Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-08-11
A QUEER CAMPAIGN.
-Harper's Bazaar.

y declare, boys, it's burning shamer
cried Hal Berkley, as with a Sowing
| face he came 10 meet merry party which
was advancing toward a hill near by.
Miss Hepsy has covered the hill with
ashes again, and say we ought to dc
something to get even with her.
Over every face IN the listening group
came look of the deepest CONSERVATION
From the time school was out until after
dark the preceding day, the boys had
worked like beavers to get Pine Hill in
shape for coastlng, and now to have it all
go tor nothing was indeed very trying.
well, should say it was a shame, "
said Howard Lansing at last. Makes
me think Of the Boston boys and Gen.
Gage soldiers
"Hucpb," laid Jim Hunt, "the big
difference is that she is her own general /;
we haven t any one 70 appeal to. See
looks very inch brIgadier.
liz ,ptte of themselves the boys laughed
hearty at this, but Hal Berkley lnterposed
energetically. Il say We ought to do
something to bring the old lady to
terms.
THAI SOL returned another, an earn
81, manly looking boy. Suppose we
enter upon a regular campaign, and
never raise the siege until the enemy
yields.
DO my ears deceive ne? Would
Irving Westorook fight ~Uman? cried
Howard Lansing increduiouS ),
Yes. with the right weapons" retucD-
ed Irving with a smile. "Cyme around
10 tie house this evening, and we can talk
il over"
& NbaJ an unforgiving creature Miss
Hepsy must be, though" said another
Way, it's years ard years since the boys
US, d to tease her SO.
FLAPS she thinks bows are all alike.
She and my mother are the same age to q
day aud mother says she was very
pe ~, bright young girl. But her father
lost most OF bis property, they had
troubles, nd one by one the family died,
until M iss Hepsey was left alone. Miss
HApsy felt 1t all, and she kept drawing
away by herself more and more, and now
for a long time she hasn't even been to
cE urch."
"Woew, can't imagine her as ever
pretty girl, but she must be awful lone
sonle!' said HLI, thoughtfullv. Come
along, boys." he added; "perhaps we can
LA up tLiO Ii II OF tticlO We Scth ActNC oOulS
fun after all"
And so they did, and had jolly time
unt.l they separated for dinner, after
agreeing to meet that evening at Irving
WestbrOok's.
Opening htr 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 is! III have to be stirring round pretty
lively to get the paths dug out before the
people get started for meeting" Jump
ing out If 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 peering more cautious,
ly through the shutter, ''if it amt those
boys and the squire's son a.leadirg 'em
tool For just at that moment Irving
Westbrook shouldered shovel, and
starting ahead called Forward, march,
while the cest followed him from the
yard, left behind them broad, well-shov
eIed paths leading from the house to
both the front gate and barn. "If it don t
beat all!' soIjloqujz I'd Miss Hepsy, as she
watched their retreating forms; ''thev
must have had to get up before light"
and then as her glance fell upon the
n9ighboring hill, vivid flush overspread
her usually sallow features and left two
bright spots burning in either wrinkled
cheek.
All day long she felt uneasy, pleased ;
and dispIeased, comfortable and upcom
Portable, by turns; hut thoughts of bitter
ness aid not seem to rise so easily In her
heart, nor did she feel SO lonely as at
other times.
Monday morning dawned bright and
clear, end the boys eagerly counted the
hours until school should close in the
when, skates in hand, they
would start for neighboring stream.
"Halloa!' cried one of Miss Grey's
as he checked his horse in
front Of the merry party. 'Have aHy of
you boys seen Miss Hepsy's COW? The
old lady's all FACED out looking for her,
but don't suppose she'd ask any one TO
help her if she dropped down.
eve won't have any time to help
search, answered Jim Hunt, because
we're going to the river for skate
But as he spoke he caught glance
from Irving Westbrook, and rueful ex
preston came over his face, succeeded
by a half q1izzical one as he said shortly,
" Out with it, captain; give US your Or
ders!"
care you all ready?" asked Irving
smiIingly.
Dismay, reluctance, clearing of cloudy
brows. then smiles all in moment, when
ready rang out from every pair of
lips, and separating into squads the boys
went in different direction, "bound,; as
Hal expressed it, ''to bring in the desert
er before night"
1t was about dusk when they again
met at Miss Hepsy's gate, Jim Hunt hav-
ing heen the fortunate discoverer Of the
truant As he led her into the yard, she
lifted up her voice SO Justify that she
brought Miss Hepsy hurrying to the door,
when jim, removing his hat respectfully. |
said. She had strayed about three miles
out of town, and we found her in Farmer
Dill =