Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-11-21
The Coming
Of Giuseppe.
A Story of an Old Couple, Fortune
Teller and an Absent Son.


Early on the third morning Of Milton
Wakes, William Eyre of Scraperlowe,
was awakened by his wife suddenly
sitting up in bed and laughing with
glee-odd In a woman Of So, who had
for II months labored under great
trouble. He turned on his pillow and
saw her rubbing her eyes with the
back Of her hand. Her white nightcap
had fallen loosely back to her Shout
ders; her hair, still black and heavy,
was slightly disordered, 4 pink flush
warmed her thin cheeks.
"Such n dream, ladr' she cried, in a
voice whence all the sleepiness had not
departed. "Darrand were + tn flood
an big ships, such as one sees pic
lures, were sailin up, easy as maybe,
to tn New Brig. An l stood at tn
wayter side an watched, an tn first
soul saw on board were our lad, COM
in home to you an me-"
Williams own eyes glistened; 1t was
apathy. at means luck" he said
9Th Lord knows as you an me wants
luck badly now, though tn money as
we had to find for Tom Brasker's sure
ty be all paid. Well pull through,
make no doubt, an-happen-happe
our lads safe an sound somewhere"
Then he rose and dressed himself
nd 1,;~
was nigh milking time. When he re-
turned with his two pals trimming
with snowy foam and odorous as wild
flowers, he found, to his great surprise,
that Mary was kneeling on the hearth,
blowing a newly lighted fire with an
ancient pair Of bellows:
'Well" he said, somewhat GROSSLY.
"Why couldna stop l. bed till brought
your tea up stairs2 You know tn doc
tor said you were to rest fro morn TO
night"
She turned her face toward him.
Sweet laughter still curved her lips.
"Hark at him." she exclaimed. Il
might be naughty BARN"
Then she worked the bellows until
the blaze leaped up the chimney and
the kettle that swung from a great pot
hook began to sing stentoriOusly. AS
soon as she had lifted it to the hob She
began to lay the breakfast table for
the first time since her health had CIV
ell way. The oatcake toaster was hung
upon the bars. From the oven came
the cracking sound that accompanies
the frying Of bacon. William watched
her like one bewitched. He had never
dared to hope that she would take an
active part in the work again. But as
they shared that meal she seemed as
sprightly rs in the days of her young
wifehood.
When they had finished eating, she
went to the window and looked down
the hillside to Milton. The Neither End
was full of caravans and stalls. AL
ready one might hear the crack crack
of the shooting galleries, where assem-
bled such holiday makers as wished to
make the most of their time before, in
another hour, they departed downward
in the carriers old yellow omnibus
why, William" said Mary. 81 feel
that young today! 1t all puts me i
mind O. when you were courtin me.
- I'm just thinkin, lad, as this
even, when tn works done, I'd like
you an me to go down to tn Wakes
together"
The farmer slapped his knee. AYE,
that will we" he said. I'D have prof
fered it myself but for fear O. yo' none
bein able to walk"
So they made up their minds. and
Williams heart grew glad within him
to see how much of her old zeal had
returned. She laughingly forbade him
to help with the household duties, made
pointed remarks concerning his bewil-
dered face and finally dismissed him
from her presence while she set the
place in order. And when evening had
come and they went arm in arm to the
Neither End. which they reached just
as the sun was concentrating his
strength for a golden glory. and the
first and most notable sight they be-
held was young Giuseppe. with her
wheeling hurdy gurdy and cage Of
Java sparrows.
The girl was standing on the green
near the forecourt of the Bold Cloudes-
ley turning the handle of the anti
quated music box. Such Of the notes
as came belonged to some fragment Of
a long since forgotten opera. Only
now and again could one hear any,
thing. and that was at the intervals
when the galloping horses winded for
The gathering Of new riders. Giuseppe