Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-11-15
CHAPTER Nj,


which carries the pilgrim down int"
acrrleratiou of pace, and which ends
where the four roads meet, The sun
Inn stands At one corner, facing the
incoming pilgrim cherrtully on its left;
and opposite this tidy hostrly stands
Sigu.poSt apparently waving -four
gaunt arms diStractcdly. and seeming
to hid the waytarrr pause beneath
the matched roof OF the little inn,
whether his journeys end lie onward
over the high-mad, or ohlige him to
turn aside through the village ihy
church and rrctory.
ON the travellers right. facing Kim,
is cottage, and facing that is the
whcclwright's yard. full OF timber and
wagons half built or broken. The
wheclwright'S dwelling, standing
above the grassy yard, commands Il
fine view of the village nestled under
the down and the sweeping parklands
of Northovrr ON one side, and on the
other looks over an undulating land
srape to the sea. 1t is CHEEKY little
house, pleasantly shaded by couple
of shapely lindcnS in front. and close
to the high road, upon which its front
windows and deep-timhcrrd porch
give.
On New Years eve the whcplwrights
windows were all lighted up. and there
was even lantern at the little front
wicket, which gaZcd out like a friend
ly eye, as If to bid people enter and
make merry within. and threw vel
low tan shaped radiance on the steep
road without The porch door was
open. and disclosed passage lighted
by candle In n tin sconce adorned
with holly. On one side, an open door
revealed the chill dignitics of the best
parlor, which not even n blazing fire
and abundance of holly berries could
quite warm.
ON haired sofa in this state
apartment sat Mrs. nalc. of Nal.
bourne Mill, and Mrs. Wax, the school
masters wife. Doth exceedingly up
right, and both holding handkerchief
of Gargantuan dimensions over the
hands they crossed in their laps. OPP
posite, in rse-hair armchair. sat
an elderly lady in n plum-Colorcd silk
gown, gold chain. and Il splendid cap,
also very upright, and also holdin- n
Gargantuan handkerchief. This was
Mrs. Cave. the wife of n small farmer
in the neighborhood.
Bach lady's face wore q resigned
expression, mingled with the calm cX
ultation natural to people who know
themselves to be the most aristoCratic
persons in Il social gathering. Each
realized that Wurde hat Rurde, and
felt herself equal to the occasion:
each paused, before making or reply.
ing to an observation, to consider the
most gentccl subjects of conversation
and the most gentecl language In
which to clotho them.
Remarkably fine weather for the
time of year. ladies'" observed Mrs.
Hale, soothing her soul by the pleas
ant rustic her shot-Silk gown made
when she Smoothed 1t, and rcgretting
that her gold chair was not so new
fashioned as Mrs Caves; while, on
the other hand, she experienced de
liciouS comfort in meditating on the
superiority of her brooch. which was n
large fiat pebble in gold frame.
Indeed, mem. II is most ScasOnnble
though trying for delicate chestes," re-
turned Mrs. Cave, with her finest com
pany smile, after which a pause OF
three minutes enSued.
Some say the frost Il on the breck, :"
continued Mrs. Hale, wondering If II
would be gcnteel to ask Mrs Cave
how much her cap cost. She had nm
agonized suspicion that 1t would not
After five minutes. Mrs Wax whose
compa rativc youth and lower rank oc
casioned her some difiidence, took ny
her parable in the following gentccl
manner: "Her ladyship was observing
this marning--"
But what her ladyship was observ
ing was never revealed to man, since
at that moment, Widow Hale, the
hostess mother came bursting In. stout
healthy, and red faced, her cap slightly
awry, and called out In her hearty,
wholesome voice
"Well, now. my dears. and how are
you getting on? I'm that harlAd up
with SO many about | amt had a
mnut to asst after ye al. Mary Ann,
my dear, give me a kiss do, and a
hearty welcome to you all, and Kiss
all round, and do make yourselves at
home. Now, is the tea to your likingf
This best tea-pot amt much at draw
ing. | amt much of one for best
things myself, well enough for look.
ing at, and just to say you've got
them but give me workaday things
for comfort There amt above half
the company come yet, and Mary Ann
upset about the pies for supper. Do
just as you would at home, and you
will please me- II there amt dear old
Granfer coming In, bless his heart!
Come in, Granfer, and kindly vel
come"
And 50 saying, the kind soul hustled
out. and relieved Granfer Of his hat.
while her daughterin-laws the actual
hostess. came TO do the honors of the