Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-22
By Velma Caldwell Melville.

prime of life, we'll dressed and well
fed.
None that the loikes of yez would
put up at" was the rejoinder OF a red
faced son of Erin, with an admiring
glance at the pretty young girl beside
the gentleman.
Anybody keep livery here about!
Nav. but Jimmy Murphy over there
takes folks around sometimes. Want
to go fur?'
ITO Mr.. Testers. Know him.,
Nav, but beloikes Jimmy will.
Sure nd it's meself-Oney Halligan-ez
hiz only been over siven months nd
out here two of 'em. I'll cell Jimmy,
and suiting the action to the word, Oney
was off to where a man W. unloading
wood.
Papa, l shall freeze standing here,
and I an so tired l can not ride any
where tonight" There was touch OF
petulance in the tones and the girl
shivered visibly.
Nonsense, Crete; It's not so very
cold, and l am sure ride across coun-
try will be better than staying in
filthy grog shop of hotel
But my head aches,'' persisted the
girl, Il must at least have a cup OF
tea
why didn't you get it on the train?
In sure | suggested it.
For the reason that l did not want
it then. l was not cold IN the car and
supposed of course there was a hotel
mere"
We'll; here comes our man.
Sure nd Jimmy can't go, but if it
IL be a favor to yez it's Oney Haliigan
himself ez II take Jimmy's team and
go, though sure it'll be inquirer. the
way I'll hev to-"
| Don't go, papa plead the girl.
See the sun is sinking and it's ever so
many miles, and maybe there are
wolves
Not one, Miss put in Oney re-
| spectfuIly.
A moment she frowned on him, all
but driving him wild over his blunder;
then smiled, oh so sweetly.
'Pll get yez there before sunset 'er
me names not Oney Halligan" he
cried, fervently. Trust me for that
It's only four miles, they say"
"All right my man. said the father
| The daughter walked to the fuTtht,
end of the platform, stamping he. Ii
! feet, and making what effort she coult
to get warm.
Sure nd it's bad fer the loikes of
her said Oney, watching her with his
honest heart in his eyes
ga COMPOUNDED nuisance to be the
father Of a pretty, headstrOng daugh-
teri growled the gentleman under his
breath, "but I'll be bowed I'd rather
see her married t. the like of Oney
Halligan than Clark McKendrie" Then
he shut his teeth and muttered some
thing quite unintelligible, while he
piled up their somewhat scattered bag
gage.
Fatal moment! AS he bent to more
securely buckle a shawl strap, Crete,
passing close to Oney, slipped a white
envelope and piece of money into his
rough hand.
Mail that letter and keep the
change" she whispered. Mail it right
off. She seemed much improved in
body and mind when her father, some
What hesitatingly, offered tc hunt UP
"a cup of tea," and assured btm she
was all right now.
Of truth Oney did not know the
way. and as the roads were slippery,
and neither horse shod, they literally
made haste slowly" 1t was growing
dark when Mr.. Kingsman impatiently
inquired:
See here, do you know where you
are, fellow?
Sure nd it's On the prayrie we are,
but jist where abouts, is another ques-
ton"
Are we Iost?" Mr.. Kingsman fairly
r. AIRED, for he was cold and hungry
new, and Crete's silence annoyed him
quite as much as her complaining had
done.
Sure nd that's about the size O.
it," was Oney's laconic reply, as he
imperturbabIy watched the near horse
slide down tn: hill ON her hauLches.
What did you come for if you did
not know the way?"
Sure I though ez yez wanted t.
come"
Il wanted to go to Testers, but
the violent tipping Of the sleigh inter
rupted him, and he grabbed the seat
to keep from going out
Are you very cold, dear?' he asked
gently, little later, of his daughter.
I was very, but am growing warmer
now" was Crete's reply.
Great Heavens, she's freezing,"
cried the now thoroughly aroused gen.
tleman wrenching the lines from
] Oney's fingers "IIl see what can be
done, young man.
| rs that a light papa?"
/ "Where?"
Right ahead"
| why, yes, to be sure! Jet up. here;
knew I could find the way; it can't
be over forty rod"
The forty rod" however. heightened
out until it took an hour to come up
with that light and long ere this Mr..
Kingsman's cold fingers had relinquish-
| ed the lines to Oney whose good tenn
). per was not in the least disturbed.
! As good fortune would have it the
/ house so accidentally come up to was
! the home Of the Testers, the destina-
! ton Of the Kingsmans.