River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-07-19


high key.
If you two don't stop quarreling.
he surely won't like either of you. said
their mother, looking in the door at
this moment. Don't get your ideas
10 high up, children, she went on;
''but, to be sure, Uncle Patterson has
got nice house, ant big barn. and
cows and chickens and horses. and we
shall live in clover, if he makes up his
mind to have US. So, if you want to
go, remember you must all behave so
like little ladies when he first comes
that he'll say to himself: Those
children won't be any trouble to me;
I'd rater have them than not"
I'VE surely will, mamma" said all
three little girls; and, indeed, they
meant il.
That was very long week. but the
eventful day came at last. Saturday
dawned clear and dry and warm. There
was no danger lest Uncle Patterson
should change his mind on account of
the weather. They might expect him
/ by the stage, he had written. The
stage came by at five o'clock in the
afternoon. He would stay all night. of
course. So Mrs. Milham had been
giving their one little spare room an
extra cleaning and arranging. A nat
ural good taste and skill at needle
work had made the room, even with
its Old-fashiOned furniture and white
walls, very attractive. The bed
spread and pillow-cases and towels
were spOtless.
To a man who had any eyes to OBJ
serve, every thing in the room was the
strongest recommendation of the house
keeping abilities of the one who had
made it ready. There was, of course,
to be something a little extra for sup
/ per. Bess had gone so far as to sug-
gest frosted cake, but the others were
not so daring.
The children were thoroughly drilled
and posted as TO all their duties, and
| had made most solemn resolutions to
observe all the good old rules about
being seen and not heard, not speaking
unless spoken to, and 50 forth. Moth
ing should be found in their words or
actions that the most precise and crit
zeal Of uncles could find fault with.
Lizzy had been out to the village for
something that morning, and when
she came back she had news to tell
event out Of their minds. "Oh, man.
ma, what do you think?" she cried,
running in breathless. Now, last
night there was a hOrrid old tramp
came to Deacon JOhnsOn's, and nobody
but Mrs. johnson was home, and he
was awful ugly. He made her give
him some supper, arid then he wanted
some money. and said he'd knock her
down if she didn't give it to him-and
only that Deacon johnson came home
and chased him of with hOrse-whip,
she thinks he'd have killed her. And
he hasn't been caught yet, though
some men from the city have been
after him"
Mercy on u.s. said Mrs. Milham.
IF there is one thing I'm afraid of, it 5
tramp. | hope to goodness he won't
wander out here. | don't know what
we ShOUlf do"
He'll take Bess first. -" suggested the
ever-ready Carry. shes so fat he can
eat her if he's hungry"
Mo, he won't. neither, rOared Bess,
and burst into an agOnized wall at the
prospect.
People said that Carry's nose was
badly put out Of joint when Bess came,
and that she never got over being a
little Jealous of her. Certainly there
never was a very long peace between
them.
Why, whyr' said Mrs. Milham.
There, Bess, nobody is going to touch
you, Carrie, I'd be ashamed to tease
her 50, just think, you two quarreling.
and Uncle Patterson coming only this
evening" This was enough. The
two cOmbatants subsidized. and the
tramp alarm was swept out of the
children's minds.
Afternoon came, and it got to be
three o'clock. Never had the hours
seemed to move so slowly to the little
girls Their clean, white dresses lay
on the bed i'm their mothers room, re-
served to be put on at the last moment,
so that by no mishap could a speck of
dirt soil them. Playing was almost
out Of the question. They could only
watch the clock and long for the time
to hurry ON.
well. | declare" exclaimed their
mother hurrying suddenly out of the
closet, IF didn't forget to tell you to
get sugar this morning. Lizzy! There
isn't a grain i'm the house. do believe.
Here. YOU run down to the village-no,
l can go quicker myself. There'll be
plenty Of time before the stage comes"
She hastily put on her sunbOnnet,
but Just as she was going out of the
door an uncomfortable recollection
crossed her mind. That tramp
| what If he should come here while |
am away
She turned TO the children. ''Lizzy,n
she said. Il want you TO be very care
full while am gone to keep the door
shut and locked. Don't let any body
in unless it Is one of the neighbOrs. If
any strange man should come, looking
like that tramp. and knock. keep quiet
and don't pay any attention, so that
he'll think there's no one at home and
go away"
The caution was enough. The chill
dren's faces grew scared and their eyes
large at the suggestion. They had
come to think Of tramp as AN awful
being combining the worst qualities of
the ghost. the lion and the ogre of the
fairy stOries-a creature whose very
least ofTense was devOuring children
alive There was no danger Of their
not keeping their promise to be care
full in this matter.
Their mother went away, and Lizzy
Immediately locked and bOlted the
door. shut all the blinds. and fastened
the windows They even talked in low
tones for time. lest the horrible
tramp should be somewhere lying in
wait and should hear them. until Carry
could not resist the temptation to tell
Bess. who was sitting by the wood
box. that a great long arm was reach
/ ing ont Of il TO grab her.