Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-24
81 Bound bytaESpe1l ri


!
and tie money would provide me with
food and lodging on the way. had no
conception Of the road, but l resolved
that 4 would take the one down which
| had seen her disappear. She said that
she understood that to be the right one
I would follow IL her steps.
The day was just dawning when l
came upon a large, fashioned villaee
UnuseI to violent exercise, and exhaust
ed for want OF food. for had eaten
nothing since dinner time the day before.
my steps began TO flag | looked round
some place TO rest; there was no sign
Of life in any of the houses-all seemed
buried in sleep. l walked slowly on
until came to a little swing gate, which
led to the village church-an ancient
looking building, embossed in trees.
HererI thought is a quiet spot whore
can rest a little while. | opened the
gate, and passed through.
II was a pretty, quiet spot. | could
NOT have found better for an hours
rest. There was ,eavy dew upon the
long grass, so I $ ID myself upon a
high. fat tombstone I'D placed my bum
/ die beneath my head. l was very weary,
| and in spite of the cold air of the dawn,
that made me SILVER. l fell fast asleep,
with the twittering of the waking birds
| sounding in my ears.
When / awoke the sun was shining
| brightly, and the birds were in full song.
! For a moment ( could not comprehend
| my position. l sat up and looked round,
| hut my doubts were only Of a second.
! Then / knelt down against my stone
| bed and offered up 4 thanksgiving for
my deliverance. and 4 fervent prayer
/ for my future safety.
/ When rose from my knees | became
/ conscious that | was not alone. Seated
/ upon tomb a little distance from me,
aud attentiyely watching me, was an
| old gentleman dressed like respecta-
| bic farmer.
/ Good morning, young mans he said.
! in CHEEKY voice; you've had rather
] cold bed. I'm thinking. I suppose you've
been travelling all night?"
| Yes sir. p" I answered. From Bury"
why. that isn't more than ten miles.
You should have had a little more sleep
in your bed. my lad and have started
about this time. Enough TO give you
your death of cold to lie out here and go
to sleep IN the dew. You don't look
very strGag. either. Wherever you're
going. you won't get on now till you've
had a bit OF breakfast"
l celored up at the mention Of bre k
fast. | had not farthing of motley,
ana until l could dispose of the con
tents of my bundle, | could not procure
a mouthful. I thanked him. took up my
bundle. wished him good morning and
turned to 20.
stop, stop come here a minute" he
called out
| advanced a few steps nearer to him.
He scrutinized me more carefully than
ver, with the expression Of man who
" ~ about TO make pr position Of
4 ,ubtful prudence
Here. here. you shall come and break
fast with me-" he said, after a minutes
pause. Il like the look Of you, and
don't think you're tramp"
/ thanked him very much for his kind
ness. which, under the circumstances. l
! certainly had not strength Of mind
/ enough to decline. We left the church
! yard and proceeded down a lovely green
| lane canopied with trees.
| Il always rise az ave" said the old
| gentleman. as we walked along: "and.
unless il is very bad weather take
walk as far as the churchyard. It's
been my custom for many years, and.
suppose. will continue to be SO until some
morning | am carried there. never TO
come back again Nothing like exercise.
however. and the early morning air,
to delay that litle event; but rot sleep
ing on tombstones," he added, with
laugh
! After about ten minutes walk we
stopped before q dor in a high garden
| wall which my conductor opened with
/ key. and facing Us at the end Of gar-
/ den patti was the prettiest cottage / had
/ ever seen. very old-fashioned, and en-
/ tirely covered with roses and woodbfncs,
/ that loaded the whole air with delicious
/ perfume. The garden was beautifully
! laid out in flower beds on one side was
| a grape house. on the other n couserva-
, tory, filed with the most brilliant coll
ored plants Tie rays OF the morning
sun We're Slantins brightly across the
scene. and imparting to it the most
! ioyously cheerful air
How different co the house | have
just left ! thought.
Pretty place, ism, it, said the old
gentleman.
"Sweetly pretty | murmlYcd
He led the way into q little low
rocfed room. d3rkened 10y the ,varhapg-
ing blossoms that hung thickly over the
atticed window. II was cor fortably,
Indeed. handsomely furnished The table
was laid for breakfast. \ second cup
and saucer and plate wer soon pFod;'cet
by a kiud-loukng. m'3 1c-ageh woman,
and I was soon sitting ',efore n sUhsIIn-
tisl meal ul eggs and bacon. aud Geld
beet, % he washed down by plenty of
strong coffee. Never had food been 80
grateful to me before ana certainly
ud amp le justice to it. I could per
Give that my host every now and then
asst curious glance a me- as though
. presented something Of u puzzle TO him
Now. il might be permitted TO haz
ard guess should fancy you were
something in the parson line" ne said
leaning hack in is chair.
!, I disclaimed the honor
! Well. it was the long hair and III,
81. 1nrcr-looSiug black clothes that put r,a'
, idea into m, head: ana you look SO Seri
/ ous for lad of your years have il
You're a school usher"
. | confessed that has last guess wa.
correct
"Ah. poor foL.... No wonder 70,
: look so miserable.' lie said. compassion
ately. 1T must be a hard life, and
: badly paid one; and l suppose you VI
: left your placci Where are You som
= nowe"
/ Il am going - the 'ity."
. You've friends there. | SuppoSc2'
.ssv NH I stub 1.af