Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-10-21

visions OF a future made brighter b,

| thoughts or n6f increased happiness,
not unmingled with certain financial
calculations, when a voice, to which he
had for some time been a stranger,
hailed him.
':HoHoa! eFranklen, lad why, it's
ages sim /. see thee down yon. Well,
and What hast thee been after? and
how is't thee never look in upon the
missus now" q ae
Aaron gave but cool greeting to
the landlord of the "Peepo' Day"
| who had never been much Of a favor
lite with him, and made some brief ex-
cuse.
eEhl well, well! a pretty wife is
reason enow;. but thee might look in
when thee is down yon; I've some
prime liquor in hand just now, and it
! lance sake"
Aaron thanked him, and then, as he
walked on the way both were going,ex-
pressed some surprise at the host be
ing, contrary to custom, SO far from
| home. ms
+ eyes, it bean like me, be it? but !
ha' been to the town yonder, and
thought I'd take the easiest road, for
| / bean't' as young as / were But
say, Franklen, theeneed tolooki sharp
now after this pretty wifeo your'n; |
do hear Saul Meghorn be come to live
! hereabouts' ~
Aaron turned and fronted him sud-
denly. @--~~---'r'- IN !
ssWhat do you mean?" he exclaim-
ed. ''How dare you name my wife in
that way?1 .Whats is Meghornsto e. her?"
Easy. easy, nlyslad; don't fall out
about words. I didn't say that he
were aught to her-I only were joking
like about that little matter afore
you was married." t$ q
Dashing down the heavy basket he
carried, the fisherman turned upon
the publican, and seized him by the
throat.
3 3speak plain!p he shouted; "say
what you mean, or that YOU are
drunk; or by all that's holy, I'll hurl
you from the Cliff ..-.-pa.sasz.se MI
"Aaron! Aaron! Franklen! murder!"
gasped the old man, edging himself
from the precipice by which their path
way led. "Don't strange me, lad-an
old man likesme! Let me. speak,
Franklen, releasing his throat, but
still keeping hold upon him.
4 "Why, II thought you knew-of
course YOU knew wouldn't have
spoken if I hadn't thought so-that
they carried on, him and her,
'Him and who? What the--is it
you mean?" cried Aaron, shaking him.
Him? Saul and your wife"
"It's liza foul lie!" exclaimed the
young man.
ooh, well, if thee choose to say so.
only know [ saw 'em times out Of
mind on the beach and among the
rocks there-ay, up by the Chine by
moonlight, too, of evenings. Why, [
thought everybody knew it. Dear,
dear, I'd never have said aught, if I'd
known. They said it was but toss
up which of yer she had; but there, it
was nothing, lad-nothing-it's all
gone and past. [ don't want to
make nlischief-not I, Franklen, lad;
and thee'll look in and see the missus
-ay, do"
Hurriedly he caugh the basket, as
if it had been a featr and dashing
along the rocky path was at his own
door in a few moments.
He opened it as hastily, but his wife
was not there.
The table was laid with the incest
care, the lamp burned brightly, and
fire cracked and glowed cheerily. All
was awaiting him, all in mute Ian
guage said ''Welcome," and gave token
of her care; but where was she?
The sudden tremor which ran
through. his-Veins. told him how dear
she was still, through all suspicion, all
evil report, and stern determination
Then, for the first time he remem-
bered, and he calculated, GOOD forbid
should do her harm!"
1t was Dame Rullocks, old Dams
wife, who came in from the adjoining
room, with her finger to her lips, and
met the exclamation that was on
those Of the anxious husband.
'sNo, nothing the matter, she was
only took faint; and as I'd happened
tolook in, [ stayed with her, and per-
suaded her to lie down; she's just doz-
ed a Bit" Then, after pause, the
good woman added, ESShe's been a-sob-
bling, poor child, in her sleep, and:
seems to have something on her mind;
is aught amiss, Aaron? ] ha knowed
We from a child, We might tell me?"
Again she whispered, laying her
hand upon his arm with the kind
freedom of a parent, Il cannot help
hearing, ye know, my lad, and L have
heard say We two aren't quite SO hap
spy as might be; now We know, dear
lad, We must just ha' patience with
Nelly; she's a good lass, a sweet lass;
bit wilful and waywardlike, know,
but mind ye, Aaron, she's never had
no, mother for to put. her right not
leastways since she know'd the good
sofss oneland that S sore miss. Ha'
patience WI her there's. a good lad,
and all will come tright;3th little one
will work wonders, my lad, you l.see;
she will come more thoughtful and
gentler like, wi care o that Oh,
Aaron, ha' patience with the young
thing, for she is but young and as
good as gold-Aye aren' tgvexed wi me
for speaking now, for yc see L feel like
un was INV own either one Of va2'