The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-04-25
THE NEWS FROM PETERSHAM.

Mrs. Peak had been to Petersham
herself, to spend Thanksgiving with her
niece, and brought the first account Of
old Mr.. Johnson's illness.
Mrs. Jesse Johnson, his daughter-in-
law, had come in for a few minutes
Thursday afternoon, and had said it
was the first time since she could re-
member that the old gentleman had not
been in his seat in church on Thanks
giving Day. And they all felt. as if it
were great break
"He would insist upon setting at the
table" said Mrs. Jesse, ''but he looked
too feeble to be out of his bed. These
bad colds take hold of man Of his
years"
After the visitor had gone Mrs. Peak
and her niece Martha had talked good
deal about the changes in the family
which would be sure to come when Mr..
johnson died.
81 know that Jesse's folks are de-
pending upon getting lift, said
Martha. "Mis' Jesse has limited as
much to me more than once, for she
says Jesse's got more than he can carry
mn his business, and everything would
be easy if he only had q little more
capital Truth is, have an idea that
he S leased a good share away from his
father now, and the old gentleman isn't
so ready SIS he used to DO 10 further his
projects. And there's William, his
other son, know it to be fact that he
is intending to go out West when his
fathers taken away, He has had no
tion of it for good while; his Wife 8
sisters folks are all out there and do
ing we'll
They'll be very much missed as q
family, said Mrs. Peak; chow Peters
ham has changed from what it was when
was girlp'
When she went homo the next day
she was quite downhearted, and told
Asa Fales, who happened to be in at the
depot when the train came in and of
fered to carry her home, that old Mr.
Daniel johnson was breaking up-at
least, so his family seemed to think.
Asa Fales was deeply concerned; the
two villages were only few miles
apart, and he had been Petersham
boy. 1t was old Mr. johnson to whom
he owed his rise in the world, and he
remembered that he might never have
owned this fourishing country store If
it had not been for this kind friend IS
assistance.
Besides, he had been confident of Mr..
Johnson's support--if he could make
up his mind to buy large tract OF
woodland which would pay well for
being cleared the very next winter. He
was already indebted to him, however,
and it would be very different thing ii
he were the debtor of the eager heirs.
So with all this in his mind he ques-
toned Mrs. Peak, anxiously, and they
concluded that Mr.. Johnson's end was
not far distant.
"Of course he made great effort to
get to the table on account of its being
Thanksgiving" said Asa, sorrowfully,
'hut I'm afraid he'll give right up now.
I'd ride over to see him tomorrow. but
/ can't get away. Ills right in my busy
times I'm buving up a great deal OF
wood this fall, and some of 'em are
bringing it in now ON wheels instead OF
waiting for snow"
The snow docs keep off late this
year." said Mrs. Peak. Here it's the
first o. December, and there's only been
one furry that was hardly more than q
hoar-frost."
They had reached the little gray house
behind the lilac-bushes, where Mrs. Peak
lived alone, and as she unlocked its side
door and went in, it seemed strangely
cold and lonely.
'' must look about for lively kit
ten, she said to herself; they're q
sight Of company, and what trouble il
gave would be no harm. | declare il
makes me feel lonesome; all the folks
have always been used to knowing seem
to be dying off. | always set good
deal by Daniel Johnson
Two neighbors looked up the road q
little later than this through their kitch-
en- windows, and seeing light in Mrs.
Peaks kitchen also, said to themselves
that she might be lonely that evening
without anybody to speak to, and they
would step over and hear the news.
They met at the door, each with shaw
over her head and her knitting-work in
her hands-and were welcomed most
heartily.
Mrs. West, who was very fond Of
talking, began at once to describe heI
experiences Thanksgiving morning,
when she found that the cats had stolen
into the pantry during the night, and
mangled the turkey so that it was only
fit to be thrown away. 1t was too late
70 get anotha-> except rack OF bones