Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-08-31
On the Soil.

They were married-heayen knows
why, as with so many of them-and
went to live on Nance's island, a long,
fertile strip in the river, three miles
wide There were no other inhabit-
ants, and the hIhs on the river banks
shut away away all sound of outer life.
He had been raised in the country, but
she was town lass, and the gas lamps
and bustle of the seaport had got into
her blood Perhaps she never loved
him. anyway she was not happy.
She was an industrious wench. The
tiny two-roomed cottage he had built
was kept scrupulously neat, and she
helped him in the fields, when, with
her sleeves rolled back from her round
Drown arms and COWS breakfast, as
they call the wide straw farmers hats
in New Brunswick, on her dark hair,
he thought her a proper woman
enough, with her 1.-the, strong figure
and her cleaning eye, but never told
her so.
By and by she seldom talked and
grew restless on the days when they
put off in their rowboat 10 deliver eggs
and butter to the river steamboats,. He
did not notice how eagerly she scanned
the dress of the women passengers nor
how the captain kept an eye on all her
movements.
Fall came, tinting the landscape like
O splendid sunset, and the red and ye,-
low trees rustled in the windy sunshine
of October days. Then he sprained his
ankle and had to bide at his doorstep
while she took the boat and rowed out
to The steamer for the trade. She
seemed to be gone longer than neces-
sary, he thought Perhaps she was
driving hard bargain. She was
shrewd and he was lucky TO have her.
He wished she would liven up bit,
though, and not long so much for the
town and shops. What did farmer 5
wife need in town except market for
her wares? But women were all odd.
He was right in his surmise. She
had raised the price of the butter and
eggs and brought home few extra
cents. So on the following days when
she delayed her return several minutes,
he was not impatient. But when the
next time for the steamer to pass came
and the minutes heightened into quar-
tiers, then hours, he grew disturbed and
hobbed to the beach. She pulled a
good, strong oar for town lass, but
her father was a sailor, so 1t came
natural for her to manage boat. The
river was a treacherous flow OF water,
but her boat was easy to pull, and she
had not far to go.
1t was strange he could see her.
Perhaps she had gone around to the
sand beach. The rowan trees were
there, and she had fancy for decking
up the house with them. He though.
it somewhat cruel as well as proftless
10 rob the birds of their winter food,
but she laughed at that.
He would best go home, he thought,
and put the potatoes on for dinner. II
was the lass work, out she had gone 10
do his, so turn about was fair. He was
so honest! At the close OF day sdlI
there was no sign Of her, and he tried
again 10 walk to the shore, but the 10
jured ankle would not stand the strain,
and he was forced to sit and wait,
Night came, but she did not return.
On his hands and knees he crawled TO
the beach and called her name loudly
with a harsh breaking in his voice, The
cries echoed back mOckingly. Tne
moon went down behind the hills and
left him cropping in the dusky starlight
His hands were torn and his knees
bruised BY the jagged stones as he
dragged himself, but he took no heed.
calling out for the woman whom for
the arst time he realized in a dumb
heavy way he loved.
At dawn, peering out eagerly, he saw
his boat ashore some distance mp the
island. His heart beats quickened, and
something warm and tender flashed
through him. How be had missed her
Poor LASS Perhaps She 90. missed
her home folk. Well, the work was
nearly done. and frost would soon bind
he river and then he would drive her
to the town and take her 20 the fair