Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-01
NO 8,oo3.


Friend Mary Minton stood at the
kitchen table kneading the bread, a
snowy cap surrounding her sweet old
face like a sort of working day halo, a
white apron tied around her ample
waist, At sixty her color was as
fresh as that of girl, her eyes blue Us
the blue heavens above.
Ezra, her adopted son-Friend Minton
and his wife had been childless-had
just brought a basket Of russell apples
the very last in the corner bin of the
barn cellar. He leaned against the
Kitchen window, playing nervously with
the big yelvety leaves of the monster
fish gerlnium that blosSomed there He
was a tall manly looking young fellow,
with clear brown eyes, a fresh complex
ion and hair that grew in a curly mat
all over his head. Friend Mary's glance
softcned as she looked at him 1t was
evident that he was the very apple of
her eye
why not, motherY' said he. II
know the village gossips don't like
the Calverly family; but you're not
4 one Oh llle SoSSiplnS Alilu.
shes very young. Ezra, meditauve-
+ iy answered Friend Mary, "and very
pretty
oh If you call these crimes
"Wdit a minute Ezra thee has not
heard me out. regret deeply that in
stead Of going to live with Friend
WarbWton, the minister's wife, she has
preferred to enter the factory, where
there are so many giddy girls and care
less young men,"
but the pay was so much better,
mother"
Man doth not live by bread
alone oracularly answered Friend
Mary. "Thee has been carefully
brought up, Ezra. Thee must consd-
cr what is right and seemly in the way
of matrimony. Thy father and /
would break our hearts if thee went
wrong after all our hopes and prayers. -
II trust / shall never do that, moth
en-"
but thee must remember Ezra, how
4 powerful an influence the wife eXerts
over the husband"
Mother you are very much set
against Eyeline Calycrlyf'
Friend Mary hesituted for a moment.
Il think it would break my heart,
Ezra, she answered, IF thee We're TO
we'd with a daughter Of Heth, like Eve
line"
"Then that settles the question. 90
said Ezra quickly You have doua
everything for me, mother | WIS
houscless. homeless friendlcss when
Won tool. me and should be an ingra Jc
indeed 10 turn against your WISHES
now. But mother, let me 80 away for
awhile. Let me 20 to Uncle Aaron,
out in Montana, ntil-untl / get over
this"
Friend Mary lifted her tender blue
eyes with a plying light to his face.
us it SO hard with thee rs that my
sonr' said she oh / ann sorry 1T
could almost md il in my heart
Although he interrupted. with %
forced laugh, I'm not by any means
SO certain chat Evelin would have me,
even if I asked hel Gerard Winthrop
is going there a goot 3cal of late.
Yes, quietly spoke Friend Mary,
who had by this time had patted her
white, firm loavcs into shape Ia their
shining oblong pans all ready for tue
oven, "ard that is one thing do not
like. He is interested. they tell nae, u
a great lottery scheme; he is the agent
for q company down south The
factory people have bought tickets
Eveliue among the rest"
Mother. / can hardly believe that"
"The superintendent himself told me,
Ezra" said Friend Mary, closing the
oven door with a gentle click. He Te-
pctted exceedingly that Winthrop had
gained such a footing there Yes my
son, pcrha' thee had better 20 to
Brother ron for a few months. Thee
needs change"
So Ezra Minton decided 10 take the
step that seemed like wrpnching soul
and body apart Friend Mary counted
out his socks, saw to the buttons on his
shirts refined the little leather trunk
with pretty paper and shed a few tears
into the neat box of handerchiefs as
she packed them away.
IF Montana were not a distance
off, she sighed to herself "Or if fe
could 90 any other way except by those
dreadful flying trains. Thank good
ness, / never was on one. and, please
/ heaven, ! never VIII be, To me it
seems little short of a tempting II
/ Providence"
\ She sat sorrowfully ia the chimney
corner on the evening Of Ezra's deparr-
ure pairing the russell apples TO maze
a dish Of apple sauce How loud the
kitchen clocl, licked, How lonely tn
great silent room seemed,
II think ] did right she said 70 her
sc., "and yet
Hush, There was a knock at tile
door. The minister's wife perhaps, On
Janet Golbe the carpet weaver vino
lived under the mountain. come to be9.
row the dye kettle.
Come III. friend whoever thee may
he, said Friend Marry.
And EVeliue Calyerlv entered tine