Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-12-13
BIRDS OF PREY.
"Whatr, said souire Downs.

per; and Doctor Peppers wife heard
from Sarah Gill, Dotor Keltan's house
keeper. And Doctor Keltan attende
Betsy Jane in that last attack of neu
ralgia she had.
The Squire had just come in from til
well with brimming pail of water. Ii
set it down on the table, and stared q
his wife, with eyes which resembled
pair of over-grown gooseberries
"Say it again. said the squire. g
don't think | quite sense it. "Our niece
Betsy Jane"
''Her husband is dead somewher
down in Mexico explained Mrs. Dow
speaking very slowly.
'.What! the fellow she ran away wit
out of boarding-school?'
"Why, / suppose So" said Mrs
Downs, tartly, ~ never heard as sh
had more than one husband, did you?'
''N-nor' admitted the squire.
swell, he's dead. You understand
that, don't you?''
''Oh, yes!' said Squire Downs, :.
understand THAR
''And he's left her a fortune
'Land o. Goshen!" interjectionalll
remarked the squire.
twenty-five thousand dollars!' sale
Mrs. Downs. sin the Montijo Bank o
Mexico
WELL | do declared said the squire
Sand we all s'posed he was a mis- able
drunkin creetur that couldn't supper
her."
1T shows how liable we all are to bC
mistook,' piously remarked Mrs
Downs. "I've wrote to Betsy Jane
offering her a home here, or to come
there, if we can be of any use.''
Wrote, indeedr' said the squire
Every blamed one of the relations will
be writing, see if they won't. We mus
go, Sarah-the very next train
''But it's haying time" said Mis-
Downs, "with four work-hands here
and the camp-meetin' next week"
''Hangthe camp-meetin' - said Squire
Downs. ''And let the hired gal cook
for the four men. What's she for any
way? She's my own niece. in trouble
and bereaved. BE to set down anC
fold my hands? Me, as is a professeC
Chrstian!'
"Sure enough" said Mrs. Downs
twenty-five thousand dollars! | dc
hope Betsy Jane won't be misled to in
vest il carelessly. You're right, squire
If ever she needs counsel and advice
she needs it now. l shan't be able tc
get that current-jelly made--and the
fruit all picked, too! But what is cur
rant-jelly when a human soul is con-
cerned? Your shirts is all done up,
squire, and | think l can get packed
in time for the four O'clock train, eff |
don't hev no set-backs. Poor, dear
Betsy janet how she must long for some
familiar face at her side And, come to
think OF it, I'm a'most the only mother
the poor thing has ever knowni"
While, at Cardiac Center, the little
house where lived Mrs Axborough-
the Betsy Jane" of the above affect
ing dialogue-was besieged with tender
relatives.
Mr.. Axborough had not been a
popular character during his lifetime
might have died thousand deaths.
without awakening any particular
chord of sympathy, if it had not been
for that snug little sum in the Montiio
Bank of Mexico
Betsy Jane had been allowed to en-
dure his prolonged absence as best she
might. She had earned scanty liyeIi-
hood in the kid-glove factory of Cardiac
Center, and had been Supremacy igror-
ed at Thanksgiving, Christmas. and all
such festive times. by her relatives.
Now, however, all was changed.
Betsy Jane-a pretty, fresh-cheeked
youngwoman- satin her shabby mourn
ing, looking around her in a bewilder-
ed sort of way.
The departed Axborough had not
been particularly kind TO her. He had
deserted her before they were married u
year But there was something in the
mere fact of her widowhood that terri
fled and saddened her.
She rose up and sat down again. as
if uncertain what to do. when Mrs
Downs and the squire hustled in.
MY poor dearr' said Mrs Downs,
embracing her effusively.
We've all got to die some time or
other" said the squire, polishing off his
bald head with the dry end of red silk
pocket-handkerchief.
"Who are these people?n brusquely
demanded Mrs Downs, looking around
her, IS Betsy Jane murmured few
incOherent words of acknowledgment
to this greeting.
"Only Uncle Aaron Allen,' said
Betsy Jane. "From New Hampshire,
you know, with his daughter Amelia.
And Cousin Harriet Smith, with her two
sons; and Aunt Mildred Jones'
"What are they here forP' said Mrs
Downs, with countenance of rising
dissatisfaction.
They are all so sorry for me-" fall
tered the young widow.
1--WE are here, Cousin Downs said
Uncle Aaron-who was a stout, smiling
old man, with double chin, long whis-
kers, and II butternut-colored suit-''to
console Betsy Jane
''And to protect her from harpies,"
rather emphatically remarked Miss
Amelia, who was lady of certain
age and a war-like physiognomy"
I'm here" said Mrs. Smith, ''to take
the poor dear to. Lake Wiscaxa with
me for change of air and scene. Reu-
ben and Robert can make it very pleas
ant for her, and"
''lf she goes with anybody she's goin'
with me-" said Aunt Mildred Jones.
''Me and her mother was always great
friends"
''But |. as. the eldest uncle, have the
priority of choicer' shouted Squire
Downs. "Choose for yourself, Betsey
Janen
"Oh, please don'tr' fluttered Betsy
Jane, wringing her poor, little, toll
hardened hands.
This matter has got to be settled"
sal! Uncle Aaron, wagging this head to
aud fro inside the folds of his ponderous
white cravat.
Every one is so good to me-" said
Betsy Jane You are so very, very
kind! Please I'd rather stay where /
am
''lmpoSsible!'' mumbled Uncle Aaron.
"Quite out of the question" said
Squire Downs.
You are too young" said Aunt Mil
dred.
TOO pretty" suggested Mrs. Smith.
1--WE are any of us ready to give you
a home" said Amelia Allen cordially
1--WE couldn't reconcile it TO our con-
science to leave you here alonen' sobbed
Mrs Downs.
Betsy Jane hung down her pretty
head How could she impart TO this
miscellaneous tumble of people the
dearest secret of her life-how she had
grown to like" the young foreman OF
the Kid Glove Factory; how they were
engaged to be married if ever that
scapegrace of levanting husband OF
hers should take himself off this mortal