time /
she had become accustomed 10 her
charge. which she had set, like n bag of /
Seed-beanS in corner of dark closet /!
opening from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was I
hot murky afternoon. Mamie had gone /
upstairs to take n nap and refresh before
dressing to meet Harry, who was cx-
pected home after the longest absence
he had ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something 10 eat and who
wouldn be driven oil.
Il.