Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-18

day, and presently Gertrude came IN
with q dainty sandwich that brought
fresh praise from the visitor.
you'll have to make a new sign" he
said. as he sat down the empty plate.
with homemade bread, fresh outer
and chicken that never heard of the
beef trust, you've an article that can't
be beaten. Look here" he added, why
don't you start real inn? Ihere are
hundreds Of autos in town. The road
r. the falls Is the best hereabout and
there's no chance to buy decent food.
PM in q stock of syrups and a tank
of soda. Add some ice cream and cake
and keep everything just as home
like as you CAM"
Gertrude clapped her hands. We'll
do II. mother" she cried. Cant you
GEE what he means? Thank you SO
much for your suggestion
Look here" he said. THAT old
stump by the gate is no use, is it?'
were going to have it pulled when
Hiram gets the time" said Mira, apol-
oqetically. We've been meaning to do
If ever since the lightning struck it."
Don't do it," her patron almost
shouted. 1--WE got bully idea. Let
me be the godfather of the place and
I'll make sign out of the tree for
christening present"
He was back again early the next
morning. He smiled appreciatively as
he saw half a dozen small tables scat
tered about under the trees. The grass
had been moved and the place looked
fresh and inviting.
Under his direction a man he had
brought with him began to hack at the
tree.
An auto party came up just then ard
took possession of one of the tables.
Gertrude went off to wait on them, and
bv the time they had taken their de-
parture the wood carver had completed
his task.
The old stump, denuded Of its bark,
stood splintered and torn, but with a
smooth oval on its face.
"That doesn't seem to be anything"
said Gertrude, as she regarded his
work.
'It will be work of art before get
through with it," he explained, 'or my
name isn't Ernest Paynter."
rs it? Are you really Mr.. Paynter,
the artist?" she asked, finding that fact
of greater interest than the sign.
"Bless my heart" he exclaimed, 81
seemed to know you all so we'll that I
forgot you did not know my name l
am Ernest Paynter and very much at
your service.
She extended her b. nd with formal
little "Glad to meet you, Mr.. Paynter,"
that made them both laugh, and, still
holding her hand, he drew her into the
road where she could see the front of
the sign. On the panel, in raised let
ters. were the words, Good Luck Inn"
That's the name of the place." he
explained.
The sign seemed all that was need
ed, for trade grew to proportions IN
dreamed of. A soda manufacturer sent
a wagon out once week with a load
of tanks for the fountain. Hiram
secured the country for poultry and
eggs, and instead of the long drive to
the creamery each night it was not :ong
before they bought cows to supply their
own increased needs.
Paynter was out almost every DAY.
and it was he who kept the prices at
+t,A
Mira Caldwell's conscience. A dollar
for q meal seemed reasonable, but
Ernest held out for 50 a head and very
soon they had to establish a waiting
list
By the time the motoring season clos
ed and there were only occasional calls
for hot coffee and sandwiches, Mrs.
Caldwell was glad of the rest
Long before most of the hard work
had been delegated to hired girls and
she had contented herself with running
the kitchen, in which a new range nad
been established, but these had been
busy times for all, and even now there
was enough to keep Gertrude busy, so
there was a new teacher at Mink's
Crossing.
"We don't have to worry about the
mortgage" laughed Gertrude. That's
paid off and there's plenty in the bank"
"And to think your pa claims that
the fountain was mascot" shifted
Mira. That Ernest Paynter was the
real mascot"
HE was wonderfully good" said Ger
trude, softly, as she moved the ladder
over to the chandelier.
That's what he was,' was the en-
phatic response. Gertrude. when you
get married, I want you to marry a
man like Ernest Paynter."
"Yes. ma'am," Gertrude answered
| dutifuily.
| II made my mistake when married