New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-02-03
MILLY.

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out into the bleak, rainy twilight. ::Pete
has sprained his leg so, slipping down
out of the hayloft, that he can't take a
step on it, and I suppose You and I will
have to finish the chores Milly.''
cali right, mother; 1 can milk old
Speckle as well as not, and then we
have only to close up things for the
night Pete managed to get the hay
down before he got himself down, but I
do think he is the most awkward, un-
lucky creature that we ever had on the
place. Here it isn't week since he
almost cut his thumb off, and it's a
mercy he didn't burn the house up yes
terday when he went and started the
great fire in the fireplace without ever
taking the boards off the chimney!'
eyes, that's so; he does seem a bit I'M
balanced; but feel sorry for the poor
fellow. He is grooming dreadful with
his leg, and won't let me do thing for
it; says he has got it wrapped up and
thinks it will get easier after he gets to
bed. I gave him some liniment for it,
and he went to his room. And now
comes this despatch from Jim, and no
lone to go to the station with his lunch. y
Never mind, mother, we'll fix it
somehow" answered pretty, brown
eyed Mlly, as she hustled about, put
ting on her waterproof and oyershoes,
preparatory to finishing the chores, and
the darkness hid the rosy flush with
which she said, as the first tinkling
streams of milk made music in the pail:
Mother, I believe I can carry Jim's
lunch down to him myself"
Mercy, Milly! I'd never dare to let
you!-the night so dark and the road
80 long and lonely! No, indeed, child;
Jim would never allow it.
II know, but it is too bad for the
poor fellow to go without his supper
this cold, bleak night, and know every
inch Of the way with my eyes shut
Mrs. Hosmer shiycred little as she
drew her shawl closer against the keen
autumn blast, and one could see that
her resolution wayered little.
"a cup of nice, hot coffee from home
would seem kind of cheerful to him.
she said, in a meditative tone, land it's
proper kind of you to make the offer,
child; but doubt its being safe for you
going so far alone"
Nobody would be likely to be out
such night as this, unless it should be
some of the neighboring farmers, and
even if there were, the darkness would
hide me-
.I'm afraid to let you go, Milly. I've
heard of tramps, and y
'tI'll tell you, mother; I'll take Jim's
revolver. He left it in his room the
last time he was at home. y
Well began Mrs. Hosmer, doubt
fully, though you'd never dare to use
it.
eyes would, if really needed to-"
responded Milly; $50 let us call it set
tied, and go in and get something nice
put up for lunch"
Really pleased down in her maternal
heart for this regard for her sons COM
fort, Mrs. Hosmer gave a reluctant con-
sent; for Jim was her only and almost
Idolized child, little Milly being only the
daughter of dear dead friend whose
child Mrs. Hosmer had gladly taken to
her home and heart.
The farm was small and Jim detested
farming; SO man was employed on the
place. while ambitious Jim risked life
and limb as an engineer. He was now
q handsome, stalwart fellow Of twenty
six whose broad shoulders, bronzed
face, and merry eyes were secretly en-
shrined in Milly's heart as her ideal of
all that was noble and manly. AS for
Jim, be, too, had an ideal, and often as
he sat waiting on his engine he pictured
a future freside to which he could turn
for rest instead of his barren boarding
house, and the woman's face that al
ways smiled his welcome in it's light was
wonderfully like the little picture OF
Milly that he always carried in the
pocket Of his blue flannel shirt Many a
time the engine light shone over the
sweet face as it lay on his grim palm in
intervals of work, and Jim would whis-
per, softly, s'by and by, little girl as
he carefully slipped it back where it
sbeat with every beat Of his heart.
Working faithfully and steadily, Sc
cretE laying the foundation Of that
ideal home, Jim had gained the respect
and confidence of his employers and
was on the road to promotion. But his
work was now somewhat varied, and
when the busy season came and freight
was moving freely, he often ran s:wild
train" through Rock6eld, as the little
place was called, where "a station had
been erected for the accommodation of
'the surrounding farmers.