River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-06-04


The look on Nancy's face seemed TO
indicate that this bit of news was OF
more than ordinary interest TO her.
However, she made no further refer
ence 10 IL
II s'pose you'll come for them pigs
before feedin' time she called anx-
iously after sam, as he quilted the
yard
Seems To be sort q breakin' away"
she remarked. awkwardly. as she went
back into the kitchen. There amt
been nobody at the post Office this
week, an / wouldn't be surprised if
Cousin Sallie's folks | feel sort o.
called to 60 down an See"
Mary Jane glanced keenly at her
mother, but. discreet young woman
that she was, made no comment.
No. there We're no letters from Sallie
Smiths folks the postmaster informed
her. There hain't been a letter from
Ohio this long time, only one that ole
Miss Lankers got yesterday. 1t must
a been from Tom"
Mrs. kalometer did not go directly
home from the post office, but paused
az an Old-fashiOned frame house on the
outskirts of the struggling town. Tom
Liseo, himself. opened the door for her,
and, after a hearty greeting, showed
her into the sitting-roOm.
Il heerd you was tallxin' o. rentin' a
place" she began, coming directly to
the point, AN | dropped in to tell you
that / think some o. rentin' mine"
Good gracious, Mrs. Kalometer, you
don't say.''
"Yes, I'm sick of farmin'"
You're goin' to- try restin' awhile?"
IL cackilate goin' into business,
in the boardin'- house line, down to Bos-
ton, Z" bringing these last words out in
an explosive fashion. as though startled
at her own boldness. Lisco gave low
whistle
Well, Mrs. Kalometer, if we can
agree ON the figures, 1 guess your
place a suit me well enough" he re-
marked, mentally averring that, with
the close-fisted old woman. this would
not be an easy matter On the con-
trary. however, Mrs. Kalometer seemed
disposed to be liberal, and the upshOt
Of the matter was that, when she left
the house half hour later, the terms
had been agreed upon.
When il became known in Pikeville
neigsborhood that Nancy Kalometer
was going to Boston, great, indeed, was
the excitement. This the good woman
seemed to enjoy, and, with an air of
conscious superiority. she answered or
ignored. as pleased her best, the ques-
tions of her curious neighbors.
The first of April found herself and
Mary Jane established in a dingy
clearinghouse ON Dyke street. To
tell the truth, matters had not vet as
sumed the roseate hue of which Mrs.
KaIometer had dreamed. In the first
place, the uninviting aspect of the
house. together with the exorbitant
rent, had well-nigh appalled, her; and,
but for the dread of being laughed at,
she would have given up the plan alto
gether.
As the warm weather advanced, pat
ronage had grown lighter. and the
small fund they had brought with them
to the city was fast disappearing On
this particular morning, as she stood
vainly trying to polish the battered
woodwork. Nancy kalometer acknowl-
edged to herself that she was a thor
oughly disappointed woman.
The bell tangled noisily. and a min
ute later, Mary Jane ushered into the
room a young man whom Mrs. Kalo-
meter recognized as the manager of the
real estate office on the corner. Could
she accommodate him with meals dur
ing the heated term. he inquired, POI
litely. He would wish special service.
and was willing to pay special prices.