The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-11
TIE
ANONYMOUS LETTER
The Strange History OF a
Scrap OF Paper.

CHAPTER III
A PICNIC.

Daylight comes stealing in Ger the
wooded hills when they ava ken. And what
beautiful sight met their gaze. Locking
ont through the window toward the south
they saw lovely little lake, its mirror sur
face rejecting the bright rays of the rising
sun. Away across on the opposite shore
they could see a building of some sort, evil
IDENTITY mill.
How lovely it all looked that summer
morning, Neither of our young friends
would have acknowledged the charge of be-
ing Of all sentimental. Theirs was the roll
licking, rough and ready nature, and yet
the natural beauty spread before them i'm
pressed them with a sense of its greatness.
Dick was one of those large hearted,
whole souled fellows who would not will
fully hurt the most insignificant Of Gods
creatures. They had q right TO live, he
argued. They were created for some pur-
pose. and what right had We 10 destroy
life that God in His wisdom had created.
In his likes and dislikes he was open and
frank. Such nature as his, sincere and
generous, was capable Of love strong and
deep-a love that would think no sacrifice
too great to promote the happiness of the
object Of its devotion. Tom he looked
upon as a brother. Their families had
been neighbors for years. They had gone
70 school together, had grown up into
iidIluDDu ttf%ttutI- anu were lLtlcEu IhSt r.
arabic.
Their morning toilet is scarcely COM
pleted ere they hear the voice OF Mr.. Ray
mond outside the door, calling TO them in
CHEEKY tones, and informing them that
breakfast awaits. And huIriedly they de-
scend.
Claudio is standing at the door, gazing
out upon the lake. and as she hears their
step she turns and smilingly bids them
good morning. How lovely she looks, ar
aged IN a pretty neat-fitting lawn dress,
scarlet ribbon at her throat, and rose
bud eutwined within those wavy coils of
Jet black hair
Mr.. Raymond ueets them in his cordial
way, and hopes their first night meath hi
roof was not disturbed by bad dreams.
And speaking thus they assemble about
the breakfast table and discuss plans for
the day.
At this season Of the year., Raymond
remarks, hunting is not the best. The fall
and winter is the time We have our greatest
sport. l have a plan TO propose for the
day, however, and it is this We will all
row across the lake. We can take fishing
tackle and luncheon, and remain out all
day. / have a little business to attend to
over at the mill, and We can take that in on
oUr way"
That will be delightful, cries Claudio,
her eyes sparkling.
Indeed it Will, !" responds Dick, pleased
to think that this plan viii not exclude heir
young hostess.
What do you think of it, Mr.. Warner"
II think that q ride on yonder little lake
will be one Of tha pleasantest things i'm
aginable,' responds Tom, providing |
don't with my usual ill-luck and awkward
ness, tumble overheard. F"
There is general laugh at this.
We'll, Will take you along with me, so
that | can look after you, and Mr., Hargraye
may accompany Claude"
Dick looks his thanks at this and chances
over toward Claude, who certainly doesn't
look displeased.
Tom wishes he had not been quite so
prompt to speak OF his ill-luck and awk-
wardness.
Ard now says Raymond, rising, we
will prepare for our trip, and if you wish to
send any word to your friends, gentlemen,
You viii find paper and pens at the desk in
the front room. Mail is carried once a day
from the mill to Hillsboro"
Thank you, replies Dick Il will avail
myself of the privilege to write few lines
to father"
i am thankful that it is not necessary
for me to write. observes Tom; its always
such bore for me to get up letter.
Well, then, continues Mr.. Raymond
smiling, you can come and help me get
the boats ready, and Claudio and Mr.. Har-
grave can follow at their leisure.
In a Few minutes Dick has scrubbed off
a short letter to his father, informing him
of the pleasant time he is having and the
friends lie has met not negleCting a very
warm and enthusiastic description of their
hosts daughter. When he had completed
tins and added his address. Claudio stands
ready. basket in hand. What a beautiful
day 1t is. The sun shines brightly all
around, and as they saunter down the little
path to where the boats lie moored. they
are chatting gayly on trivial things, which,
to more serious observer, would seem
childish. But what care they, the world
looks bright to them this summer morning,
and their hearts are light and gay. Tom
and Raymond have the boats In readiness
and are impatient to be off
we must row directly across in order to
catch the mail carrier" observed Raymond.
Warner and / will take the large skitf and
go ahead, and you and Claude follow in
the other.
"Au right, cries Dick, and look ont that
you are not left far behind"
merry laugh is the only answer. as the
two men shoot DER the water. Claudio
seats herself in the stern and holds the til
Ter ropes, while Dick grasps the oars. and
with a long and heavy stroke sends the boat
skimming along in pursuit.
Are You fond of boating, Miss Ray
monde" be is saying, as they move along.
Indeed / am, she replies, and l spend
a great deal of my time out here ON the
water
Il love it, I" continues Dick, and will
never forget the pleasure | experienced one
year ago, IN gliding down the grand old
Mississippi, aboard one Of those superb
floating palaces. The moon, shedding its
soft RAYS over the beautiful scenery. and
the music and laughter on board, il is all
wildly impressed upon my mind.
oh. isn't it grand l have experienced
that delightful trip also. was born in the
South, Mr.. Hargrave and we lived there
until We moved to Philadelphia recently. +"
All, l almost knew you were South
erner, Miss Raymond, those dark, express
81 e eyes proclaim the fact" He says this
with a trite more enthusiasm than the cir
cumstauces warrant, and Claudio drops her
eyes, as she answers:
My mother was of Spanish birth"
You speak in the past tense?"
Yes; She died when l was quite young.
Papa and / are all alone IN the world
There is an expression akin 10 sadness
in her tones, which prompts Dick to say:
Do not say that, Miss Claudio, for |
hope from this time forth that l may have
the honor Of being considered one of yom
firm and true friends
Thank You Mr.. Hargrave friends are
not so mum rous that one can afford TO re-
iect your Kindness
She has withdrawn one little brown
glove. and is idly trailing her fingers
through the water. making little ripping
waves.
Dick rests on his oars, and is gazing
round at the scenery. lis pretty little
lake, with here and there great patches OF
white and yellow lilies. The shores agt
green and shady. Occasionally some
waterfowl goes skimming along over 1t.
surface, and now and then a huge pike o.
bass springs up in view.
Speaking of the South makes me tniul
Of your colored servant, Chloe Las
night, you were singing that Southern
song, she came stealing into the front
room and stood there with head bent for,
ward, Intently listening. until YOU had fin.