Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-04-13
AN ELIGIBLE BOARDING-PLAUE-
"No hotel9" said Mr.. Percival Payn

swered ms friend, Luclus NaTuen, with
tie subdued triumph of one who an
nounces q startling fact.
II never heard Of such thing in my
life" said Payne.
''Nor /, neither" serenely remarked
Warden
'But how do you account for it'?' de-
manded the would-be tourist, shifting
his forehead in despair.
81 don't account for it at all" said
Mr.. Warden, surveying the nails which
he had just been carefully trimming
with his penknife, except that nobody
knows anything about the place as yet.
There is factory-wau-paper, i be-
heve, or something of that sort-and
cigar shop, and beer shop, and two
thread-and- needle stores, and post
Office where the mails come twice
week; and there's the Magalloway river;
all carpeted over with water lilies, and
half dozen glorious little outstreams
running into it. and the finest bit of
scenery you ever saw. But-there's no
hotelp
"But where's a fellow to stay" help
lessly demanded Payne.
''Get an outfit and camp out, as |
did," said Warden cheerfully. "a
blanket; canvas tent, with pegs and
loops; little smudge of bran, or pine
needles, to keep the mosquitoes off at
night, and"
''But | dent enjoy camping out" We
hemently demonstrated Payne. st Is
all very we'll for those who like it, but
I'm not one of that sort. | like four
good walls, feather pillow, and regu-
lar meals served three times day"
"Well, then, look here" said the
Warden. Go to the Widow Bucks,
she takes boarders now and then"
"Who is the Widow Buck?" asked
Payne
':That 1 don't know" replied his
friend.
"And where does she live?"
There you have me again"
"Man alive are you crazy ?" de-
spairingly inquired Payne. Glow am
| to find herr"
Inquire" camly responded Mr..
Warden, as he shut up his knife and
replaced it in his vest pocket. Go to
Mailzie Ford-eleyen a. IN. stage coach
through in one day. Ask for the
Widow Buck'sl Bless my heart moth
ing in the wide world could be easier.
| have always heard that people get
good fare there and comfortable beds.
And Mailzie Ford is a perfect little
Paradise when once you get there"
well" said Payne dejectedly, at
seems wild goose chase, but I've a
mind to try it. A man can but come
back again.
1t was rather early in the season for
the conventional operation known rs
'summering," but Percii al Payne, be-
ing bachelor of independent fortune
and cultivated tastes, felt that he could
do az he pleased And it was rather
luxury to anticipate the first mad rush
of travel. when all the seats are engag
ed, the cosy corners taken, and the
most desirable points of observation
usurped.
SO he packed his valise, laid up his
fishing tackle, laid in great store of
crayons and sketching paper, and
started for the far northern wilderness
OF Mailzie Ford.
OF course, the train was late-trains
always are late-and it was four o'clock
in the afternoon when Mr.. Payne found
himself perched up in an open box-wa-
gon, alongside Of two trunks, a package
of self Goldfish, mailbag, and q pretty
girl, with eyes as soft as black pools of
water, and one of those odd, fringy
hats of black straw all covered with
loops and ribbon, that make people
look so picturesque.
"Where do we meet the stage?' said
Mr.. Payne, as he settled himself so as
to inconvenience his pretty neiehbor as
title as possible.
The driver stared at him.
This 'ere's the stage" - said he. "Git
up, Sorrel!"
Mr.. Payne started.
"But stages have tops" said he.
This ERE stage don't" said the
driver.
1t was rather trying situation
steep uphill part of the way, and steep
down-hill the rest. with the Goldfish and
the mailbag alternately tumbling into
Mr.. Payne's lap, and the pretty girl
laughing in her sleeve at his embarrass
ment.
"Im very rude, | know" said she;
"but If you'd Just tie that Goldfish to
the back of the wagon with your fish
ing-line, it wouldn't trouble you so
much"
"a good idea" said Payne, briskly.
Thanks, very much, for suggesting it.
I've travelled over this road b efore, >
said the pretty girl, laughing.
Are you gong to Malzie Ford p
said Mr.. Payne, with a sudden CLEAN of
animation.
mo-" said the pretty girl 'To Cat
ley's Dam
Perhaps you know something about
Malzie Ford?' harzarded the hero.
ooh, yes said the nymph with the
dark eyes. 1T q lovely place used
to live there Def ore | went into the fac
tory at Catley's.
"Do you know the Widow Back :"
asked Payne, with interest.
every WELL" nodded the pretty girl.
tI'm going there to look for board,