Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-06-09
lean and Laura

. bars. He also, began being on hant
to pump the water and to lift the mill
cans out OF the tank and | have no
} been SO tired since. But l am yer.
discreet and anyhow he is so shy tina
a straight glance at a girl might caus,
him to swoon.
No letters after this told of tired
muscles and hard work, but all was {
lively record of her growing knowl
edge OF stock raising, poultry feeding
and dairy management She wa:
growing so stout and strong, Mrs
Ayre trusted her with all the butter
making. John Overall found innum
cradle ways of helping, which no one
noticed.
Then came letter which Laura
read with solicitous misgivings:-
Mrs Ayre has a guest named Elsa
Ross, vivacious little fiirt, all style
and piguancy. She has all sorts OF
dainty things to wear, and sits next
John at table, who has been made to
understand that he is to look after he1
needs. Probably you have already
guessed that John OVERALL is the
Ayres' son and darling. Yes, truly the
very joy of their hearts, though they
expect him to work early and late with
never a taste Of recreation. The dea-
con, who has a rheumatic leg, drives
to post-office, mill, market, town
meetings and auctions. John mows
reaps, feeds, harnesses, paints, rakes
and prunes. When I noticed it, he
laughed and said he was good for it
and it was good for him.
Being son always ready to do
what is expected of him, he picks up
Elsa's handkerchiefs, takes her down
for the evening mail, helps her over
the brook. moves her hammock about
and even tries to learn lawn tennis to
please her.
DO you want to know how Mrs
Ayre happens to ask her brothers
ward to visit her at this busy season
John brought little wounded bird
one day and laid it in my hand. and
while | stood patting the noor thing
ne remained near, silent, as is his
wont. We were under the grape vine
at the back door, and suddenly | hap
pened to look up and-well. Laura
you have had your experience, so you
know how girl feels when she sees a
mans whole soul shining in his
eyes as he looks down at her
don't know how long we stood
there, | trembling a little with
surprise of finding such possible.
ties in ordinary human beings. But
suddenly Mrs. Ayres voice called
sharply from the back door, John, ]
want pail of water immediately, p
She was plainly very angry, but John
did not move. yes, mother" he said
! quietly, and then waited to tell me
that he would get a covered basket
for the wounded bird. He even lol
tered to smooth it's feathers with one
of his big fingers, as it lay in nv
hands.
Mrs Ayre wrote her invitation to
Elsa Ross that evening. She Is a
woman who would know exactly what
to do if She found the house on fire,
and | suppose that Bellayre homestead
in flames would not wiring her heart
much more cruelty than what she saw
that afternoon under her peaceful
grape arbOr.
The main part of Jeans next letter
was all about barn dance, which
Elsa had made shining success, and
Laura took what she could out OF
some replies to questions she had
, asked
No do not repent me of my
masquerade. To confess; it would be
TO rob the good Mrs Ayre of her sum
mer's satisfaction over having made
a fine poultry and dairy maid out OF
a poor girl taken out of foundry Stag
heap. Yes, she doubtless would feel
more reconciled to Johns infatuation
If she knew l had twenty thousand
in my own right, but am | the girl to
buy anyone's favor with money? Elsa
has little property, enough to build
for herself and John a pleasant house
in the big meadow across the street
Oh, as to looks, John is six foot, sun
burned and homely, but he has the
kindest brown eyes, and gentle ways
with cattle and dumb creatures, that
belong to strong and quiet people
Yes, the boarders seem to think that
Elsa's heart is in the Irritation this
time, but of course nobody knows.
After that Laura went about with a
prayer in her heart that her little
Jean might not miss any good life was
offering her" Letters told little, but
one day important news went flying
from the little foundry village to Bell
ayre farm, and Jean was the one &c
read with tears and anxiety
A neighbor wrote: Laura says we
are not on any account to let you