Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
BOUND FOR wALLY-wALLY

He sat In fcOnt of me on a western
bound passenger uain-a big, brawny
! sun-burned young fellow, wearing blue
overalls stuffed into the top of a pair of
No. ii cowhide boots, hickory shirt and
paper collar, but no necBtie, butternut
coat but no vest. and a huge, faded drab
SLOUGH hat with d red ribbon band on it.
think he had come directly from the pIow
to the train.
Suddenly he turned around toward me
and asked:
| Ever been to A.egon?"
''To Oregon? No, never"
"You know anything about Wally-Wal-
ly out tharf''
mo, not much; but know several per-
sons who have gone there. ="
DO? How'd they like it?"
Very well, think"
They get good wages?"
They're in business for themselves.
They be. Well, I'm bound for Wally-
Waliy, and I'm kind o nt'rested in the
country on that account. >
Naturally 50. Have you ever been
there?'
''Well, one O. the boys from back where
| live III Missouri went out thar six
months back and he's dom mighty well.
He gets dollar an six bits day and his
board workin' In a saw-mill and stiddy
work the year round. | thought maybe
he could get me a job.
does he know you are coming?"
Mop"
What will you do if he can not get
work for you?"
Wal, [ reckon I'll jist have to rustic
They say it's good country to rustic in.
| know Teller in Seattle that gifts So a
day and his board workin on the railroad
If don't strike anything in Wally- WalIy
III light out for Seattle They say its
boomin' Ever been in Seattle?"
No; have you?
Me? Lawd, mister, | was never out o
old Pettis county, Missoury, in my life
until struck out on this little ja'nt an
it S going to be make or bust with ME this
time. If other Pettis county fellers can
NIKE dollar an six bits d day | reckon !
kin"
Then he opened limp carpet bag, fish
ed around in its deepest depths for a little
while and brought forth a chunk of grlmy
cheese and a bag of soda crackers.
"Hav' some cheese, he said, holding it
out towards me.
mo, thank you"
They re homemade"
II seldom eat cheese.
oval, don't 90 much on these bong h
ten cheese myself, but these are home
made, an like EN- Hav' a cracker?"
No, thank you; Fla not hungry"
at makes me pow full hungry to ride on
the cars. eat like a hawg."
Having eaten for ten or fifteen minutes
very muck like the animal named, he
again explored the depths of the satcheI
and brought forth a cabinet photograph
wrapped in a soiied bit of MANILA paper.
Removing the wrapper he pushed the
photograph toward me, saying:
That me an my girl. Amt she d
dandy?"
He was dressed in the photograph exact
ly as saw him dressed at that moment,
and he was seated on a plush chair, his
knees far apart and his huge hands rest
ing on either knee. By his side there
stood grinning, robust young woman in
spotted dress and white apron. One
hand resting ON his shoulder, and
in the other she held a white handker-
chief
Il tell ye she's the belle of Pettis coun-
ty," he said proudly. 'She kin break a
colt to harness or a steer to the yoke in tew
days easy as man kin do it, an she kin
make full hand in the harvest field any
day, that's what she can do. Purity, too,
ain she? If | find Wally Wally all its
cracked up to be, me au' er'll settle
thar. Hev an apple; brung 'em from
home
left the train here, but he went on his
way full of hope and courage and en-
thusiasm, to ''rustIe" for home for him
self and the ''belle of Pettis county in
'Waly- Wally."
Success attend him, for think he has
an honest heart Cincinnati Post.