Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-17
SO AS By FIRE,
Florence r. Hullowell,

Florence X. HnllOweIl,
Il declare said Maggie Lane, as she
locked up from the peas she was shelllng,
and saw a girl of about her own age COM
ing down the road There's that Mag
gle Lowe with dress on just like my
Sunday one, mother"
True enough, said Mrs. Lane, leaving
her bread-making to step to the door and
see for herself. lone would think you
two were twins. That's the trouble Of
living in a small town like this. One
can't by yard of colico without every
soul knowing it.
And those Loves watch out for what
we get" said Maggie, land they dress
their Maggie like me purpose to Vex
us.
81 wish to goodness they ID move out OF
the town." said Mrs Lane. 81 wonder,
now, how twas Sarah Lowe and | were
such friends. We used to be miserable If
we didn't see each other every day; ana
now we pass by without speaking if we
ever meet.
Il wish you hadn't named me the same
as her girl, y said Maggie. Were about
even in everything. Mother, she's got
her hands full of pond lillies-do come
and see.
"Takin' EN- home to Angie, most like
iy," said Mr.. Lane. That's one thing in
with we amt even, thank goodness!
there's no cripple in our family.
But they set great store by Angie,
| said Maggie, going on with the Smelling
Of the peas as the other Maggie passed out
of sight. Il heard Mr. Lowe say one day
| that she was the angel of his house.
mo one contends but that her DISPOSE
TONS good enough, said Mrs. Line.
But it's big sorrow to hIve d crippled
child
"Mayn't 90 after pond lilies when |
get through these peas? asked Maggie.
I'D like to put them round In the vases,
| mother"
Yes, you can GO, said Mrs. Lare, ''bnt
don't fall in the water.
No danger Of that, said Maggie,
and I'll bring home more lilies than
Maggie Lane ever thought of getting.
She hurried through her work and then
started out for the pond, which was about
| a mile away.
She found that she could not reach the
lilies from the shore; so she stepped upon
! a small raft which lay tied to a tree. and
with stick, succeeded in breaking of
the fragrant blooms. She was about tC
| pull them within her reach, when sudden.
~ the raft which was frail, half made
affair parted beneath her feet, and she
was precipitated into the water.
And she rose after her plunge, she had
the sense to seize the raft, but she could
not swim, and would undoubtedly have
| drowned had not gentleman driving on
the road few yards away, heard her
| screams and come to her assistance. He
sprang upon the raft, and after some diff
Guilty succeeded in dragging the brighten.
ed girl to the shore.
ooh, how good you arer" cried Mag
gle, when she could stop crying long
enough to speak. Il should have drown
| ed il YOU had not come.
"Certainly," said the gentleman. eli
was very fortunate that | happened to be
passing"
How can ever thank you, STRIP said
Maggie.
''Show your gratitude by doing as
much for some one else in like danger, y
answered the gentleman. Remember
me when the chance comes. Do you
promise?"
'Oh, yes, sir" said Maggie. But
shall never be able to save any ones
life"
Probably not; but you may do some
one a great favor. Don't neglect any OPP
portunity to help your fellGw-creatures
And now, let me drive you home. YOU
will catch cold in those wet clothes"
| Mrs. Lane was very much frightened
when she saw Maggie come into the
kitchen so pale and wet. She put hel
right to bed, and made her drink large
cup of tea She listened to an account O.
the accident, and decided that the gentle
man was very odd.
He was making sport of you, Maggie,
she said.
''Oh, no, said Maggie, 81 am sure h,
meant every word. He spoke so earnest
and looked so sober But of course II
never have chance to pull any one out o
the pond.
I've chance for you to earn some mon
ey, though" said Mrs. Lane, and | know
you'll be glad to do it, for your father
close pushed now and his wages have beer
cut down. Ann Snow was here, and sh
says they want few more pickers at tn
paper mill 1t amt clean work. She say
there's plenty of dust to get down you
throat and up your nose and into your ears
but you can make four or FIVE dollars
great help. Maggie"
Its sorting rags, | s'pose."
Yes, that's it." answered her mother
The next morning found Maggie at til
mill. equipped for dusty laber. She wa
received kindly and showa at once to tn
room in which her duties were to lie.
To her surprise Maggie Lowe was there
already busy over the rags. She, too, ha
heard that hands we're wanted at the mil
and had been even earlier than Maegi
Lane in applying fer work. Of course tn
GIRLS did not speak TO each other but the
exchanged looks of hatred and took car
that their seats were rs far apart as pO
Sible.
The paper mill was composed OF tire
buildings. the main section, in which VIZ
the Office of the superintendent, the mi
chine room, the pulp watts and the bieaci
ing tubs were built of bricks. Attached
i it was a fiat footed wooden building, tw
stories high. In the lower story Were
stored bags of rags, just as they wer
bought, black and white, linen, silk, an
cotton mixed together, In the uppt
story they were stored, and then taken
the main building to undergo the process
| of bleaching About twenty girls WEI
usually employed in the sorting-room, bl
an unusual press of work had necessitate
the employment of FIVE more, and the Is
Maggies had been fortunate enough to 5
cure places.
Two weeks passed by, and the two gir
remained as far apart as ever. The fet
between the two families was n
healed by the enforced association of tv
of its members for eight hours
Gay. Occasionally Angie came to t