Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-19

| be Of The opinion that it certainly did
appear threatening.
w hat keeps father so late. / won
| der? Ii it Keeps on getting dark as fast
as this the light will have to be fixed
pretty soon.
Thick and fast fell the snowfakes,
hurrying, scurrying down, as if in
haste to see which could first reach the
earth. Every now and then violent
gust of wind would come that romped
and rioted among the dry leaves that
still chung to some of the trees, and
near at hand the waves surged and
dashed and tossed themselves on the
shore and against the rocks.
Il know the lamp ought to be lit.
I'd better 90 right away and do it, "
said Jack, addressing his companions.
AS they raised no objection Jack start
ed, materials in hand, and they follow
ed-to see, no doubt, that everything
was done fairly and squarely. Up the
stairs went the trio, Stub ahead, snuff
ing and peering into all the dark cor
ners, Jack, with the lamp and oil in his
hand, following warily, and Jane, with
a dignity suitable for lady OF her
years, bringing up the rear. Jack
knew how to work. He watched his
father daily, and had sometimes been
allowed TO help him; SO, in very short
time, friendly glow of light poured
through the windows Of the little tow
er, and laid bare the deep, treacherous
rocks with blunt distinctness, while
they stroye vainly to hide beneath the
| stormy waves.
i suppose we might as well get sup
per ready now, against father comes,
and Jack laid the cloth neatly and cut
the bread with will. Like few rare
and isolated boys Of his age, being
hungry was Jacks normal condition,
relieved at occasional intervals by be-
ing satisfied. Supper was waiting
| fathers tea was boiling and bubbling
on the stove Jack limited knowledge
| of cooking had not taught him that tea
| should never be allowed to bold, Jack 5
basin OF broken bread in readiness for
the scalding milk, some dried beef as
! special treat, and plenty of good bread,
| cheese, and butter besides. Inside, ali
was warm and coy, CHEEKY and home
like; outside, stormy and clustering.
''Seyen o'clock, and father not home
yet. Well, the light will burn an hour
yet without fixing Father says il
would burn longer than that, but it's
safest to look at it every four hours,
| and he's sure to be here before it wants
looking to-" So Jack got his faYorite
book from the shelf, and settled down
for a coy read in his father armchair
near the stove. It certainly was very
exciting -where Crusoe and Friday dis
covered the arrival of the one-and-
| twenty sayages, and disturbed them at
their revolving repast. But Jack got
up SO early mornings, and was so active
All the day, that no wonder his ideas
began to stray and his eyes to blink
AID close. Stub had settled himself
near for little quiet meditation-nose
between two black, outstretched fore
paws, and gaze fixed on nothing in
particular; while, Jane, having first
made her toilet for the night by care
full washing and patting, dozed peace
| fully behind the stove. Tired Jack
slept, and dreamed he was Crusoe, and
| had just built beautiful sled, and he
and Friday coasted down among the
cannibals and sent them flying on all
sides; and the old clock licked, licked,
while outdoors the snow blew in
whirls, and weary man fought hard
against the wind and sought to find
again the beaten path to his home.
Hour after hour passed, till the faithful
hammer striking 10, woke Jack in be-
wilderment at not finding himself in his
own little bed.
whats the matter?" he said, shak-
| ing himself and standing. '.Why, how
late it Isl What can have happened to
father?"
Stub reused up, but couldnot answer
the question, SO wisely kept silence
people don't always, you know.
The light! the light! Oh! suppose
it's gone out! I must 90 up this very
minute to see, though it's awfully dark,
and the stoves gone out, too; but
can't stop to make it up now. Come,
Stub, you can 90 with me if you want
to-, said diplomatic Jack, who really
didn't like to 90 through all those dark
passages and stairWays alone, but who
wouldn't have Stub know it for the
world.
! Jack reached the foot of the ladder,
and was slowly mounting, when his
foot slipped and he fell. Stub looked
at him helplessly, and waited for him
to pick himself up. Jack had kept
hold Of his lantern, and fortunately it
had not got eNtinguished; the oil can
fell at a little distance.
"What's the matternow? What ails
my foot?'' said he, making several in
9hectual attempts to stand. '.My,now
it hurtsn" and he held it in his hand
while he brayely kept the tears back.
Il guess I've sprained it, or something.
What shall do? / could manage to
slide down stairs again and wait there
till father comes. But then the light:
that ought to be attended to. Oh, why
amt father back!'' and he WINGED with
pain as a sudden twinge came to his
ankle.
''Oh, dear. its tough work. said he,
as with the oil can slung across one
arm he tried to climb the ladder with
one foot and one knee.
Il guess better give it up-pshaw!
| Whats q follow O0DI for ANYWAY IF he