Barre evening enterprise. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-1898, 1898-04-16

have deprived us until this late hour OF
' the chance to honor this great event in
, manner more fitting. You, madam,
as the wife of Lonergan, are welcome
to this camp, and every boy in his out
fit has warm spot for you under his
vest If the little things we have
brought her' tonight will be of any
service to you both, we will be mighty
pleased. We only ask that you will use
all of them.
At this moment the boys smiled and
dropped their bundles to applaud and
emphasize the remarks Of their spokes-
man. The little burro, as If to strengthen
their sincerity, walked to the end of his
rope and stretched his woolly head to-
ward Pete.
The mayor came forward step, and
while playing with the ears of the beast
cleared his throat several times and
coughed Then he started his response:
"Boys, I'm not much for speakin,
but I'm no SLOUGH on thinkin. don't
know how to thank you for this ball
and all this useful outfit but do feel
blame grateful, boys-we both do. Now
let's dance, and promise you we'll use
every darned present you've brought
u.s."
Then the men filed up in line and
met Mrs, Lonergan and danced with
her. In the small hours of the morning
tables were brought in and supper was
served. Every delcacy the boys had
been able to procure at such short no.
tice was there, and in the center of tho T
table rose the bridal cake with its two
sugared figures. 1t was daybreak when
the ball was over, and all tho boys
agreed, as the last drink was taken,
that Pete had struck great luck And
SO it proved.
Mayor Lonergans wife was worship
ed by the boys before she had been q
month in camp. She was delicate lit
tie lady, with low voice and modest
manners. She bad been brought up in a
comfortable home in Missouri. yet she
srooved into the life of Ashcroft as if
'he had been designed for it. If miner
vas hurt, it was Mrs. Lonergan who
ooked after him and his wounds. If
me of the boys was hard up and needed
'elp, it was Mrs. Lonergan who found
out and sent Pete to his aid. Thus it {
vas that the quiet little woman won
he love and respect of the miners of t
Ashcroft. The mayor, under the influ- 7
nee OF his wife, grew to be quite new !
IAN His whole soul was wrapped up t
the little woman and her work. r
1t was just year after the ball. The v
hole camp loved the wife of the mayor y
Ashcroft. and there was not a man '
| the whole d&trict who would have Ii
ot ridden 4S hours to do her the slight Il
It favor. Pete had gone to Glenwood tt
see physician, and the boys held
Getting to talk over the coming event. n
ney had arranged to do the handsome IL
ing by the heir They had decided to pl
we large silver mug made from the W
taken from their hills and to present tt
at time when they could give Pete sc
d his wife reception worthy the al
me Of Ashcroft er
But they never did ca
The mother and the boy were buried to
thin the boundary Of Pete's location, en-
Prospect. She had asked to be buried II
re and not taken home. ru
Ashcroft seemed to fade with the loss pr
that woman. One man after another br
led up stakes and left, but not with. pr
lump in his throat as the stage ro1
sed the PROSPECT. tn
'ete did not talk much for a year. Th
ne never put pick into Ashcroft's br(
und after the death of his wife. VIC
le OF tho boys claim he wont out of thu
mind entirely pa,
lie locked his cabin as it stood, tax bat
away only one thing, little cradle Ma
10 OF cigar box, with broken vic
lg still attached to it-Henry Rus bea
Wray in Pittsburg Post,