Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-12-02


in New York.
HE never told me that" said Mrs.
Merrydew, family.
Il s'pose it's dreadful dull and poky
out here,' said the young woman, with
shrug of her pretty tawdry shoulders.
DO the crickets always keep on cheep
-cheeping, like this? And don't the
wind ever stop moaning through the
trees? Dear me, what crazy looking
old clock! Why don't you change it off
for something modern? Tea? No,
don't care for tea. I'd a deal rather
have glass of beer. Beer always sets
me UP when feel faint. Or p'raps you
might put just drop of gin or spirits
in the tea?"
Mrs. Merrydrew grew sick at heart
she leaned up against the wall and
closed her eyes.
us this my only sons wifeY' she ask
ed herself "This coarse, untidy, half
educated creature? Oh, what have
done to be punished like this? Sans
wife! In all the pictures of her that
painted to myself there was never one
like this. No, neverr
And the picture of her boys blighted
life, her own desolate future, rose dark
ly up before her minds eye with sick
ening distinctness.
81 can't be resigned to this!' she TT
tered aloud.
Sans wife eyed her with lazy indif-
ference, mingled with rising dislike
and prejudice.
"Humph!" said she, II don't see how
you're going to help yourself, mother
| in-law. What's done can't be undone.
Sans sick of his bargain, and you're
sick of yourn, but amt tired Of miner
| with a sinister chuckle. 1T may be
dull and stupid here, but It's peg
higher up than waiting in fifteen
cent restaurant, anyhow"
"Wheres Sam?' Mrs. Merrydew ask
ed abruptly.
"Ain't he here?' said the young wife,
opening her china-blue eyes. why,
! he came yesterday"
"Sam?"
Eyes, Sam. Sampson Farley Parkins,
Esouirer with an insolence which was
heightened by defiant toss OF the
head, eff you want the full name and
all particulars, old lady!'
.'There's some mistake" said Mrs.
Merrydew, with a sudden sensation or
grateful relief at her heart. my sons
name is not Sampson Farley Parkins,
although I believe there is young
man of that name living at the grist
mill, four miles up the road. My son IS
called Samuel Merrydew."
Good graciousv' cried the bride,
starting to her feet in scrambling,
terrified sort of way, and making a
vague clutch at the shabby bonnet.
."Then I've made mistake and come
to the wrong place! They told me 1t
was a red house, back Of four big will
lows"
eyes, said Mrs. Merrydrew, ut Is
a red house behind four large willow
! trees. but there" with conscious pride)
I .the likeness ends. Perkins Mill House
is not nv any means such place as
] thisv'
| Al the same moment an open wagon,
well besplashed with liquid mud, clat-
tered up to the door, and shrill voice
was heard crying out:
"Evenin'. Mis- Merrydew! Seen any
| thing of a young oman in blue gown
and red shawl hereabouts? I've some
how missed my wife at the depot, and
why, there she is now! How on ear'n
come you here, Louisa Jeannetta! lou
might ha' knew I'd a-come arter you'
| if YOU could ha' waited a spell.
And Mr.. Sampson Farley Parklns' d
long-limbed Yankee, in, a blue checkeu
| shirt and a suit Of pepper-and-sail
| cloth. helped his wife into the vacan.
seat of the muddy wagon ana rattleu
away, leaving Mrs. MerrydeW s.Anui'is'
! staring on the door step.
81 am resigned now" said that ma.
iron aloud, apparently addressing nel-
self to the crows and the ciicAe's.
Good land O. liberty, 1t was just exact
| " like bad dream
| But Mrs. Merrydew had hardiy re-
| turned to the coy sitting room again
whom a second sound Of wheels Droke
nnon the fragrant stiffness OF the Oc-
toher evening, the door was nung open
| ana cheerful voice exclaimed:
.How dye do, mother, dear? Here :
NV wife, Give her a kiss, for she Is
prepared to love you deariy!
And a sweet, chiid-like young Iace'
framed Ia by smooth bands OF SHINING y
hair. was lifted to hers, wnlie SUI
voice whispered. 80 =
Dear mother, do try ana nAe w :
little, for Sans sake. iii
| my DEAR said the OLD Wonan' 49,