Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-05
THE COAL SPRITE.

have just arrived and are going to
board here, and the administrator is
coming to divide the estate to-day; so
YOU see there is plenty of work to do,
and the washing falls to YOU"
''And what has fallen to you, Leola?
Nothing more tiresome than reading in
the hammock, has there?" was the re-
ply Of the little dark-eyed girl who had
just finished tidying the breakfast
room.
What if there hasn't?" spoke up
blonde Leola, haughtily. you can
not expect me to do the drudgery.
Mamma boards you and you must ex-
pect to repay her in some way.
Not quite like an own daughter"
answered Jette, with some spirit; Ssand
if the estate is ever divided I'll be a
slave no longer; I'll take care of nv
own, and that is all Twill attend to"
That is all that might be expected
of you Jette Hastingsi Ungrateful as
ever, after all mamma has done for
you.
Il am not ungrateful," said ,Jette,
beginning to pack her dinner in little
tin pail to take with her to tt spring.
but that great washing of coal-be-
grimed bedding and miners clothes is
more than days work for two strong
women. But | will do it tbs time, and
il the estate is divided to-day it will be
the last one | will do"
Loola Maybee's only reply was a
little sheer, and Jette left the room to
make preparations for her work.
This conversation had occurred in a
bOarding-hOuse known as the Mountain
House, in the coal region of Pennsylva-
MIA. It's former owner had been Har-
Vey Hastings, Jette's father, who had
recently died, leaving an extensive
tract of land on the mountain side
where he had kept large dairy. His
will had given Jette one-third of this
property, and the remainder to his
widow, who was Jette's step-mother,
and who had been q widow with one
daughter when she married Harvey
Hastings.
This daughter Lcola Maybee, was
about Je ties age, but she was brought
up as a lady, while Jette toi1ed at the
baking and the laundry work as the
verieSt slave.
This, Jette had often thought ex-
tremely unjust, and this morning, as
she departed with her load for the
spring. her thoughts were very bitter,
and she noted not the handsome Young
civil engit Ger who was stretched out
on the piazza just under the window of
the breakfast room, and must have
heard the conversation of the two girls,
nor yet the romantic scenery which
surrounded her
None of the beauties of the deep
green forest below her, through which
lay her way to the spring. caught her
eye. No thought of the towering
mo nlain upon the other side, whose
rOCk-clad summit seemed to reach the
skies, where, far up as the eye could
reach, the blackened coal ears were
winding their way toward its base,
made any impression upon her; she
only thOught of the toll and de-
privGtiOn of her own lot, and even I'M
just thoughts of her father crowded in
upon her weary brain.
''Why did he make such an unjust
will?' thought she. Mrs. Hastings
will have it divided to suit herself. and
| will have to take the stony, mac
cessible mountain side, where even a
goat cannot Chamber. But [ will build
me hut and live there before [ will
stay here and be her slaver' And the
tears rolled over the bright, dark cheek
Of the usually brave little girl as she
tTed with water the great brass kettle
which hung by the side of the spring,
and built roaring fire beneath it, and
began to rub the grimy articles with
her little brown hands.
Burt Fay, the head engineer of the
corps stationed at the Mountain House,
was soon discovered by his enterprising
hostess and invited into the parlor,
where it was much cooler than on the
piazza, the lady said.
The young man doubted it, but being
quite the gentleman, he followed Mrs.
Hastings into Il room whence came the
voice OF young lady singing.
Leola Maybee arose from her seat as
the two entered. and Mrs. Hastings
said smilingly,-
'Leola, have brought YOU gentle
man to entertain. Miss Maybee, Mr..
Fay, who is waiting for some of his
corps to arrive, and who is to be with
us for a time"
The young lady bowed with be-
witching smile, and alas that it was so!
the young man wondered if Mrs. Hast
1ngS was manRuvring mamma, and
had planned the introduction.
AT his request Miss Leola resumed
her seat at the piano, and after several
instrumental pieces and a song the
young lady asked him to sing.
As he took his seat at the piano he
noted name in gilt letters engraved
upon the rosewood case; '.Jette Hast
ings."
The young man seemed to be struck
with the peculiar name, and after read
ing it aloud he Asked
.sWas that the young lady | saw in
the breakfast room this n,orning?"
Leola bowed, saying
Eyes, that was Jette Hastings; but
the piano was her mothers, who bore
the same name.
'tAnd does Miss Jette play also?" he
asked with much interest.