Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-04-09

Walter hailed its appearance with Joy.
AT all events it promised protection from
the weather. and the people who occu
pied it 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
fearlessiy 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 a not par
ticularly musical voice was heard from
within:
is that you, Jack 2"
NO" answered Walter, sit isn't Jack"
His voice was probably recognized as
that of a 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withdrawn, and the door opening, reveal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
~, keeping the door partly closed.
Il am a book agent" said Walter.
DO you expect to sell any books here?
asked the woman, with grim humor.
NO" said Walter, but I have been
caught in the storm, and lost my way
Can | stop here over night if the storm
should hold on?''
This isn't a tavern" said the woman,
ungraciously.
mo, 1 suppose not" said Walter; hut
it will be a favor to me if you will take
me in, and 1 will pay you whatever you
think right. | 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 very agreeable place to
stop at.
There's one five miles off," said the
woman.
That's too far to go in such weather
Ii you'll let me stay here, | will pay you
whatever you ask in advance"
"Humph"' said the woman, doubtful
ly, Il don't know how Jack will like it,
As Walter could know nothing of the
sentiments of the Jack referred to, he re-
manned 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 tl4v-
elers."
Il will try not to give you much trou-
ble," 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
it was expressed, for his clothes were
pretty we'll saturated by the rain. There
was no stove, but an old brick fireplace,
on which two stout logs were burning.
| There was one convenience, at least, about
| living in the woods-fuel was abundant
and required nothing but the labor of cut
ting it.
Il think I'll take off my Shoes" said
Walter.
You can if you want to- said his grim
| hostess.
He extended his wet feet toward the
| fire, and felt a sense of comfort stealing
over him. He could hear the rain fall
| ing iercely against the sides of the cauin.
and felt glad that he was not compelled
to stand the brunt of the storm.
He looked around him guardedly, not
wishing to let his hostess see that he was
doing so, for she looked like one who
might easily be offended. The room seem
ed remarkably bare of furniture. There
was an implanted table, and there were
also three chairs, one of which had lost
its back. These were plain wooden chairs
and though they appeared once to have
been painted, few vestiges of the original
paint now remained. On a shelf were =
few articles of tin, but no articles OF
crockery were visible, except two cracked
cups. Walter had before this visited the
dwellings of the poor, but he had never
seen a home so poorly provided with
what are generally regarded as the neces
| saries of life.
81 wonder what Lem would say if he
should see me now" thought Walter his
thoughts going back to the Essex CLASH
cal Institute, and the friend whose studies
he shared. They seemed far away, hose
days of careless happiness, when as ye
the burdens of life wer unfelt and scarce
ly even dreamed Of Did Walter slgl
for their return? | think not, except OF
one account. His father was then alive
and he would have given years of his OWL
life to recall that loved parent from til,
grave. But do not think he would hav,
cared, for the present at least, to Civ,
up his business career. humble though i
was, and so back to his studies. He en-
joyed the novelty of his position. H.
enjoyed even his present adventure, il
spite of the discomforts that attended It
and there was something exciting in look
ing about him, and realizing that he wa
a guest in a rough cabin in the midst o
the woods, a thousand miles away from
home.
Guarded as he had been in iookin.
around him, it did not escape withol
observation.
We'll. young man. this is a poor place
isn't it?'' asked the woman suddenly.
II don't know" said Walter, wishinl
to be polite.
That's what you're thinking. I'll war
rant" said the woman. We'll, yon'-,
not obliged to stay, if you don't wan
to-
but l do want to. and am yer,
much Obliged to YOU for conserving f,
take me-" said Walter, hastily.
You said you would pay in advance,
said the woman.
so l WILL" said Walter. taking on
his pocketbook, IF you will tell me hov
much l am to pay.
You may give me dollar" said tn
woman.
Walter drew out roll of bills, and
finding a one-dollar note. handed it l,
the woman.
She took it, glancing GENEROUSLY at tn
remaining money which he replaced in hi