Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-08-01
PEACE OF THE PAST

TEACE UT IHE [ All.
For the lands sake, pa" called out
Mrs Drusilla GLADDEN. to her husband
as he wiped his feet on a piece Of carpet
at the kitchen door, Il thought you'd
never get in. Guess who's sent me let
ter. You'd never think in a month Of
Sundays. It's from Deyah Bland-my
cousin Devah."
Pa gave a smile of interest and rubbed
his hands.
We'll, l swan now! And what mas
Devy got to say for himselfF'
He's coming to Ohio to visit. He'll
be here next week. What dye think Of
that?"
Pa pulled off his boots contentedly.
Il won't be sorry to see Devy. We
war in school together. What say? Is
he doing Well?'
Doing well, but his wife's dead: been
dead two years or more. | bet you a
great deal, pa, he's on the warpath. And
to think Angeline Culver's visiting
around here just now, and she's widow.
Pa, it looks like the pintin's of provi-
dence, don't it?'
Mrs. GLADDEN. smiled benignly on her
husband, and he on her. They were in
love with each other, and had been for
twenty years.
1T truly does,'' replied pa, cit truly
does Jest think how them two courted
split was all Angelines folks fault.
wasn't it? That old man Porter never
stayed anywhere, and got a streak to
move to Indiana. Her ma wouldn't let
her stay here, and that made De7-y prop
eriy mad. They KEEP it up a while writ
IN; then Devy went out farther West
and married himself to strange woman.
After a while Angelina gets married
FIRST we hears her pardner's gone, and
shes likely widow, yisitin' round. Then
we gets letter sayin' Devy's pardner
has been departed two years, an he's
comm Ylslt1n. Now, don't that beat
ALL"
How plain you've made it. pa
beamed Mrs. Drusilla. 1T sounds like
them story papers. You ort to have been
writer for one. | often thought that.
My, amt it plum interesting? | don't
want TO miss none Of it, do you? How
can we fix it?''
Ia was so appreciative Of his wife's
praise he tilted back in the rocker and
gave the matter solemn thought
caikllate we kin have this all to our
selves, he began, ''ef you can hold out
galnst mentionin' Devy,,s comm. 1t will
be hard work for We, Drusilly, but it's
the only way. Do you think you kin hold
[nat news over prayer meetin' and Sun
day? [ tell you what he went on. ex-
Gtedly, we can just have the whole
thing happen right here, meetin' an all.
If you don't tell.
Mrs. Gladden's pleasant face fell
wonder If it'll be fair not to tell the
rest of the folks" she began You see.
Devy,l be expecting a big welcome
Asahe! GLADDEN. rose up in his socks.
Drusilly, [ have jest set my heart on
managln' the whole thing. Don't you
dIsappolnt me. [ never had so much
chance as this in all my mortal life. /
always wanted to do sech directin and
managln, and don't you disappoint me-
.'Whatll folks say when they find we
held that news?' asked his wife. much
impressed, but giving UP, as usual
They'll say you've come to years of
discretion, though | don't want to hurt
your feelings none, Drusilly. You can
take it all out fxin' up the spare room
and Marindys room. 1t air lucky
Angelina hain't been down here yet-an-
other clear 'pintin'. Now, hurry up the
dinner and write Deyy letter, tellin
him he must come right here, an we
won't take no for an answer. I'll hitch
up. the cutter and We'll go over to town
an engage Angelina for the whole endur-
in week.
The two were as excited as children
The letter had to be strong enough tC
suit pa, and was the labor of an hour
for Mrs. GLADDEN. ere it suited him. Din
ner over, they tucked themselves into q
fornia.
Wen stop on the way said the
to get hold OF Angeline'
"Oh, you do? questioned the wife, de
murely. We'll, as our Marindy declares
her pas yOunger'n any one"
Angelina Culver-Angeline Porter that
was-was visiting at old DR.. Norman's
She and Cissy Norman had always beer
close friends. She came out to the sleigh
to speak to Mrs. GLADDEN.. She was
quite dressy, and had on a pink house
tied a little white fascinator over hel
brown waves.
Il was lowing to go over to Dennis
Daodna's next week" she said, in her
soft, comfortable voice, ''but if you make
a point of it | guess L can put them off ,
Pa GLADDEN. was so anxious his little
feet danced up and down in the snow
''Oh, we want you real bad next week
Angelina! We been waiting and expect
in till we're set on it special. Do say
you'll come"
Il b'lieve pail burst if you don't come
Angelina" said his wife, she gets so sci
eon anything
''Well, [ will,'' asented the widow. 81
used to have good times at your house
when | was girl. | never have forgot
ten them
Pa went through an expressive panto
mime behind her.
and pail fetch you on Sunday after
noon,' went on Mrs. GLADDEN.. IF the
snow don't stay on he'll fetch you in the
buggy.
Afterward Mrs. GLADDEN. declared that
pa spent the happiest week of his life
getting ready for that couple to be re
united. It never struck his warm and
innocent heart that anything could &C
amlss. He piled up special wood for the
parlor, he lowered around the two bed
rooms, he actually had his finger in ev-
sery pie and cake baked. He went to the
village store alone once or twice, and af-