Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-12-06

were released from their uncongenlai
quarters in the city and comfortably
installed therein.
Mrs. Reuben-a meek little woman,
with no more ideas of supporting her
self than canary bird might have
was yet good housekeeper, and
willingly undertook the management
Of domestic affairs, while Amaranth
gave her attention to the raising of
poultry and garden vegetables. And
the children grew as round as butter
balls, romping under the gnarly old
apple trees or playing hide-and-seek
among the tall sunfowers and holly
hooks that nodded In the dooryard.
Later on, Amaranth earned a few
dollars each week by the sale of her
produce at the little village Of Piney-
Vile Center, which was scarcely
stones throw from her back pasture
bars But with all her industry and
economy she found it hard matter
to provide for herself and the help
less ones depending on her, and there
were times when she really feared
the wolf was already at her door.
Sylvester Smedley took particular
pleasure in driving past the house,
with Nancy Maria Stubbleheld, to
whom he had transferred his atten-
lions, seated beside him in his spring
buggy.
But no one offered helping hand,
and Amaranth was beginning to feel
tremor of despair when something
happened which no one-certainly not
Amaranth-had ever dreamed would
com to pass.
1t was nothing more nor less than
the building Of branch railway from
the Ozark lead and zinc" mines to
point on the Mississippi River some
twelve miles beyond Pineyyille Centre.
The nearest route, according to sur
vey, lay directly across one side Of
Amaranth's estate, and she readily ac-
cepted the offer of 5000 from the min
ing company for this small portion of
her s'vorn-out' farm land.
But the tide of prosperity did not
stop here.
Roger Allen, the young surveyor,
who had laid out the new railroad,
suggested Pineyville Centre as the
most convenient point for the smelling
works to be erected by the mining
company.
And so the sleepy little village
walked up one fine morning to find it
self in the midst of most unexpected
boom"
Amaranth, though offered a high
price, refused TO part with her prop
erty on any terms. BY the advice Of
the young surveyor. however, she was
induced to lay out a portion of her
| farm, fronting the railroad, in town
lots. which were eagerly purchased
ar a satisfactory valuation, and the
Brooke addition" soon ranked as the
most desirable residence portion OF
Pineyville Centre.
And Amaranth found herself. if not
wealthy. at least comfortably situated.
A stout hired farm hand attended to
I The farm work now. The WORKOUT
meadows and cornfelds were redeem
ed fro, their impoverished condition.
The Anticipated cow was supplanted
BIZ a small herd of Jerseys. The de
crepit horse was ''pensioned of" on
! the latest of pastures, while q span
/ of matched bays" drew the new car
rvau when Amaranth or Mrs. Reuben
i and her children took an airing.
The discounted relatives, who had
all but boycotted Amaranth in the
dark DAYS, now discovered that blood
was thicker than water" and FASTENED
10 make friendly overtures.
And sylvester Smalley. who had not
vet succeeded in building on the pater
nal forty acres. abruptly ceased his al
tentions TO Nancy Maria, and cast
longing eyes toward the thrifty corr
fields and well filed barns of the old
homestead.
Long since had he repented or his
short sightedneSs. and after some skin
full maneuvering he one day succeeded
in meeting Amaranth face 10 face a
the old Sule-
She'd q rose in her bonnet. and on. sh'
looked sweet
As the little pink flower that grows Il
the wheat.
And Sylvester felt that ne must wiz
her st all hazards.
He advanced smiling and with out
stretched hands.
Did you really think I meant Z
give you up. Auaranth." he asked. re
proachfully.
But she drew coldly back.
GIVE me ups Certainly. You gav'
me up long ago" she returned
~RSf didn't mean it. IL own
was ssol. Amaranth.'' he stammered
desperately. but l allus intended Z
come back an marry you- An tain