Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-18

level and very fertile, and the farmers
we're always sure of real good crops. l
remember the sweet corn went far ahead
of odr'n for richness, and as for the rock
turnips and salery, they couldn't be beat.
All around the valley were high hills that
gave the village sheltered appearance
as 1t were, and they kept the place real
cool IN the summer and warded off
good deal of cold in the winter. Not far
from Aunt Mirandy's farm were some al
most straight up and down rocks, hoary
with age, and they were all covered with
little waving ferns, fine maiden-hair and
other kinds, and they looked so kindsr
smart and suite. waving in the breese.
These rocks made sort of overhanging
shelter, so that people in early times used
TO go there for meditation and prayer
for their solitude was as good as a church
There was one tall rock that you could
see as you were driving down into Wood
bury and it was called Bethel" aud /
have no doubt it looks today jest as il
did when was young chap.
Aunt Mirandy lived in a stone hoHse
in what was called Judson's lane; the
house was kuilt in 1870 by some of Aunt
Mirandy's forefathers, and it was in an
excellent state of preservation when
saw it last. It wasn't a very large house,
only cottage with wing; and it was
built of poor-looking stone, too, for it
looked as though it was full of iron rust
and the rust had run down IL little
streams all over the front and sides, and
gave the house rather dingy appear
ance. There were only two small cham
bers, one in each end, with low sioping
ceilings and windows with lattice frames;
but the windows looked down into plea :
SAINT gardens, and over fair fields of wav-
ing grain, and near by was quite
little grove OF hemlock and spruce,
that made pleasant spot of green, when
the hills and fields were covered with snow
and one was shut upon the house for
days.
The house was very old fashioned, with
hall running through it with a door ct
each end; and in the top panel of each
door was a diamond shaped psne of
thick greenish glass that let in a little
dim light; the living rooms were on one
side, and amt Mirandy's bedroom in
the wing on the other. The keeping
room was always shut up, and it was full
of cd splndle-legged furniture, the pride
and tosmeDt of aunt Mirandy's life; for
1t took her nearly all the time TO keep it in
that state of shine so as TO DE "upsides"
Gas aunt Mirandy expressed IT'D with the
minister's wife, who had old furniture
too. Back of the keeplngroom was the
setting room, with two windows looking
out into the yard and cabbage beds. Il
had humbly rag carpet on the floor, an
old fashioned ebony secretary, with big
brass rings for handles, stood between
the windows, and right opposite was
aunt Mi-andy's claw footed workstand,
with two deep drawers with glass knobs !;
and on it always stood her Bible, and
work basket, and copy of Baxter's
Saints Rest; and over the stand hung a
picter Ga queer looking thing it was too)
made by hand, and the work of a Manx
sailor, in his off hours at home.
Il was an awful interesting picter look
ed at close; it was worked with worsted
on canvas, and it represented a ship in
full trim, all sails seG and carrying the
United States flag, and you could fairly
see the flag bio Y in the breeze as the ship
sailed along. 1t had hull lot o little
| ensjgns flying on rope, and the sailor
that worked it said "ahey were the innl-
tIals of the craft, and spelt the word
Essex" The ship (ghich was big
one) carried IL guns, and every little
pulley and rope was as natural as life;
full steam Was up you'd jest swear 1t
was smoke coming out of the smoke
stack. The picter was framed and glazed,
and over the back was pasted thick brown
paper to keep out the dust. The hull
thing sold for $75, and aunt Mirandy
drew it for so cents in a raffioe. The
sailor was poor and aunt Mirap6y sorter
felt sorry for him, and bought a ticket
to help him along; but she hankered after
the picter consid'able, and the sailor told
her che hoped TO gracious she'd draw II"
and so she did. I'm particular in desorib-
ing this ERE picter to you, for something
that happened to Thankful two years
alter | came out here.
Aunt Mirandy, as I always called her,
though she was no sort of kin to me, was
real friend to me, and always took my
part. She didn't like my step father and
her brother-in-law, and once she told me
in confidence that Jedediah proposed to
her before he did to my mother. 'Jabe,"
said she, "after poor sister Mira died
jed came over here clear down in the
depths, and a lookin' as though horse
had kicked him (for his face was as long
as my arm;) and he shed tears and told
me how sorter broke mp and lonesome he
was, and [ jest up and told him he had
come to pretty poor place for com
pany;;" and aunt Mirandy said my step
father had an awful ugly streak in him
too, for all he looked SO mild.
"Ouce," said she, "when went over to
Lisbon to make sister Mira visit, when
Mirandy was a baby, Jed, MIRA and me
went over one Friday night to Presbyter-
oh N
Jed wound up the meetin', with prayer
for all poor creatures living in bondage
to sin; and jest as we was turnisg of
the corner of the lane coming home,
We came across an inoffeLsive COW lying
right across the road; and what did Jed
do but give her good kick for being in
the way. Thet 'ere told The hull story
to me-, said aunt Mirandy, "for man
that would ill-treat dumb critters,
wouldn't be over and above good to his
wife nuther." Aunt Mirandy said fur
Their (for she was terrible fnickipg) that
she couldn't and wouldn't set at the
same table with man that had the ag-
grevatin' way of eating cowcumbers that
Jed had; and "Jabe," said she, "what did
he care for humbly old me?" she was
dretful pain featured), che was after my
money and good snug home; and just
told him l couldn't haye no man a
tronping through my clean kitchen, a
trackin' in mud, AID Iettin' in flies, so l
sent him off with flea in his ear. Jed |
said he thought I was rather harsh on
him, and he didn't mean no BARN, and |
any woman ought TO feel complimented
at seech an offer. / told him 1 warn't |
like the other wimmen of his acquaint- |
auce, and Jed sed be guessed he'd better |
be goin', es it looked like rain. ad |
vised him TO start right away before he