Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-09-14

I waited no longer; hastily packing
afew clothes in bundle that | could
carry in my hand, writing a note to my
lawyer. instructing him to collect the
rents, and remit the proceeds as I
sfloIld afterwards direct, and giving
him permission to rent my house, I
clasped my boy by the hand, and [ re-
member to this moment with what
thrilling fervor he returned that
grasp, and out into the darkness and
storm we went together-my boy and
1. Cared I not where [ went,
aor how fearfully the storm
raged, how vivid the lightning, how
Dwnllen the streams, how dangerous
The bridges, for the danger ahead, no
matter what it might be, even unto
Death. if death would come to both
alike, was sunshine and depthless JOY
10 the Unreasonable horror of the dan
ger which lurked behind.
! was by no means poor. | had on
my person quite sum of money. But
money then was dangerous. 1t might
lure ne into the very jaws I was flee
Ing from To board the midnight train
simply meant that on the morrow the
telegraph and the law would stay my
Journey. Toprocure a conveyance and
ride across the country to a railroad
station where none knew me, Or my
boy. Or my story, would only put pur-
sue1e on my track. I need not relate
that nights experience. I refer to 1t
now with dread and horror. I found
kind friends who aided me and my boy
10 fee
One afternoon we reached the village
OF Sandy Lake, then a quiet little set
Element where [ felt my boy was safe.
L changed my name to Patterson. It
was my grandmother name. | need
not excuse that act. Before my God [
I felt that I was justified in doing any
thing not criminal, that would prevent
being robbed of my boy.
My life here is familiar to you and
She good people of this neighborhood
[ have sought to do good to my fellow
men and fellow-women, and trust that
when I am dead some one will have
cause to say that the world is a little
better for Mrs. Patterson having lived
in it,
Four years passed and [ was begin
ming to make myself believe that my
hiding place would never be discovered
by the father OF my boy. 1t was not to
be so.
One evening, just at dusk, my dar-
ling Louis came running into the
house, all out Of breath, and when he
could speak, he told me of meeting a
stranger who had asked several
questions about his mother, and had
ls,ade him run home and say that Silas
Grounding, an acquaintance of years
ago, would call to see her at once. Ere
the boy had finished his message, the
7
that name. 1t was my husband, the
father of my boy. Nv heart ceased to
throb. At least thought it did. When
the hot blood ought to have coursed
through my veins at lightning speed,
it failed to do it's work, and I stood be-
fore the man transfxed with horror,
but fortunately [ did not lose my con-
seriousness.
cold reception to extend to your hus-
band after the long chase you have
given him."
His voice brought me to myself. In
= moment I gathered strength not the
puny strength of woman, but the
strength of giant. The blow he gave
me wears before on that bed of pain
seemed to be inflicted again, and again
it stung me to the heart. | looked
about me and saw we were alone. | was
so thankful my boy had returned to his
play. Cool and calmly as [ write these
words, 1 gazed at that man. saw he
was wreck, and that kind of wreck
which Is all danger. l looked him
straight In the eye. There was no
hope there. His lips were closed
though ivld with an ashen hue. l saw
She color come and go in his face, as if
his brain was busy with the past.
With the utmost deliberation, and
with boldness that chilled me
Through, replied:
''Sit down. sir"
.r.No, I prefer to stand"
LAS you please" I answered.
Susan Groundwig."
At the mention of that name [ started
as though he had struck me and my
boy another blow. was subdued in
81 second. I became meek and weak
as little child. All my great cour-
aaS hid gone from me. I was help
less and powerless. felt was again
in that mans mercy. A dread OF q ter
rible something about to happen UNI
nerved me, and waited with breath
less anxiety the next step in the drama.
Was Ii to end with tragedy?
susan GrOunOW1S, anu again
started at the sound Of that name,
''You do not answer. Do you not know
your name? You may forget 1t, but
ssilas Groundwig," at Last I found
strength and courage to say, ''you
have no right, sir, to call me by that
name. When a husband strikes his
wife and her unborn babe q blow with
intent to kill both, he has no right to
ever again come into that woman's
presence and pollute tho air she
breathes with word from his lips. To
save my child from your merciless
clutches, fed from my home. To ell
l held dear on earth my boy and bade
eternal farewell. Mothers grave,
fathers memory, the home of my child.
hood, all, everything, I fed from, te
escape your threat to carry off my