Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-01-26
CHAPTER l.


gray mist drifting and sailing eastward
over a low-lying island was beginning to
scatter a thin. penetrating drizzle on the
driver of the Caravan.
To right and left of the highway
stretched bleak and bare prospect of
marshand and moorland, closed to the
west by sky of ever-deepening redneSs,
and relieved here and there by black
clumps of stunted woodland. Here and
there peeped a solitary farm house, with
outlying fields of swampy greenness,
where lean and spectral cattle were lugu-
briously grazing and ever and anon came
a glimpse of some lonely lake or tarn,
fringed all round with thick sedges, and
dotted with water lilies. The road was
as desolate as the prospect, with not a
living soul upon it, far as the eye could
see. To all this however, the driver of
the Caravan paid little attention, owing
to the simple fact that he was fast asleep.
He was reused by sudden jolting and
swaying of the clumsy vehicle, combined
with sound of splashing water; and,
opening his eyes sleepily, he perceived
that the gray mare had turned aside from
the center of the road, and, having placid
ly entered a stagnant pond on the road
side, was foundering and struggling In the
mud thereof, with the Caravan rocking
behind her. At the same moment, head
was thrust round the back part of the
vehicle, and an angry voice exclaimed
Tim, you scoundrel, where are you
driving TO? Wake up, or I'll break every
bone in your skin"
Thus addressed, Tim woke himself with
an effort, and, looking round with an in
sinuating smile, replied:
Master Charles, | thought it was an
earthquake entirely Come out of that
now Is it wanting to drownd yourself
you are2 G-r-r-r! Sh! Easy now,
easy !"
The latter portion of the above sentence
was addressed to the mare, which was at
last persuaded TO wade out of the cool
mud, and return to the dusty track. where
she stood quivering and painting. No soon
err was the return to terra frma accom-
plished, than a light, agile figure descend
ed the steps at the back of the Caravan
and ran round to the front. An excited
colloQuy, angry on the one side, and apollo
getiC on the other, ensued and did not
cease. even when the driver, with a flick
of his whip, pGt the Ccfavan again in mo-
ton, while the other strobe alongside on
foot.
1t was just such Caravan as may be
seen any summer day forming part of the
camp on an English common, with the
swart face of a gypsy woman looking out
at the door, and half dozen ragged imps
and elves rolling on the grass beneath;
as may be observed. smothered in wicker
Of Il.
and pans, moving from door to door in
some sleepy country town, guided by
gloomy gentleman in velveteen coat and
a hare-skin cap, and ATTENDED by
brawny woman. also smothered in wicker
work or pots and pans; as. Furthermore.
may be deserted forming part of the pro-
eession of travelling circus. and drawn
BY piebald horse which, whenever a
good pitch is found, WIFI complete its
days labor by performances in the ring.
A Caravan of the good old English kind:
with small windows. ornamented by white
muslin curtains, with q chimney atop for
the smoke to come through from the FIRE
inside; with a door behind, ornameuted
with knocker. and only lacking a door
plate to make it quite complete; in short.
a House on Wheels.
The driver, though rough enough. and
red with sun and wind. had nothing In
common with the ordinary drivers of such
vehicles, and, in point Of fast, he was
neither a gypsy nor a travelling tinker,
nor a circus performer. Though il was
summer time, he wore large frieze coat.
descending almost to his heels, and on his
head wideawake hat-underneath which
his lazy, beariless and somewhat sheepiSh
face shone with indolent good humor. His
companion. Master Charles. as be was
called. >bore still less resemblance to the
Bohemians Of English lanes and wood
lands. He was slight. handsome. fair
haired young fellow, of two or three and
twenty, in the tweed attire of an ordinary
summer tourist, and every movement he
made. every word he spoke. implied the
gentleman born"
Presently. at signal from his master
Tim drew rein again. BY this time the
sun was setting fiery nd far away TO the
west. and the thin drizzle was becoming
more persistent.
How far did they say it was to Pen
eroesT''
",ren miles, sir"
",The mare is tired out. l think. We
shall have to camp by the roadside.
"All right Master Charles. There's e
handy shelter beyant there where you see
the trees" Tim added pointing up the
road with his whip. The young man lock
ed in that direction, and saw, about &
quarter Of a mile away. thar the highway
entered a dark clump Of woodland. de
nodded assent. and walked rapidly for
ward. while the Caravan followed slowly
In his rear.
Reaching the point where the wood be
ran, and entering the shadow Of the trees
q sQpp found q spot Wslis lifted for his