River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-12-21

AT the Stafcneu female.
81 wish to see Miss Smith, said she,
abruptly.
"Eh?" said the landlord.
"The lecturer on-Women's Rights, .
with little grimace at the words, as if
they had q bitter taste.
"She amt arriv' yet" said the land
lord.
81 do not intend to allow this outrage
on public taste r said the lady, vehe-
mently.
Marin ?" said the landlord.
II am Miss Smiths mother r.
Be you?" gasped mine host.
Sand here / set until she presents
herself said Mrs. Smith, depositing
herself on the nearest chaic, and cIasping
both hands firmly over the umbrella
handle.
The landlord looked feebly at her. and
almost within the same second in hurried
short, over dressed lady, with curls,
iewelry, bangles and scarlet shawl,
while shabby black-silk skirt trailed
its LOUNGES over the dusty floor.
Landlord" said she, take down
thqse posters at once {"
what for, marm?" cried the poor
ma
ITS swindling said the curly fair
one; downright swindlingl We are
paAners, and Miss Smith is to lecture
nowhere unless / sing ballads in the in
teImissions. It's share and share alike
in the profits and the expenses, and
won't be cheated! And so you may tell
he, landlordl"
The landlord smote his forehead in
despair.
+ Be goin' crazy?" he said, cor is
The whole 'varsal world agee? Miss
spith amt here, nor Mary Smith amt,
nd Mrs. Smith, nor none of the Smiths,
ash know OF II"
Landlord" said the curly lady,
srewing up her thin lips, "you are in
tie conspiracy against mel"
The landlord uttered a groan.
81 wish to goodness I'd never heard
d the whole thing" said he.
+" But if there's law and justice in the
lind, I'll have my rights /" screamed
tie excited lady. "IIl telegraph to
Ioston to lawyer. I'll have up the
constable. III"
The landlord was vaguely considering
il his own mind whether it was best to
90 under the counter, escape by the
lack window or seize his grandfather's
lt:,ty musket from the iron hook where
il hung above the chimney piece. and
dbfy the whole party then and there.
when merciful Providence interfered
j, his behalf. The depot hack rumbled
Up to the door, AMI out stepped tall,
pretty young woman with deep blue eyes
and bronze-brown hair, French gray
travelling dress aud maryelously CON-
posed manner.
"Mary Smith I" said she to the land
lord. "Are my rooms ready? lecture
here tonight in the lyceum."
"Never was so glad to see nobody in
ny born days." croaked the landlord.
Yes, the rooms is ready but your hus-
band, he's out on the green, and your
mothers here a-waitin' to forbid the
banses, aud your pardner a-vowin' and
a-syearin' she's been swindled, and"
It's some mistake, said Miss Smith,
in her clear, incisive voice. :" | have no
husband. My mother has been dead
seya years, and partner is a luxury
IN Which have never INDUCED my
self.'
'.This amt my daughter r said the
starhed female. "My Mary Smith has
red lair, and she shutters"
"euite different sort of person from
my .artner," said the lady with the red
shawl.
"And my wife weighs 200 pounds,
and she wears the Boomer costume,
unwillingly confessed the stout person,
who had by this time come 10 from the
green, and vas standing staring in the
doorway.
The landlord heaved a mighty sigh of
ielef.
"Wal," said he, "I don't see but
that the lectur' nay go on, after all.
The three discontented spirits van
ished. Miss Smith retreated to her
room, and the landlord brea he'd freely
again.
But in the afternoon train from Bos-
ton young man in The undress Uniform
of naval officer, came unexpectedly
upon the scene.
% Is this the place where Mary Smith
lectures tonight" he askedof the land
lord.
81 believe So" said that worthy.
secretly wondering if there were any
more relations to object. "Ef you want
to speak to her, there she is out in the
back gurding, reading poetry under the
pear trees"
"Polly," SAID the young officer, lean
ing over the pretty, French gray shout
der.
81 hear yon, said Miss Smith, turn
ing over leaf and pretending not to be
aware Of the pink flush which was over
spreading her cheek.
Are you really determined to go on
With this public-lecturing tour?" he
asked, quietly.
why shouldn'tIf' cross-questioned
Miss Smith.
g Because I don't like it, Polly"
"You guarded with me, said Mary.
81 beg pardon, : said the young OIL
Ger, "you quarreled with me
do you really care {" said Mary
Smith, melting into softness.
~