Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-26
Up reluggon Bill
By Lillian CUTLER Couch.


Gee, whoa! Come here, Lion. Come
up, Pleasantr' And the youth at the
mill gathers the reins tightly in his
hands, clicks with his tongue at the
roof of his mouth, and the heavy red
and yellow wagon rumbles out Of the
mill-yard, away from the sight of the
mill windows, out Of the sound of the
mill wheels, down TreSlaWn hill towards
the town.
The youth at the mill has a round
sun-burnt face, capped by unmanageable
and ruddy curls, and besprinkled by un-
countable and tawny frecl1les; but the
openness of his smile engulfs, and the
dust of his trade dims the curls.
Down the hill the wagon jolts be
tween the thick and dusty hedges
where the last sprays of honeysuckle
smell honey-sweet through the grit,
and the spikes of golden rod, and the
stray straWs hanging on the brambles,
tell that Summer is dead, and harvest
has passed by that way. The notes
of a lugubriOus 'Methody'' hymn
cheerfully whistled by the youth, are
jerked out Of him as the wagon rum
bles on. Down the hill it goes, then
over the bridge at the foot, where the
town children wander out to throw
stones and fish with Dean-sticks, and
unwittingly lave off their CRIME And
then the glossy brutes slacken pace,
and setting their shoulders to the work
before them, proceed to curve their
way up the mile of Treluggap hill to
the town.
Just ahead of the wagon tolls a small
figure in black gown and broad
straw hat; her gait balanced as she
goes by a big blue bundle on the left
arm and a big green umbrella in the
right hand.
The youth from the mill, finding his
cheerful notes no longer jerked from
him, misses the assistance, and ceases
his tune; then, being familiar with the
nature of Ireluggan hiN, and humane
youth to boot, he resigns himself to
the wagon rail and the inevitable, and
lets his eyes rest abSently on the only
figure in sight-the figure of the girl
toiling UP the hill before him. After a
few moments an idea seems to creep
into his brain.
Hi. little maid" he calls, would
zee like a lift up the hill?'
The figure turns, and the youth from
the mill sees that she is not quite the
child he guessed her to be, in spite Of
her short gown; but be also sees that
she is hot and dusty, and not at all
discomDosed by the familiarity Of his
address; and he repeats in more de-
ferential manner, and without the ''lit-
tie maid''-
Would zee like a lift up the hill?'
''Youm very good" replies the girl,
YEARLY, coming towards him and hold
ing up her bundle; will zee hold this
while I get up
The youth takes the bundle, and
setting it down in the wagon, holds
out his hand to help her; but she does
not see it, and scrambles up unaided,
and stands beside him, leaning against
the rail Then he sees that her skin
is very fair, all pink and white as
apple blossom, that her hair is black
and curly, and that her features are
well-fayOred; but he also sees that her
grey eyes are surrounded by REDEEMED
lids, and he guesses that she has been
crying.
You'd best get over the rail- he
says, when he has noted her appear
ance; Its steadier footin', and you can
sit on that there sack if you like"
I'll stand, thank yon,' she returns:
as she obeys the first part of his re-
marks and Chambers over; Il mus
-four my frock."
There's my coat in the corner; you
can put that over the sack, 'tisn't floury
on the inside"
She takes his advice in silence, and
spreading his coat, seats herself, and
for some moments the silence is only
broken by the slow rumble OF the
wheels and the thudding hOofs Of Lion
and Pleasant
At last the youth breaks it with a
click of his tongue, and then his own
sound seems to embolden Lin.
"'You'm goin' in to Penslyder Market,
[ s'pose?" he ventures.
I'm goin' to Penslyder, but [ amt
goin' to market; I s'pose shan't never +
20 into market no more. I'm Oh my
way to service"
Service" he exclaims cheerfuly,
looking at her furtively the while; IAN
1 make no doubt you'm pleased at the
thought of Twin in town.
NO she answers, YEARLY; L never