Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-04-21

narrows to an ordinary roadway and
divides. One fork turns to the right,
following UP the banks, of q winding
| covered wheel and lily dotted pond
above. The other turns to the left,
| crosses the narrow Sandgate valley
and bears south past the Page place
| If it were Sunday, not many years ago
md about IL in the morning, Il Stran-
| ger passing the church would have
heard through the open doors and win
! dows the exquisitely sweet voice of
| Alice Page, clear as bell and melodi-
] Gus as birds, toying and trilling
I through Coronation" or some other
easily recognized hymn, and had that
stranger awaited the close of service
he or she would have seen among the
congregation filing out one petite and
plump little lady, with fower-like face,
sparkling blue eyes and kiss inspiring
mouth, who would most likely have
walked demurely along with her big
brother Albert and, turning down a
narrow pathway. follow him across
the meadows, over footbridge that
spans the stream and up to an old
fashioned elm shaded house.
This landmark, known far and wide
as the Page place, is historic. Built in
the time of King George and one of
the first three erected in Sandgate, it
has withstood the storms of two centu.
ries and seen many generations of
Pages come and go. Additions have
been made to it-an ell on one side,
larger windows and wide veranda in
front Inside 1t Is much the same, for
the open tireplaceS remain in parlor
and sitting room, and tall clock of
solemn tick stands in the hall where it
stood when Paul Revere took his IA
NOUS ride
The last owner, Simeon Page, or, as
he was called, Squire Page, Joined
the great majority two years after an
enterprising railroad creps up the
Sandgate valley He had bitterly OPP
posed it's entrance into the town, and
it was asserted that chagrin at his de
feat FASTENED his death. His widow.
with their two children, Albert and
Alice. and a widowed sister remained
and with the aid of hired men man
aged the farm. But bushes began to
choke the pastures and meadows, the
outbuildings grew shabby, the house
received no paint, and as the children
grew up and needs increased one by
one the broad fields We're sold. 1t had
been the squire's ambition that his on
ly son should become professional
Ia; ,:e,l,n A
bert's mother had pinched and saved,
denying herself all luXuries, and given
him a collegiate education. He had
graduated with honors, read law, been
admitted to the bar and then returned
to Sandgate and opened an Office.
Alice, three years his junior, had been
sent to a boarding school for two
years. where she devoted most Of her
time to music, then came home again
as mothers helpmate.
But the years of self denial were at
an end, for one June day that mother
laid down her burden and was placed
beside her husband in the village cem-
etery. Then the two orphans found
themselves joint heirs to an old time
worn house, a few acres of meadow, q
couple hundred dollars of debts and
nothing else. No, that is not right, for
they both had youth, good health and
habits and good educations.
Albert, who had rather taken charge
of matters since his return to Sand
gate, kept the debt situation from
Alice after his mothers death, feeling
she had grief enough to bear without
it, but for all that it troubled him Sc
riously The income from his practice
was scarcely enough to clothe him and
not likely to increase, for Sandgate
had scant use for lawyer, and what
to do or which way to turn he knew
not. If it We're not for Alice and
Aunt Susan he thought it would be
easier, but they must be provided for.
Alice who had been his companion,
playmate and confidant since the days
of short dresses, he especially cared
for and that feeling was mutual.
So devoted brother and sister We're
they that it had kept them from form
ing other associations, and when AL
bert had been asked why he did not es-
cort some other young lady to the husk-
ing bees, barn dances or church socia-
bles his usual reply was. "Alice is good
enough for me, and when she prefers
another beau l may, but not till then
With Alice, though many Of the vii
lage SWANS wooed she wouldn't. Even
Jim Mears, stalwart and with hand
like foot, Jared no better, and when
Albert rallied her once about young
Mears she answered, ooh, Jim's al
right; he isn't handsome, but, then
he is strong" which delicate sarcasm
may be considered sufficient reflex OF
her feelings toward others Of the would
be attentive young farmers.
But for all that Alice was counted in
on every festive gathering. If it was d
barn dance, she was always there and
never lacked partners, and when the
jolly party rode home in big wagon
filled with straw 1T was her voice tina,
always started "The Quilting Party
or other old time ballad usually inspir