Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-27

with his chair tipped against the
wall tho landlord enlivened the scene
with ill-natured wit. In years past he
had been a good mechanic, but pas
sion for drink and gambling gave his
mind a bent toward wandering, so his
wife and step-daughter must needs 90
with him to make his fortune in the far
West. According to his idea, a board
ing-hOuSe was the sureSt way. and
easy-for him. He was a selfish, des-
pOuc creature. using his wife's hard
earning to play poker and speculate
in land" as he termed bulldozing hon
ester men out of their ranches and
claims.
Going to the dance, boys?" he ask
ed, condeScendingly as he entered the
dining-room.
That we be. Better come yourself,
landlord, Wen take the ladies on the
hand-car.
BEST place for them's at home, .
with malicious glance at Jen.
I'm feeling too old for dancing to-
night" said his wife, with tired sigh.
"Humph! Do you good to be walked
up q bit. Wen go. Jen can stay and
clear up"
VERY well, John, but we can get all
done so Jennie can CO. meekly.
Too much galivanting already
grOWled the landlord. Here it is to be
feared Miss Jen made a face, for the
men at the table were heard to mutter
something emphatic. With EN-, get
ready at once" the landlord departed
to more congenial spirits
Yes, mother, tx up, and I'll clear
up in time to do your hair said Jen.
In ten minutes her mother came into
the room dressed in Il plain dark
wooden suit, which Jen enliyened by a
touch of ribbon at the throat
There, ma, you look quite young and
pretty" said the girl as she handed
her hat and cloak.
"Good-by, dear; 1 wish you were go
ing instead" and with a kiss she stepp-
ed from the door.
Jen watched the hand-car crowded
with the few families of the little ham
let and the railroad men, till it disap-
peared up the track, then hurIiedly
cleared and washed the dishes, rest the
table. and ground coffee for next morn
mgS breakfast.
Il do hope Jim won't come down
when mother tells him | couldn't
come" thought Jen, chow can l help
it if he does care too much? The land
lord is only trying to get his timber
claim, but L won't help, with a toss
of her head. 81 know he's good natur-
ed, but Jim's like the other boys,
gambling and drinking, and caring for
nothing but a dance now and them
Then the color rose in the girls face
as she finished sweeping, at the thought
of one who wasn't like the other
boys He's been all over the coast -
mulmured Jen, proudly, land I'll show
them he does love me-"
Suddenly the sound of a shrill boat
whistle came from the river. Jen
dropped the duSt-pan and ran hastily
to her little room, and grasped a small
satchel secretly packed with a few
treasures. Hastily she donned hat and
jacket and hurried through the rooms
with parting, half-affecionate glance
at the bare board walls of what had
been her home. With Quick-beating
heart, she crossed the track and hurried
down to the landing, while through
the river fog a light cleaned nearer
and nearer. 1t reached tn wharf. A
sound of bells, a gang-plank thrown
out. and up it sprang a tall, dark-eyed
man in captains uniform.
Jennie" he cried, eagerly.
'Oh, Fred, hurry" with a half-sob;
''the car is coming down the track ="
Taking her hand, he led her quickly
aboard, the gang-plank was drawn in,
more bells, and the steamer was off,
just as jim Stewart, with a stern,
white face, reached the landing. The
headlight of the Oseola shone full upon
him as she turned, and Capt Fred,
standing with Jennie beside him at
the pilot house window, shouted: Tell
the landlord when the OSeOla makes
the landing tomorrow the captains
wife will be pleased to see her friends
aboard"