Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-04
WHAT KATIE CAUGHT.

soul and body together. must en-
deavor to find something that pays
better than this ceaseless stitching
But here comes mother. ! must chase
away this weary look
Mr.. Ashley had been a government
clerk and lived up to every cent of
his income, just managing 10 keep up
genteel appearance and send Katie
to an excellent school.
But Mr.. Ashley died suddenly, and
the little family was left entirely des-
titute. Mrs. Ashley was an invalid.
She could help in no way to support
her little family. SO Katie, when only
16. was forced to leave her studies
and put her shoulder to the wheel. A
sewing machine was purchased, and
bravely she went to work.
Katie, love, this will never do. You
must not work so constantly. Get
your hat and go take walk, and, my
child She hesitated. well. I've
been thinking that possibly, if you
friends, you might get a position. |
should think General Looms, if he
! knew you, would give you work. Go
and ask him. Katie"
! what about the general. mother?
| know him by sight and to speak to
little, and he is a fine old gentle
man. | Think said Walter Ashley. a
boy of 10 years. who had entered the
room and caught the last part Of his
mothers remark.
'How, or rather where, did you meet
him, Walter?" asked Katie.
Why, | see him most every after
noon up where we go fishing. Well,
1t would do you good to see him when
he has fine luck. / believe he would
So oner draw up black bass than green.
backs, Walter answered.
20, Walter, sometimes when he is in
such a good humor, could you not tell
him who you are and ask him to
give me something to do?" Katie
asked III tone and manner half
serious, half in fun.
Now, as if he would mind what a
boy said! No, Katie, you come and
go with me. Ladies' often come up to
the fishing ground. Then, when he
looks pleasant enough, you ask him
yourself. | am going now
! They were soon after on their way
to the fishing grounds. When in sight
of the place, Walter said: 1.-THE gen
eral is not there, but he will come by
and by, l guess. I'm glad we are
first, I'll get a good position
Soon his line was dropped and a
few minutes after Katie saw him
draw it up with triuphant exclama-
ton.
! What beauty! Oh, there comes
the general! Amt | glad he didn't get
here before. He would have caught
this. Now, watch him, Katie I'm
going to have brisk time, | think. :"
Katie raised her eyes to the ap-
preaching form timidly for an instant,
but an instant only, for surely there
she found nothing to encourage a
longer gaze.
! General Looms looked decidedly
cross, and the expression changed not
for the better during the two hours
the girl sat and watched.
Then at last. tired and disheartened,
she coaxed Walter to return home.
What luck?" asked Mrs. Ashley.
meeting them at the door.
splendid See what feast" ex-
claimed Walter. He had quite for
gotten the real purpose of Katie's
going.
/ "Oh, Walter mother means some
thing of more Importance than your
fish, Katie said, adding: "No luck
for me, mamma. | could not dare to
speak to him. He looked awfully
cross"
We'll, that's So He did. | never
saw him so before. But the fish did
not bite for him. | guess that was
the reason" said Walter.
! Day after day, when Walter re-
turned from school, she would put
aside her work and accompany him,
returning to the anxious mother ever
with the respondent look on her pale
face.
4 Twelve days passed thus. To Walter
1t was beyond comprehension. lie de-
clared that always before the general
looked pleasant. Sometimes he was
really jovial, and on two or three oc-
caslons had spoken with much kind.
ness to him.
Il declare, Katie, it is the strangest
thing ! ever knew. From the time
he comes in sight he looks cross and
grows more so until he or we eave,'
Walter said.
Then ! will not go any more.
believe | must have something to do
with his changed humor."
"Oh, nonsense, Katie! I never meant
to imply anything of that kind. OF
course, as / told you before. neither
YOU nor | have anything to do with
! 1t. Come on
Again they arrived in time to secure
the place for Walters sport. And