Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-12

time"
I'm going to be a farmer" said
Tom. We'll go to where there's land
and I'll plant beans and corn. I've
got some put by IN a paper bag. ]
took it one day. When they grow
will pick them. I'll build house
big enough for us out of boards, and
we'll never come back here again
tever."
Never o, dear" and Jane began
TO cry. After awhile she said softly.
''Of course, I shall bring the child2'"
oh, yes" said Tom, land all of
your Clothes"
Then they decided how they were
to escape, where they were to meet,
how Jane was to make bold to ask for
an extra ''piece" that day, pretending
the dog had stolen hers, and how Tom
was to hide half his dinner in his
cap.
Then, as some summoning bell
rang, they parted-Tom, bright and
brisk with his new ambition, poor lit
tie Jane, limp with fear and remorse,
but determined to follow Tom whats
ever his fortunes might be.
At 10 that night Jane, with tear
frock and red flannel petticoat under
her arm. and "the child clasped to
her heart met Tom at the big tree out~
side the poorhouse fence. There was
nothing TO steal in the establishment;
SO, as no one ever wanted to get 10, it
was not very hard to get out.
Besides the child and the frock,
Jane had her bread in bit of news
paper and Tom had made quite q buns
die of possessions. He had his little
bag of corn and beans, q fire shovel
a shirt, his old shoes and long stick
with hook at the end, once the han
die of an umbrella. On this he slung
all their joint property, except the
doll, and addressed Jane as follows:
Remember, now, you are my wife,
and must do exactly as | say-that's
the law; and must be good to you
and do all the hardest work; but you
must cook and mend for me, and I
Think you'd better begin to cali me
husband right away"
yes" sobbed Jane. ooh, isn't it
dark?"
No" said Tom; besides, if it is,
ali the better. Well get into the
woods before they catch us. We shall
be out of town by daylight"
Then they walked on-poor Jane
stumbling often, but Tom held
her hand and did not let her fall. At
length the last little white house was
passed; then came the church with its
tall spire, and then long paling fences
about bits of meadowland. They
were in the country, but not yet ia the
| woods, and both children were grow
ing very sleepy and very tired-so
very tired that finally there was moth
ing for it but to sit down On the grass
under a hay stack, with Toms head
on James knee, and go fast asleep.
Sunrise awakened them They ate
the bread and butter, started on again,
and in few hours the woods were al
around them.
Were safe al last" cried Tom
Nobody can ever find Us here. I'll
build a house and plant nay corn
right away. Do you know how long il
takes corn to GROVE And beans?
No, veutured Jane, doubtingly-
not long, guess.
Il guess not" echoed Tom; "but /
wish we had some more bread and
butter"
By aud by the two explorers came
to nice little spot in the woods close
to q pretty brook. It was very damp,
but there was a clearing which was
easy to plant. Tom dug it over with
his fire-shovel, and put in his beans
and corn In straightrows. Then with
knife that was his greatest treasure,
ne cut underbrush and low branches
enough to make & queer kind of leafy
hut big enough for both to creep into.
1--WE can eat outdoors. We shall
| only want home at nights and when
it rains" said Tom.
But Jane felt doubtful. Her little
flesh was black and blue already, and
yet the grass was long in the bayfield,
here it was sparce and dry, Besides
she wanted her warm milk and water
and her slice of bread and butter, Tom
found some huckleberries near by,
but that did not help the empty
stomachs much, and even at sunset
the corn had not begun to grow neither
| did the beans show their heads above
the earth Suddenly an awful thought
struck Jane
when it grows, Tom," she cried,
"we haven't any saucepan to cook ii
in"
''More we haven't" said Tom. Then
hope dawned upon him. eve could
roast the corn" said he, and I bet
there's an apple tree somewhere"
They wandered about looking for
the tree, or for more berries of some
sort, The tree did not appear, but at
last they found some berries-just one
or two at a time-and the poor child
rem had nothing else to eat Hungry
Tom could have devoured his own
shoes. Meek Jane, before she lay
down on the hard get damp groung,
asked just one question:
do you think the beans will grow
tonight, Tome"
Il told! you to say husband" said
Tom; then added, graciously: Eyes,
Ma, suppose they will"