Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-07-12
M EGGS LUCK
A LEAP YEAR STORY.
copyrighted 1885,
BY ELLIS M. CLARK L.

suggestive of Feasibility.
"Unele."
The response was timid and appre,
hensive. The speakers were uncle and
niece-an adopted daughter.
"There's got to be a wedding or-oI
there'll be a laundering sudden vacancy
about this house." roared the old man
"A-a-vacancy, uncle! l don't I'M
der"
"Well, you will understand, if that
young Dewd don't represent pretty
suddenly. Amt he here two-thirds of
his time? Egad! hasn't he taken up
permanent quarters here? And what's
he comm for? Courtin? Does he cal
culate to go on sparkin' and burnin' my
coal. and wearin' out my furniture the
rest of his natural life ? tell you there's
got to be business done. He's a good
enough sort for a husband if he ever
does intend to give the parsOn a chance
but there's got to be some proposin'
done tonight. Now yon hear me: And
with this ultimatum the irate old gen
tleman rushed from the room.
Meg proceeded to dissolve herself to
tears. until a happy thought checked
the impending dissolntion--it was Leap
Year.
4
"Well," said Mr.. Plainfolks laconic-
ally.
1t was at the breakfast table.
"Were, that is-Charley and l-We're
to be married next week." stammeTed
Meg through her bushes.
"Iey. Good gracious. You don't
mean that that young noodles scared
up spunk enough to ask ye!' calculated
Mr. DlainfOlES WOnlprinplY.
NO, uncle, heI,-we--well, | pop
ped, said Meg in great confusion.
"Hurray, You're brick" declared
the delighted old man, as he bestowed
rousing kiss Oh the blushing girl
One week after the wedding Mr..
Plainfolks summoned the young couple
into his library.
Charles" said he, chow would you
like to follow Horace Greeley'S advice,
and with Iowa for battle ground
make your fortune in the great wcst?'
Charles replied that he was open to a
proposition that possessed the requisite
attractivenesS.
"Weu." continued the old man, I've
got a considerable landed property in
Iowa, in Audubon county, in the shape
of stock farm or two, and some rich
bottom farms, and have been wanting
to send some one ont there as resident
manager. Now I'll tell you what I'll
do; if you will accept that position, I'll
locate you and Meg in one of the towns
adjacent-in fact a yeritable little gem
of an embryo city, Audubon. and fit
you out i'll housekeeping, to start with.
"What sort of a town is Audubon =
enquired Charles, wisely non-cOmmit-
tai until he learned more concerning
his possible future home.
audubon? It's one of the brightest
prettiest and most promising little cities
in all the wonderful west declared
PlainfOlks enthusiastically. "T0pO.
graphically it is daisy, for there is
every variety of landscape to be enjoyed
from its doors. Nesting like gem on
the slope of noble headland that Swells
out into a vast plateau, at its feet rolls
beautiful valley, with alternate open
ingS and clusters of timber, while
pretty stream winds away III graceful
angles till it is lost in a cleaning silver
thread in the distance"
"Beautifult' exclaimed Meg, as her
uncle. unSkilled AS an enthusiast,
paused for breath.
"And it is as enterprisiRg, progress
i've and thrifty as it is beautiful" re-
sumed the old man. 1T is very home
of culture, morality and intelligence,
though modest in extent. 1t is a nu-
cleuS about which, as | verify believe,
will in few years be gathered Il tenn
ing mart of trade and the happy homes
of thousands of prosperous mechanics.
Practically, there is glorious promise
for Audubon. Its location is surely
calculated To promote the healthful
growth of enterprise. Surrounding
it is country fair and fertile as any
the sun of Iowa shines upon: especially
for stock and agricultural purposes.
Than the uplandS that crown the valleys
there could be no better ranges desired;
while the valleys themselves, and they
are numerous, are rich in illuyial soil
that has already made the fortunes of
the pioneers who were wise enough to
settle among them
"What are the market facilities ?" en-
guired Charles with an eye to the prac-
tical.
Excellent. Audubon has two rail
roads-the Great Rock Island and the
Chicago Il North estern-with prac-
ticaIly outlets to all points of both sys-
tens. ] don't know of an internal city
in Iowa that possesses quite so deSir-
able advantages for reaching all points
of the compass by rail, without being
handicapped by contiguous little sta
lions as are the cities Immediately sit
mated on trunk lines"
"What is the character of her towns
men,?
"They're the right sort. Audubon is
fortunate. They've got push, vim and
enterprise; they've got hospitality and
kindness: they're not afraid to launch
their dollars when either individual Ell,
terprise, or the good of the community
is concerned. The smell of the new
lumber and the aroma of green paint
that fills the atmosphere during the
building season speaks volumes for the
faith the business men have in the fu
ture of their town."
And society, religion, educational
facilities 81"
"As | said, the people are intelligent
and moral; that means schools and
church organizations. They have as fine
school buildings as you viii find il
many day, and church edifices tina!
will compare with any in the state
There are also number of flourishing
secret orders"
"IIas the town beom?"
'Not in the ordinary acceptatiOn OF
tiit tCliu, llIJlC 10 otll tilClt, DbtI III
fictitious, artificial BOOM The town
is not ancient as among railroad towns
and is naturally located just where a
considerable business point is needed
the country is filling up with an enter
prising class of people, and as result
there is considerable building. Hon,
estly, do not know of more promis.
ing place for a young man like you
Charles, possessed of moderate means,
and an ambition to find wealth, health
and happiness all in one. The town is
young, healthy, vigorous and has grand
future"
'Well, -well 60" was Charles laconic
answer, having received a vigorous
affirmative nod from Meg in response
to a look of inquiry.
The bus from morning train on the
Chicago Il North Western road rolled
up TO the Stuart House. The Plain.
folks-Dewd party had arrived, and
under the guidance of Mr. Plainfolks
had taken quarters at the Stuart.
Its a typical Iowa hotel OF the best