Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-02-25
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD.

tied down IN the pillowed depths OF a
wicker veranda chair.
MARY" he addressed his wife, short
~, have an ideal
Mrs. HARRISON glanced up from her
embroidery hoop. "Yes?" she inquired.
calmly.
II haven't had a vacation for ten
years--and I'm going to take one to-
morrow" He spoke with determined
air.
His wife gasped. "But the Lathrop
deal,' she reminded him, you'll lose
it If you leave town. Where were you
thinking Of going?"
Mr. HARRISON coughed. Mary" he
said, impressively, you and the girls
are always having vacations-and I'm
going for one if lose every cent I've
got
John" his wife rebuked
II am" he continued, recklessly.
"T'm going down to Wellsford (the
town I was born i'm and I'm going to
take you and the girls along"
"Will you go in the automobile?"
she ventured.
mo-" was the laundering response,
well take the train like any other
person would"
Mrs. Harbison's lips closed tightly.
Every WELL John Harbison,' she
snapped, well go. But I tell you right
now it's the biggest piece of nonsense
| ever heard Of" And with toss OF
her head she swept into the house.
For the first time in four years, the
HARRISON family breakfasted together.
John HARRISON presided at the head
Of the table and his smiling counte-
nance looked like that of a schoolbOy
out for a holiday. Mrs. HARRISON at
the other end of the table assumed the
airs of the Sphinx Marthea, the elder
daughter, perused, in silence, the
mornings mail; while her sister Helen
jabbed sulkily at the strawberries,
Breakfast, however, was but matter
of minutes, and 8 O'Clock found the
HARRISON family at the station,
"There's Bob SGnderson, announced
Helen, almost joyfully, he'll be de-
lighted to have me sit with him. And
speedily she deserted the family. Mrs.
HARRISON andMarthea straightWay pro-
ceeded to discuss dressmakers in gen
eral, and after a few unsuccessful at
tempts to enter into the conversation,
John HARRISON betoOk himself to the
smoking car. Not until the station
had been called did he return, and
then it was in company with farmer
In rusty black suit, whom he intro
duced as Bud Misner, his old friend"
Mrs. HarbisOn's acknowledgment
was frigidly chilling; that of Marthea's
courteous, but distant; while Helen
and her companion were utterly in
different
When they alighted from the train
1t was Marthea who spoke first.
Mother and | will go over to the
hotel and you and Mr., Misner may
roam about to your hearts content
mo YOU won't said her father with
sudden asperity, I'VE are all going
over to Buds farm. His teams waiting
over there"
But" began Helen.
"Have your friend Mr.-Mr.-Sand-
stone come along" interrupted Mr..
Misner
Helen giggled, but seemed satisfied.
After a short delay the family were
seated in the farm wagon and they
started on their way.
1t was a late spring, and the fruit
trees were still in blossom; every
where. as far as the eye could see,
was a profusion of flowers. Gradually
Mrs, HARRISON and Marthea relaxed
and were soon chatting comfortably
with Mr. Mfsner.
Mrs. Misner was at the door when
they drove IN, and although she was
not expecting company, she gave them
a hearty we bome.
Mother" said Bud Misner by way
of explanation, this is Johnny Harbl-
son and his family"
"Well, I declare" said Mrs. Mlsner,
heartily. Come right in all of you"
She turned with smile to Mrs. Harb1-
son. ''Do you know" she said. i've
ALWAYS been anxious to see you Why,
when you were married, your husband
wrote a letter to Bud-and all he says
was-Married today, and my Wlte,s
as pretty as little red wagon, Ana
he amt exaggerated none either" she
finished admiringly. And Mrs. Harbi'
son was her friend for life.
AS they were talking a tall, we'll
built young man came up the path,
and sakes," exclaimed Mrs Mlsner,
'there's our boarder, the civil engineer
that's buildin' the new railroad. 1t
must be time for dinner Bud, intro
duce him to the people" And with
few hasty apologies she left them.
Rut Dave Chambers, the engineer,
needed no introductions, as it turned
out-for he was an old admlrer OF
Marthea's and was welcomed gladly
by that young lady and her family
AS fate would have it, because OF some
late reports, he was free for the AFTER
noon.
After the hearty noon dinner the
four young people betook themselves
for a walk, Mrs. HARRISON and MIS-
Nisner read and sewed in the grape
vineyard, and the two old frlenos
drove over to see the village. And thus
the entire afternoon was whlled away
That evening as they drove TO the
little station Marthea and Dave Cham-
hers. who sat on the back seat, looked
very contented and happy, as did the
rest of the party. AS they neared the