Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-15
WILL AND MAUDE.

VIII was handsome young man and
his people were wealthy aristocrats, "
some called them-and we could hardly
blame Maude for falling in love with him
He had loved her since they were children
together. His grandfather lived Just
across the road from Maude's home, so he
saw her quite often, for he was always 60
ing to see his ''dear grandpa"
We used to tease him a great deal about
his love for his grandparents, and would
always ask him how they were getting
along, He never failed to give us a
good answer, for he was as sharp as tacks.
Will was sharp. His father was one of
our ablest lawyers and could think of
more sharp things to say than anyone |
know of, and we all spoke of Will as "a
chip of the old block
Maude was lovely girl and always so
happy. She had pretty blue eyes and
dark hair, which made her more interest
ing than ever. She had sister Nell, and
they used to be inseparable. 1t made no
difference where one was, the other was
sure to be there toe, but Nell fell in love
with nice farmer and was now out on
his farm as his wife.
Maude seemed so lonesome when Nell
left, and it was no wonder she got more
attached to Will, for he made it a point
to be a great sympathizer at this time;
not day went by that he did not call to
take her for a drive or walk:
Her parents were not wealthy, but
were comfortably well off, and we thought
it would be such a good match for Will
and Maude to marry, for it would bring
two nice families into closer friendship.
About the time we thought the happy
day was set. a young man named Len
Allen who had been out west for some
time, returned home. He had not had
an extra good name before he left, but he
came back so fashionably dressed
and cut such dash that the boys took
right up with him. | could not help feel
ing sorry when saw Will going around
with him so much. Somet oY could not
feel that Allen was as good as he might
be, and was afraid he would lead Will
astray, for he was young and full of life
and thought easy TO fall In with the
ways of any one he was in company with.
1t was but a short time until we noticed
Will did not go to see Maude as often as
he used to, but that he seemed infatuated
with Allen and was with him all the
time.
| noticed Maude began to look troubled;
when Will would come too see her she
would seem brighter for while, so |
suppose he had good excuses for not going
to see her oftener--that work or business
matter kept him away-and, of course,
she believed him.
A few weeks more | noticed that he did
not call to see her any more, and that she
was looking so pale and sad, and one day
just could not stand it any longer, so
asked her to tea and thought could find
out the trouble and DO the best | could for
her
She said she would come and seemed
pleased to do so, as it was a change and 1t
took her thoughts off little from my
Will" as she used to call him.
After tea was over We were sitting by
the door when who should pass but Will
and Allen.
Hello Maud, fine evening"" cried Will
in rather thick voice, and | saw she but
barely nodded to him, and stepped back
into the room and burst out crying.
Invent to her, putting my arms around
her, and asking her to tell me her trouble
saying that [ would be true friend and
perhaps l could help her.
"Oh, dear" sobbed she, sit just does
not seem possible that he can be my
Will of whom I was so proud and to
think how happy we were until that Allen
came.
But what is the matter with Will and
what has Allen done?' | asked.
Ou know how intimate Will has been
with Allen lately. He stopped coming to
see me, and oh, how | worried about him
but never suspected anything wrong until
one day my father said he had heard that
Allen was gambler and a drinker and
that he was taking VIII with him as fast
as he could and said that he wanted the
engagement broken between us for he
coBld not allow his daughter to keep COM
pany with any such person.
Il asked him if could not try and get
Will to stop-that perhaps he would for
my sake. could not believe that 1T was
so and wanted to ask Will. Father saw
that it made me feel so bad so he said If
he saw Will he would tell him to call and
that | was to lell him if he did not reform
right away that he would have to stop
coming to his house and our engagement
cease.
You know when father makes up his
mind to anything it is hard to make him
change it, and if be got right angry at
anyone he would as soon kill him as not.
| was afraid of father and thought strange
that he would even give Will trial, but
/ guess he was sorry for me and Will $
folks.
when Will came that evening asked
if it was so. He few up in a minute and
talked so terribly about father, me and
every one, aud said he could attend to his
own business and wanted me to attend to
my own. | tried to hush him up and
plead with him but it did no good, and
i told him our engagement would have to
be broken. He did not seem to care and
| actually think he was glad knew the
drinking story was SO, for ] could smell
wbiskay OH his breath, and oh, it seemed
my heart would break, for had been so
proud of him. He is drinking this
evening, for | can tell by the way he look
ed and acted
Poor girl, | did not know what to do
for her. | wanted to advise her, but did
not know how, but | told her she must not
worry 50. that she was looking sick and
it would make her parents feel so
bad, and | told her to try to be her old
self again-that | thought few weeks
in the country with her sister would do
her good.
She went out to Ne,l's the next day and
l was so glad, for VIII was getting deeper
in trouble His mother was nearly crazed
at the change. His father would talk to
him, but all for no good. He would
promise to be better. then when ne would
get with Allen he seemed to forget all
promises.
Allen and Will attended a spelling
school a few miles from town one night
and | guess they were both intoxicated,
for the next day they were arrested for
disturbing the peace.
How bad we all felt, and just made
up my mind | would go and talk tG Will
and rorLa.,a iG I 4ald lin, houx Monde