Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-11-05
THE OLD SLEIGH.

egg that would do credit to the queen of
any poultry yard,
'.WelI, | alters said that hen was thank
full for past mercies, though your father
would laugh every time | said so.
Liddy Stephens has just been here; she
wanted TO see you, but you was gone so
long that thought You must be down to
Miss Pencils"
Eyes, ] met her as she came through
the yard"
"She didn't tell You the news, did she?"
'She told me Win Marston had returned
from California"
at does beat all bout that boy-seems
just like the piece o. poetry you read some
times about the Teller that went off and
staid SO many years and then come back
and took his mother out o the poor-house
only its tho father this time. The very
worst of tho dcacon's six it called him,
and that's Jest what Will was then. new
cr believed he had anything to do with
that scrape down to the village myself.
Liddy says he's terribly rich and is going
to care for his father: the decon must be
glad, for guess he's staid with Caleb as
long M he can comfortable. The say
he's going to marry Sam Millers darter
Ruth. You see when Bob Miller went
out there for his health Will found him
out and done some kindness for him, and
when he was too silk to write home Will
wrote for him. Part o the time Sam
was sick hisseIf, so Ruth answered the
letters and he fell in love with her in that
way. There didn't anybody but the
deacon and the Millcr's know he was
coming. Sam drove down to the depot
and carried him up to Caleb's. Guess
they were surprised to sec him"
There is no knowledge how long Mrs.
Allen would have gone on, her tongue
keeping time to- the busy click clack of
her needles, had not MIR. Aliens steps
sounded on tho walk.
Elizabeth never talked much, and the
mother did not mind her silence tonight.
A slight quivor about the sensitive mouth
alone told how keenly the words were felt,
and the sight of relief which escaped at
welcomed sound of her fathers voice was
lost in tho noise made ms he entered,
stamping the SNOW from his boots.
"Nhy, father does il snow? | ben so
busy talking, hain't thought to look out
Of the window for some time
yes, it's begun TO conc down right
smart; shouldn't wonder il it was good
aleighing 10y tomorrow"
lyon don't think its going to be long
storm
Mrs. Aliens face had I'm anxious express
sionsion as she asked the question, for
long storm meant days of exile for her.
NO, sh'lI lac surprised if it don't clear
up by tomorrow noon, SO Elizabeth and
can take "a ride up to the village; thatll
he treat, won't il darter?" And the
smile that lighted up his daughters lace
pleased him better than any answer could
have done
Guess I'll get the old sleight out. Ben
Smart's ben down to the city and he says
he saw lots Jest like it, Its five years
slnce | sent Jim to the village for new
one, and it's never been out since. I'm
glad it's c'mC into fashion again, for |
mover enjoyed myself complete in the ew
one always felt a little above my sta
ton" And Farmer Aliens laugh rang
through the old sitting room at the fitness
of his remark.
well, Lizaboth, you get supper on the
table aud III tell father the news while he
warns his feet He's been down to the
wood lot MI the afternoon and hain't
heard nothing of the strange things that
has been happening up here"
Having arranged things TO her satisfac-
ton, tho stockings Mrs. Allen had dropped
on tho entrance of her husband contin-
uod to grow under her deft fingers, while
the news lost none of its interest with
repetition.
That night, after 'Lilabeth had taken
her candle and said good night Mr.. Allen
sat for some time looking Mt the fire,
then suddenly broke out
Mother, don't you think 'Lizabeth
looks kind q peaked latelYY Then, she
don't seem Ia eat rs much as usual"
Three, father, you're always frotting
bout that girl ! don't know what you'd
done if yo'd had six, like your brother
Jonathan"
Il didt know but the news about Will
might effect her some. They used TO
think so much of each other"
"Massy, father! that was years and
years ago, when they were children.
'Lizaheth's too sensible girl to let a fell
Ter like Will disturb her. When he stop.
ped writing to her she gave him up. She
worked hard to day, and Il good MY hts
rest will bring her round
There seemed nothing moro to be said
SO he took light and proceeded to make
everything safe for tho night, but long
after his good wife was asleep he lay
awake in bed thinking of the pale face
his daughter hadlifted for the good night
kiss.
Lizaheth WAS not likely to get the
streugthh her mother thought from nights
rest
Until the first rays of morning lighted
up the east she lay thinking of the old
days and living them over again. She
could not remember the time when she
Win had not seemed to belong to each
other.
When they were children he had drawn
her To and from school on his sled, saved
her the largest half of his orange or APP
pie, and fought all her battles with n vigor
worthy of an older knight
When the years III their flight made
them no longer children it was always
Win who, at the close of meeting or sing
ing school, drew her arm through his with
an air of prnpriet-rship and started for
the Allen farm
After his mothers death he had not
chosen his associates wisely. but in spite
of scorn and opposition, without dis
obedience, she had chung to him and
trusted.
Then camo the affair OF the village
One dark night party of roughs had
broken into Squire Peasiey's barn, tied
together the legs of all his hens, nailed up
Nhltefoot's stall, and then climbing up
the roof of the ell had placed a board
soaked in salt and water over the chin
ney. The old gentleman, who lived alone
WAS obliged to travel on slippery
GROUND to the nearest neighbor for help.
The villagers were justly indignant and
for Furnishing the miscreants, but no
clew to them could be found,
VIII was away from home that night
and suspicion rested on him as one of
the party, until he could bear it no long
er and he decided TO 20 away.
II seemed but yesterday their part
ing IN the old trystlng place.
VIII had slipped the tiny gold band
he Wore upon her finger it seemed but
thread of gold now-asking her to wear
It until he came back.
For" he said. IN never come back
till | can offer you a name and a home.
Somehow the devil has had possession of
me lately, but bad as am would scorn
to do what they accuse me torture a
feeble old man. While you believe and
trust me there are plenty who do not"
And with a last Good by my Beth" he
wa, gone.
When the first letter came addressed
to Miss Beth Allen in Willis round boy
ish hand MIR. Allen frowned and his wife
Scoldod, but when she was for stonpinv