The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-06-16
THAT WISE WOMAN.

1HAI WlOE WOMAN.
It was wintry evening about fifty
years ago. The snow had ceased for
little while, but there was evidently
plenty more to come in the dull gray
cl~:lds that hung low over the moor.
A little cottage stood all by itself, the
snow thick on it's low thatch; behind
it stretched the lonely moor, with a
few old oak trees on one side Of It,
the outpost of the forest, which showed
a dark purple line against the horizon.
Outside, all looked dreary and desolatc;
but inside the cottage it was coZy
enough; the fire was burning with a
clear red glow; a great tabby cat was
lying in front Of the warm, red bricks,
purring droWsily; and an old woman
was sitting in big wooden armchair,
her hands folded in her lap, her head
, poked q little forward, her dark in
teligent eyes looking into the fire. On
the shelves of the little corner cupboard
behind her stood long rows of bottles
and jars containing ointments, nettle
tea, elderberry wine, cordialS and medi-
cines, for she doctored the whole par
ish, which was an outlying one, with
10 doctor living within several miles;
but all the country people said they
didn't want no doctor; the Wise Oman
was worth ten O. they" She nursed
them when they were ill., too, and ad-
vised them in all their affairs; and they
always said, Ito tell the Wise Oman
a secret We're like droppen a stone into
well-you was sure you'd never hear
O. it again. ~ She was very old Wom-
an, though exceedingly hale and active.
No one knew exactly what her age was
Her mother was a gypsy, and from
her she had learned a slight knowledge
of surgery and the medicinal qualities
Of herbs. She would wander for miles
in search Of these ALI the flowers, too,
in her little garden had their uses
Now however, there was nothing in it
save a few cabbages sticking out of the
snow.
AS the room grew dark the Wise
Woman rose and lighted a candle, put
ting it in the window, where it was al
ways placed as a beacon to guide peo-
pie across the moor She had scarcely
lighted her candle when there was a
loud tap at the door. Come in," she
called, and the door opened letting in
keen rush Of icy air and a shower of
snow flakes, and man entered.
1T be snowen fast agen.' he said,
gcing to the fire and shaking the snow
off himself. You'll be pretty nigh
showed up
''Ah, I dessey, there'H be some un
to dig me out, if be-" said Mrs. Warne
comfortably.
I'm warn't there Will,' replied the
man. I'VE couldn't get on without you
no sense; and I be come now to ask
you what be to do about my hedge.
You knows my beautiful hedge? Wull,
now, he be getten old; the 'ood in un be
nice for burner; and some I'm comes
every night pretty handy and pulls it
out; and I can't find out who it's; and
If you can't tell me, I'll set up all night,
but I'll find out!!''
NO need fur that. Bill" said Mrs.
'Warne, after having thought for q mo-
ment. You just listen now You get
out there tomorrow and make pre-
tence as you be amending the hedge;
and you take 4 gimlet and bore little
holes in the 'ood anf fill 'em wi gun
POWDER and I'll warn't you wun't be
troubled no more!''
"Eh. mother, but you be a noted
oman fur cleverness, that you be- said
Bill ,admiringly, bringing his large
hand down with a smack on his knee
III be off at once down to shop and
get some powder" He took leather
bag from his pocket and brought a
shilling out of it, which he laid on the
table. Il be terrible obliged to yc' he
said.
''You'm vurry welcome" replied Mrs.
Warne as he went away.
She stood watching the snow fall
softly against the window till her eye
was caught by light in the distance
that rapidly grew larger. and disclosed
itself to be lantern. The bearer of
it came hurrying along and opened the
door without stopping to knock. "Oh,
Mother Warne" he began, John Long
hev fell off a ladder and hurt hisself
terble!'
Dear, dear! Any bones broke?"
Il don't rightly know; but he groans
dreadfulr'
Mrs. Warne hustled about collecting
roll OF DandageS, a pot Of ointment,
and a small bottle; then she put a long
Knitted purse in her pocket, bundled
herself in a big shawl and bonnet, and
said:
"Now be ready to start
ut don't sim hardly right to ask We
to come out such a night" the man
said; ''but then we don't know what to
do fur him, and Mis- Long be in a ter
BILE tWitter!"
"Bless me! Harry, anybody 'ud think
you was talking to an old oman!' said
Mrs Warne briskly.
The man laughed. "Well, it's true,'
he said. Many a young oman med
be glad to be as peart as you be!''
How did he do it?' asked Mrs.
Warne.
He was cutten hay fur the horses,
and the ladder were slippery, and he
fell right from top O. it,
They were well out into the moor by
this time, and further conversation
was impossible, for the fine snow blew
straight into their faces and took their
breath away. Around, above, nothing
was to be seen but the dancing snow
flakes, but presently the lights of the
cottage began to show through them.
"Wull, [ bain't sorry to hev got
w, ch0 nd