Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-08-13
a QUEER CAMPAIGN.

| cried hal BeTbley, as with sCOWllng
face be came to meet merry party which
was advancing toward hill near by
Miss Hepsy has covered the hill with
ashes again, and Z say we ought to dc
something to get even with her
Over every face in the listening group
came "a look of the deepest CONSERVATION
| From the time school was out until after
dark the preceding day, the boys lad
worked like beavers TO get Pine Hill in
shape for cOasti1g, and now 10 have it all
20 for nothing was indeed very trying. a.
"Wel, should say / was a shame, -
said Howard Lanaing a. last. Makes
nae think If the Boston boys and Gen
/ Cages soldiers
"Humph," said jim Hunt, "tbe big
/ difference is that she is her own general
we haven 3 any one 10 appeal to. She
looks every inch a brigadier
In spite of themselves the boys laughed
hearty at this, but Hal Berkeley lnterposed
theoretically 81 say we ought to do
something to bring the old lady to
/ terms.
That's sou returned another, an earn
est, manipulating boy. Suppose we
enter upon regular campaign, and
never raise the siege until the enemy
yields. ~
EDO my ears deceive ne? Would
Irving Westorook fight a woman?' cried
Howard Lansing incredulously
Yes. with the right weapons, return
ed Irving with a smile. Come around
to the house this evening, and we can talk
it over
"What an unforgiving creature Miss
Hepsy must be, though, said another.
Why, it's years and years since the boys
used to tease her so.
Perhaps she thinks boys are AL alike
! She and my mother are the same age toa
day, and mother says she was very
| pre,ty, bright young girl But her father
lost most of his property, they had
/ troubles, and one by one the family died,
until Miss Hepsey was left alone. Miss
Hepsy felt it all, aud she kept drawing
away by herself more and more, and now
! for a long time she hasn't even been to
church. "
"Whew, | can't imagine her as ever a
pretty girl, out she must be awful lone
sonnet said Hal, thoughtfDlly. Come
along, boys. he added; perhaps we can
| fix up tie hill so that we can have some
fun after all. "
And so they did and had a jolly time
until they separated for dinner, after
agreeing TO meet that evening at Irving
Westbrlok's.
Opening her eyes the following morn
ing Miss Hepsy Grey discovered upon
shed and tree-tops heavy covering Of
snow, and having no ''men folks"
around, she at once realized that the day
of rest had not opened very auspiciously
for her.
Dear me, she muttered, chow deep
it isl III have to be stirring round pretty
lively to get the paths dug out before the
people get started for meeting Jump
ing ont of bed and thrusting her
feet into some old felt slippers, she
crossed the room ard looked out at the
window.
"Why did ever" she exclaimed
drawing back and peeTing more cautious,
Iy through the shutter, 'if 1t amt those
bows, and the squire's son a Heading EN-
tool" For Just at that moment Irving
Westbrook sbouldered a shovel, and
starting ahead called Forward, march! n
while the rest followed him from the
yard, left behind them broad, well-shov
eed paths leading from the house to
both the front gate and barn. 'lf 1t don {
beat all" soil9quizsd Miss Hepsy, as she
watched their retreating forms; they
must have had IS get up before light,
and then as her glance fell upon the
nsighboring hill, a vivid flush overspread
her usually sallow features and left two
bright spots burning lin either wrinBled
cheek.
All day long she felt uneasy, pleased
and displeased comfortable and uncom
Portable, by turns; rut thoughts Of bitter
ness aid not seem to rise so easily IN her
heart, nor did she feel 50 lonely as at
other times.
Monday morning dawned bright and
clear, end the boys eagerly counted the
hours until school should close IN the
afternoon, when, skates in hand, they
would start for a neighboring stream.
"Halloal" cried one Of Miss Grey's
neiphbors, as be checked his rse in
front Of the merry party. Have any Of
,ou BOYS seen Miss Hepsy's COW? The
uld LADIES' all FACED out looking for her,
but don suppose she d ask any one 70
help her if she dropped down
1--WE won't have any time to help
search. answered Jim Hunt, because
we're going tothe river for a skate.
But al be spoke he caught a glance
from Irving Westbroos, and q rueful ex
preston came over his face, succeeded
by half quizzieal one as he said shortly
Out with lt captaini give a your or
ders"
"Are you all read asked Irving
smiHugly
Dismay, reluctance, q clearing Of cloudy
brows. then smiles all in a moment, when
READY rang cut from every PAIR q
ips, AID separating into squads the boys
vent ID different direction, "bouad as
bal expressed it, ''tQ.bring in the desert
er before nics
Iyls they ain
met at Miss Hepsy's gate Jim Hunt hav.