Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-06-27
DAMS COURTSHIP.

Tho apple crop had failed the fall before,
and therefore money was short at Orchard
Farm. This was the moro uncomfortable
because Of the recent purchase Of old Silas
Morrowbrook' west pasture, which nd
Joined Abners wood lot, and which he
had long coveted Most Of the price he had
been able to pay cash down. The rest re-
manned on mortgage until tho apples
should DO sold. The sudden and severe
frost interfered with this arrangement,
ruined the fruit and left n social anomaly
In Windley annals, Keene In debt or
course, as Silas said, they were good"
for the money many times over. Orchard
Farm was ono OF the pretticst bits OF prop
erty In the country. But the obligation
weighed on their sensitive honor and final
| ly stung Mrs. Miranda Keene into heroic
action.
There were only three Of them-father,
mother and SON Tho last, Danforth, was
u bright, sturdy Ind with handsome head,
topped with yellow curls, and eyes rs blue
AZ his grandmother best tea set. He
could lift his gentle little mother to the
ceiling without taxing his mighty muscles.
| lie had even attempted to lift tho old gray
horse much to that good animals dismay.
Life had been joyous, boisterous affair
for Dan. Books bothered him little. He
looked them over, graspcd what idoas were
In them without effort and then turned
double somersault.
Tho farmhouse stood near the gate be-
hind u group OF Pine trees. Miranda kept
| II as fresh and neat az one OF her geranium
blossoms. There was n big bow window
| full of plants In the sitting room and u
piano standing near. Up stairs the beds
were massive and snowy, and tho carved
posts shono with the polish Of generations.
Next to Danforth, her house was Miranda's
idol. She was II slight, delicate little
woman, with face that, like faded rose
leaf, never lost Its suggestion OF girlish
bloom. intellectually she was far ahead
OF her husband, whom she usually regard
Cd as an older boy than Dan, but even
moro In need Of care and guidance.
Sho announced hor plan to raise tho
mortgage one spring morning at tho break
fast table. 1--WE could advertise for some
city people for tho summon. We have
boarded tho teachers BEFORE and there's
plenty of room In tho house. l can got
Marietta Hodges to help with tho cooking.
l dare say wc could make 5000 out Of 1t.
Abncr objected. lIo didn't want his
vito working to support him, and 1t was
u nuisance to have strangers bothoring
around. Dan, on the contrary, thought
the plan promised amusement, and ho and
his mother carried the day, ms usual.
They advertised in metropolitan paper
and received several answers. Ono was
from young lady who desired rest and
quiet Sho was not we'll and had been
overworkod. Miranda liked tho note.
"Schoolteacher, Of COURSE" sho thought
and prepared hor favorite room for the
weary ono. Miranda had % special weak
| ness for sohooltcachors. She would have
been ono herself II she hadn't married.
| She thought II the only ladylike employ
mcnt for II woman. "Mirabol Heathcoto"
| was tho signature Of tho note, and 1t seem.
cd very musical to Miranda. There were
also clergyman family coming and two
widows. Miranda's venture promised we'll
financially.
Miss Hoathcote was very much as Mi
randn had fnncicd hcr-slight and grace
full, with large dark eyes and hair that
shono In satiny bands above her broad, fair
brow. She kept u great deal to herself Mt
first. Miranda was too busy to talk with
her, and she did not frnterniEe with the
minister's family or tho widows Dan saw
hor swinging In her hammock us he drove
past on his crrands into town. Ono day
he called out to her to come with him.
Sho accepted listlessly, but looked In dis.
mny at tho high wagon into which she
must climb. In trico Dan lifted her over
the wheel as II she were thistle down.
ooh, myl" she exclaimed, turning about
to look at him. That's about as good as
Sandow can dor'
ooh, that's nothinl" declared Dan,
whose weak point was, paradoxioally, his
strength why can lift our old horse, -
"Did you over SEQ SandowP" asked Mir.
abel
mo; who Is hoS"
"Why, he's the strongest man In tic
world you know Ho travels around and
shows what he can do In the theatcrs.
~ Amt never been In theayter, an
swerod Dan soberly. Mother never liked
the idea OF EN- I'd like to SEQ the man.
though, that can lift more than l can.
There want boy ut school that could be
gin with me-
Mirabel interrupted him. "why docsn't
your mother like the thcaters9"
Dan tossed back his curly head and
hlnshed, why, she thinks theyr bad,
and the actin folks are u hard lot he ex
planned awkwardly.
We'll, 1t wouldn't hurt you just to look
Mt them" remarked Mirahel, frowninl
somewhat, Dan thought how very pretty
she was.
II don't know much about II myself, Y
he answered, "but 1t does seem kinde,
bold, the things they say they do. ID
rather have the fresh air and n good hors,
on hard road than the whole pack Of EN-
Say, don't you want some Of that pini
Ivy to carry homo with your Don't 50,
anything about tho theayter to mother
cause she's dead set against IT, don,
know OF anything she hates worse, les.
it's moth millers.
Mirabel received the flowers silently
Tho color had dcopcncd In her cheeks IL
the cool morning breeze. Dan noticed II
"You're chtrpin up already" he said
II s'poso schoolteachln's wearin work.
know Id hammer all the kids into musl
II they hot hered mo tho wny we ussd Z,