Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-25

and was soon sole pOsSeSsor.
He even became the owner OF the
farm and stock. the only active bidder
against him being the representative
of Mr. Brown for the field adjoining
his coal-mine.
Mr.. Brown had not expected to meet
with any opposition. and so had set the
limit his representative was to pay ut
very moderate figure. This Mr.. Ro-
main instantly outbid, and soon Sc
cured the whole.
As soon as the auctiOneer announced
the close of the sale, Mr.. Romain asked
the astonished and disappointed crowd
to please vacate the premises as soon
as possible, as he had bought every
thing for lady who would take pos
session of her property that night
The people filed slowly out and Mr..
Roman was at last left alone with a
LAWYER he had brought. the auctioneer
and the holder of Mr.. Bake's unfOr-
tunate obligation. All the claims
met, and then, after seeing the gentle
men depart, Mr.. Roman fastened to
the little kitchen.
$50 for your mistress, auntie," he
said, land ask her TO please bring the
children and come back at once. There
is a paper she must read"
When Aunt Nancy delivered this
message, few minutes later. TO Mrs.
Blake, she was greatly surprised; but,
with the patience born of great suffer
ing, she at once called the children to
accompany her. and went home, wou-
dering, as she walked along. how sh4
was to endure the agony of seeing heb
home deSpoiled of its treasures.
She had dreaded the sight of wagons
and people moving her goods, and, as
she entered the gate, was astonished
to see no one. Only Rollo. the old
dog, lay basking in the last rays of the
setting sun. and bounded up to meet
them. The children ran joyfully up
the walk. and at the sight of the rooms,
when they entered, cried gleefully.
why. mamma. maybe dere wasn't no
nauction!'
Mrs. Blake gave herself no time to
think, but fastened from one room to
another. seeking the LAWYERS. until she
came to her own room.
How pretty and homelike it still
looked! There was her husbands bic
arm chair, still drawn up to the table,
just as she had left it; the family Bible
still lay on its seat, but on it lay some
thing she had not left there. and as she
picked it up she read her own name on
the big envelope. With fingers trem-
bling SO she could hardly use them, she
tore it open and read:
erclUsed letter written twelve years ago, by
my friend and your husband. think you will
not deny it is my right to give you the en-
cosed deeds etc. securing to you your home
He gave me mine.
Il find Mr.. Brown hurried the sale to secure
the land adjacent to his cCal-mine. 1t is very
valuable and in few years will make you
And now, my dear friend, tomorrow can.
not be to you a Merry Christmas, but with
brave cheerfulneSS hope you will make it TIC
very sincerely your fllend, as was your
husbands friend,
JOHN ROMAN"
"A father to the fatherless hus-
band to the widow" Once again the
words fell from the lips of the Weep
ing woman, who for the second time
that day knelt by the old armchair.
Then, claspng her children in her
arms. she cried:
THANK God with me. my darlings;
! we have home one more!'
And is de nauctiOn clear gone away,
mamma?n Roman asked, anxiously.
''All gone. my treasure; every bit
gone, thank God!'
Then" said little Romain, careful
ly pulling out Susanna Louise from I'M
der his apron, ''set down, Pickle. and
tum on. folkses, an less have Chris
nlus r'-Aana Pie7pOnt SiUiter.