Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-27

Mrs. Stanton went out to her com
Portable kitchen to make arrange
meutg for her husbands expected re
turn from his 25-mile drive as a rural
carrier. His route strated from
beautiful old New England town,
GUNNER resort for some very rlch
peoDle, many of whom were likewise
the descendants of long lines Of Colo
niaI ancestry. And there never were,
IN the face of the earth, people OF
more absolutely exclusive pride Of
family than these New England de-
gcendants Of the old families. North
Lea claimed many of them, and their
summer homes were on Elm street,
whose double rows of old elms gave
the street it's name. At its head stood,
on one side, the tree whereon notices
of all kinds had been posted from
time imlnemorial; on the other side
lowered from spreading roots the
WhipDfng-Dost elm, where much had
been done and witnessed Of primitive
Justice or at least discipline, in days
long past.
Half way toward the depot going
down Main street you come to Pine
street. This is very modern. Here
live the comfortable people who keep
the stores and conduct the business,
generally speaking, Of North Lea,
There are many pretty homes and
many prosperous families on Pine
street; but the tone is quite different
from that Of Elm street-Oh, quite
different! Still it's a nice street to live
on.
But if you watned to hire man to
see to your garden or a woman to do
your washing you went still further
down Main street to a narrow street
of oldish, one and a-haf and two story
houses branching off on the left. This
is Taylor street, and here the Stan
tons lived, and a good barn and a
large. garden and a comfortable old
house for a rent much less than would
have been possible on Pine street
For the rural mail carrier that is a
great consideration, in view Of the
small amount on which our benevo
lent government considers it possible
to support two horses and a family
The horses are mentioned just adVis
edIy, as their needs swallow up most
OF the salary and the family subsists
as well as it can. on what is left.
Summer is beautiful in rural New
England. Forest crowned hills, rush
C1y
peaceful white farm homes, all con
tribute to the sense Of satisfaction
which one experiences in ridiaa
through the land. But Mr.. and Mrs
Stanton found summer very short in
their dread of the winter-the hard
cruel winter Less than half the year
is left when winter is over and done
in North Lea, and then they felt the
threat of next winter even through the
dancing of the summer leaves.
But on the afternoon of which
speak the world lay wrapped in the
white robes Of mid-January. The
morning had been pleasant, but soon
after her two daughters had gone to
school for the second session Of the
day Mrs. Stanton saw the storm begin
and gradually thtcken.
Her. heart sank In spirit she was
with her husband as the sIeety snow
,harpIy across his face. Il wish
Richard had worn his fur coat" she
moaned to herself. And here is the
flannel for his chest He'll surely be
sick tonight"
Then came all possible preparations
for his comfort in the midst Of which
Kate and Nell, rosy-cheeked and
broathless, rushed in from school
Quick, mamma, here's a letter from
Walter and picture of the baby
Isn't he a darling?"
Anything from Bart?"
mo"
II wish he'd give up the struggle to
get through college and come home
and help, so your father needn't work
so hard"
mo you don't Ma Stanton. Walter
has his education and Bart must have
chance. And III soon be through
Just think, only a little over a year
and then Miss Katharine Stanton will
be a high school graduate and can
teach, and then poor old dad shall
have 1t easier"
TITS too hard for man Of his age
to be out in all weathers. Put away
the letter and picture, girls, and come
out and help me I believe III make
a hot apple pie for your fathers sup
per"
The pie had just gone into the oven
when Mrs. Stanton, glancing up
caught sight of her husbands vehicle
through the slant lines of snow. But
he would not be in yet awhile. There
were the barn chores to be done.
Quick, girls, fly around! Nell, pu
in another stick or two. Kate, viii
you thicken the gravy? I suppose YOU
put salt into the potatoes"
why. of course, ma, long ago. Yol
mustn't get nervous. should thinl
Nell could help you now and let me
study. There's an old terror Of a Wiz
gil lesson and physics and"
NO! you must think of your poo
father, half sick and frozen with the
cold. I want you both On hand to SET
to him"
At last he came in just as Mrs
Stanton began to feel that she coult
no longer endure the strain of sus
pense. He was laden with wet coat
and blankets; but Unexpectedly cheer