Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-04-24
-MA


with the addition of soma woton - "u'
80 near oy' made a very acceptable
"hen he resumed his walk after
ns couple of hours, the weather had
enoneeu' In the morning it was BRIGHT
NOW the clouds had gathered
anu storm seemed imminent. To naka
matters worse, Walter had managed to
S'ray Ifom the road. He found himsaIf
waking IN narrow lane lined on either
sue by thick woods. Soon the rain came
patterIng down, at first in small drons
out quickly poured down in a drench;no
shower Walter took refuge in the woods
cohgratuIatlng himself that he had sold
the books, which otherwise would ,ave
run the risk of being spoiled.
wish there were some house nearby
III winch L could rest" thought Walter,
Lie prospect OF being benighted in the
WOODS IN such weather was far from
| pleasant
Looking around anxiously. he espied
small tootpath, which he followed. honino
but hardly expecting. that if might Load
10 some place of refuge. To his agree
| able surprise he emerged after . few min
utes INTO small clearing, perhaps half
an acre IN extent, in the middle of which
was rough cabin 1t was strange
place for house, but, rude as it was,
waiter hailed its appearance with ioy.
AZ all events it promised protection from
the weather, and the people who cccu-
PIED 1t would doubtless be willing to give
him, for pay, of course supper and Iodg-
| ing. Probably the accommodations would
not be first class, but our hero was pre-
pared to take what he could get. and be
thankful for it. Accordingly he advanced
| tearlessly and pounded on the door with
| his fist, as there was neither bell nor
| knocker
The door not being opened Immediately,
he pounded again. This time not par
tlcularly musical voice was heard from
within:
is that you, Jack?'
NO" answered Walter, SIT isn't Jack"
His voice was probably recognized as
that of boy, and any apprehension that
might have been felt by the person with
IN was dissipated. Walter heard a bolt
withdrawn, and the door opening reveal
ed tall, gaunt, bony woman, who eyed
him in manner which could not be con-
sidered very friendly or cordial.
'Who are you?" she demanded abrupt
ly, keeping the door partly closed.
Il am book agent said Walter
DO you expect to sell any books here?'
asked the woman, with grim humor.
NO." said Walter, but l have been
caught in the storm, and lost my way.
Can I stop here over night if the storm
should hold onY'
''This isn't a tavern" said the woman,
ungraciously.
mo, l suppose not said Walter but
it will be favor to me if you will take
me in, and l will pay you whatever you
think right. l suppose there is no tavern
nearby"
He half hoped there might be, for he
had already made up his mind that this
would not be a very agreeable place to
stop at.
There's one five miles off," said the
woman.
"That's too far to so in such weather
If you'll let me stay here, | will pay you
whatever you ask in advance"
| "Humph - said the woman, doubtful
ly, 81 don't know how Jack will like it,
As Walter could know nothing of the
sentiments of the Jack referred to, he re-
NAMED silent, and waited for the woman
to make up her mind, believing that she
would decide in his favor. He proved to
be right.
WELL" she said half unwillingly, Il
don't know but I'll take you in, though
it isn't my custom to accommodate tllv-
elers.''
81 will try not to give you much trou-
BILE" said Walter, relieved to find that
he was sure of food and shelter.
| "Humph - responded the woman.
She led he way into the building,
which appeared to contain two rooms on
the first floor, and probably the same
number of chambers above. There was
no entry. but the door opened at once
into the kitchen.
"Come up to the fire if you're wet"
said the woman.
The invitation was hospitable, but the
| manner was not However, Walter was
Glad TO accept the invitation, without
thinking too much of the manner in which
| = was expressed, for his clothes were
nrottv we'll saturated by the rain. There
| was no stove. but an old brick fireplace,
ON which two stout logs were burning.
rrborn was one convenience, at least, about
living in the woods-fueI was abundant.
and required nothing but the labor of cut
ting it.
II think I'll take off my Shoes said
| Walter.
You can if you want to- said his grim
| hostess. 49,
He extended his wet feet toward the
fire and felt a sense of comfort stealing
over him. He could hear the ram ran
inc fercely against the sides of the choln
and felt glad that he was not compeiieu
to stand the brunt of the storm
He looked around him guardedly' NOT
wishing to let his hostess see that ne was
doing so, for she looked like one VINO
MIGHT easily be offended. The room seem
cd remarkably bare of furniture. lhere
was an implanted table, and there were
also three chairs, one of which had iost
;ts back. These were plain wooden chars
and though they appeared once TO nave
been painted, few vestiges OF the original
naint now remained On shelf were
few articles of tin, but no articles ol