Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-06-15

bdCh utOI. before Inc mousse Is
long line of naples and beyond them
a great meadow commanding miles OF
beautiful river valley and far blue
hills. When told Mrs Ayre that my
name was just Jean she asked me if
were Scotch. OF course there could
not be the least harm in my looking
blank and saying didn't know, and it
was too funny to see that she immedi
ately set me down as below the cattle
on the place which are all pedigreed
or blue ribboned, or something highly
respectable. Don't worry about John
Ofallwork He has not looked at me
since he took my trunk check at the
station.
Her next letter was less eheerfuIly
enthusiastic:
Up at $50 and by night would not
own farm for a millions dollars, they
make one work so. But next morning
when ! see the dew diamonds on the
grass blades, the bees in the morning
glories and the mist rolling off up the
valley then there's nothing so beautt
ful as farm AMI l must own one
Mrs Ayre is kind, but such worker
Dea Ayre, strict, silent man, but
they try and teach me things, plying
my stupidity. My little joke really
makes it easier to keep my spirits up,
but / may as well confess that I've
been mournfully homesick. How John
Ofalwork knew that l was so tired and
dreary is a mystery. But he did, for
one morning | found a bunch of lovely
wild roses on my bread board and
knew that they grew by the pasture
bars. He also began being on hand
to pump the water and to lift the milk
cans out of the tank and l have not
been so tired since. But | am very
discreet and anyhow he is so shy that
a straight glance at a girl might cause
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 was
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 a letter which Laura
read with solicitouo 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 her
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 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 ! noticed it, he
laughed and said he was good for il
and it was good for him.
Being a son always ready to do
what is expected of him, he picks up
Elsas handkerehiefs, takes her down
for the evening mail. helps her over
the brook moves her hammock about,
and even tries 10 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 roor thing
he 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--wen. Laura.
you have had your experience, so You
know how a girl feels when she sees a
mans whole soul shining in his
eyes as he looks down at her.
l don't know how long we stood
there. I trembling a little with
surprise OF finding such possibili-
ties in ordinary human beings. But
suddenly Mrs. Ayre's voice called
sharply from the back door. John. / |
want a pail Of water immediately.
She was plainly very angry. but John
did not move. yes, mother he said