Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-04-27

self she ought to consider-suppose
ANYTHING was to happen to her, what
would become OF that poor mite?
Such a chance as it was-my good
ness me! I've no patience with her, |
haven'tw
Her breath being once more exhaust
ed, the voluble little woman ceased.
and set herself to the preparation OF
tea, Which-a rare occurrence er
husband had arrived to share, bring
| ing Tom Greious, whom he had met
in the neighborhood, to share it with
him.
Ida had been fetched by her mother
! rather earlier than usual, and by her
Mrs Stocker had been made aware OF
the offer made by Madame Annina,
and her own rejection OF it, IN the
repetition of which to her husband
and guest, the well-meaning woman
had suffered her mistaken zeal to
outrun her prudence.
ssIt's all very well, 'Ria," said her
husband, soberly-and when not I'M
| der the influence of evil spirits, no
man could be soberer than William
Stocker-'tit's all very well, we're used
to the ways Of people and all that;
and we know the ms and outs OF q
theaytrical life, but you'llrec 'lect that
| Mrs.-what' her name?-Mrs. Frank
len, has been used to country ways
and that country people do believe all
plays and such things to belong to the
devil bodily-and it's natural enough
the woman shouldn't like the notion
OF parting with her child out Of hand,
! to 90 she don't know where, and DO
she don't know what"
Mrs. Stocker seldom differed audibly
from her husband when he was IN a
sane mood; besides, she had had her
say, was cooling down, and inclined to
see things in truer light, so she con-
tented herself with grumbling assent
to his remark.
cat least she might have put it in
pleasant way" she said, '.and have
been thankful for the kind offer OF
madame. / could just see, by the way
she spoke here, that she fared up as
if any one had wanted to rob her OF
the child, instead Of making lady OF
her."
Tom now spoke. "Mrs. Franklen is
SO wrapped up like in Ida" he said,
"of course she felt bad at the notion
of losing her; and where'd be thegood
of making a lady of her, Mrs. Stocker,
and taking her away from all her old
friends? / don't see."
"See! no, you don't suppose you see
everything, do your, she laughed, for
she was becoming fast Modified; and
she added, "For the matter OF that,
I've nothing to complain OF, for |
should have been theloser; she's worth
ever so much to me, and I'm going to
raise her wages, poor child, next week;
but what / say is this, it is hiding a
light under bushel, as the Bible says
such a voice as they all say she has;
and such chance never may turn up
again. !"
From the conversation of that even
ing sprang the germ of an idea, which
grew and took strength and shape in.
Tom mind as rapidly as do all ideas
in the hotbed OF a youthful determi-
nation.
His jealousy of the interference with
his young friends prospects, which
had been threatened by the appear
ance of the lady, had been appeased
by the knowledge of its abrupt termi-
nation, and Tom was once again the
faithful ally and escort.
''And would you really like to learn
to sing?" he asked Of Ida, as they
made their accustomed Journey in the
morning together.
"Oh, Tom, if ] could!' the girl an
swered, her whole face lighting upwith
eagerness. II couldn't leave mother,
you know, but if I could only learn to
sing like Madame Annina, | should be
so happy, so glad, Tom, you don't
know! But / never can, for mother
says we are poor and must work for
money; that's the only way, Tom;
and it would take lots, oh, ever SO
much to pay for learning; and Tmnot
going to talk OF it any more, because
it vexes mother, and it is no good, no
good, Tom" Ida sighed; it was strange
what hold that one idea had taken
upon theyoung mind OF the girl.
"But you may talk about it, cried
her companion, "and you will, and SO
will your mother. Look here, Ida,
you shall learn to sing, and one O.
these days, who knows, ha! who
knows but you'll be great singer and
rich, too, ah! and drive your ponies
like the madame, there"
"Tom! oh, Tom dear" the girl ex
claimed, as soon as she could find her
voice for amazement and delight.
TO BE CONTINUED.