National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-06
ASILLINoIs PASTORAL.
The Inter Ocean.

mixture Of awe and antagonism. lilo no
longer seemed one with thom, Tor the nc"
tavern was of yellow stone
Gazing wistfully at the deserted hos
telrv OF rough.hewn logs the settlers
shook their heads and told stories OF the
good old days, =,
"Those we're stirring times" they said
when the deer bounded past the very
tavern window. Then old Shabbona, the
Indian chief, often rode by, his ronys
gay trappings glittoring in the sunlisn
Yet to any other people save those born
pioneers. whose restless hearts ever
sought moro remote wilderness, Run
let's Grove would have seemed primitive
and lonely enough in those days. Nortn'
ern Illinois was then little more tnan
broad expanse Of prairie.
What raoy flavor What peculiar vigor
had frontier life then Stimulating TO
the imagination as the breeze that blew
oyor those miles of blossoming prairie
was to the lungs.
True. Danger and Hardship-heroic
twin sisters-mct one at every turn OF
tho road out upon these painless wilds,
where the rank grass often reached
above tho horses head as the traveller
rode on his lonely way. When he ar
rived at settlement aud YEARLY lay
down to rest. another peril Threatened,
especially if his dress or manner gavo
evidence Of any valuables In his possess
zion.
porbans tho entiro Mississippi valley
,ras In car,y, davs more infested with rob-
beers and desperadoes than any other part
of the country. II is n matter OF historic
cal record that forty years ago an organ
ilcd hind of robbers and biaclklcgs rem
dored norts of Illinois and Iowa very UNI
ssfe. But if there were those in Runlots
Grove whom thofr neighbors looked upon
with distrust, there were still many hon
est. kindly hearts. or these Landlord
Fiipp was by no means the least hospit-
abls.
Thus IL hammered that the first celebra-
tion of that national holiday, the Fourth
of Julv. ever held in tho village took place
in the woods surrounding the tavern.
That mornin0 the people came trooping
In from Linden Center, Johnson's Grove,
and even from as distant a place as Hixon.
whore the land office was.
Amonu other dishes for that memorable
fenst was A deer shot by Oscar Sherwood.
Then there were sorrel pies roast pigs,
and other delicacies seldom heard Of now.
After dinner the crowd assembled In
the tavern ward 10 listen to Mai. Brag-
Tbev had applsuded that distinguished
orator heartily. and were cheering Elder
pnshridoe Who was now addrossinR them,
whom With their shouts mingled tho
boarse mutter OF distant thunder and n
dort hank of clouds in tho west threat
ened n heavy storm.
SnJ no,v Tho staqe came dashinp up the
dusty road.
hut If the four big roadsters were gay
with small flags. what shall be said OF
their driver. Hiram Pratt, as with q
graceful curve of the arm and jaunty
aourish of the whjp he drew up before the
festal dav. his rufIlod shirt.front, snowy
studs and massive brass watch chain,
made him Irresistible in the ewes of the
Pnniet,s Grove bellies.
There was only ono passenger, q lady
lressod in black. She walked wearily up
The halfway. the crowd making way for
bar resnectfullv on either side. one or
two small bows stopping to kick their feet
,vainst the stage drivers pantaloons and
greet him Familiarity with "Hellol Hi |!
Saw, col any firecrackers."
Old Junuua. the Canadian, who had this
doy left his INIT to attend the celebration,
assembled the steps of tho tavern he STUN
blcd against her. Looking up she met
his hermit's fierce little eyes. She shud-
dered and the thought flashed upon her
that his hideous counteance thus meeting
her ON her arrival in Runlet's Grove was
an evil omen. Mrs. Winthrop had creole
blood in her veins and was not entirely
free from superstition.
She declined all refreshments but cup
of tea, and asked to see Mr.. Flipp at
once. When the Jolly landlord made his
appearance Mrs. Winthrop earnestly
bent her dark eyes upon him and related
the cause of her Journey westward. She
said that her husband had left her at
their home in kentucky to come west
where he intended to purchase land and
then send for her. He took with him n
large sum of money and beautiful
black horse. The last she had heard
from him had been in April. Then he
had written her of his intention of buy
ing land in the valley of the Rock river,
near Hixon. She had waited in vain for
news of him, until at last, maddened by
suspense and anxiety, she had come to
seek him,
~ don't remember any one stopping at
nv tavern, ma'am, that answers the de-
scription Of your husband" said Mr.. Flipp
svmpathetically. II was busy all spring
helpinp to build this house, SO that i paid
INIT little attention to travellers. Oscar,
NV hired man. will know
WOscar being called failed to remember
anv person answering to Mrs. Winthrou's
dissertation, Inquiries being Instituted.
Walter Winthrop evidently had never
called at the land office, and although
Elder Busbridge and Mai. Bragwell took
the matter up zealously and made every
endeayor to find some trace of the missing
man. neither in Runlot's Grove nor in ali
the country around was Walter Winthrop
ever seen again.
Then the conviction that her Young
husband had met with foul play began
70 dawn upon Mrs. Winthrop. She lost