Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-12-26
BALLOON
No. 7
1t Clears Away the
Cloud
By CLARISSA MACKIE


vacation, and the last hours Of the
school year dragged heavily, for June
weather was insistently calling. Her
homeward walk led along pleasant
country lanes aud through clover fields
crisscrosscd with narrow footpaths
In Maisio's pocket was her last
months salary, and in spite Of June
weather and the calling bobolink her
heart was heavy with disappointment,
though her face wore Its usual express
sion Of unruncd sweetness. just the
amount OF that months salary would
take her to II large summer resort,
where she might have two weeks Of
such enjoyment ms she had never known
in her m0nOtonous life She had read
Of the pleasures of this city by the sea,
she had known girls whose parents
were well to do to spend several months
there, and now ella Shnw had written
to say they were going and wished
Maisic to join them. IT was to be
"Dutch treat" and she knew that
meant each girl was to pay her own ex-
penses.
She had not even mentioned the mat
err to her mother, for she knew that
their resources were badly strained this
year. There was an uncle who had
been bedridden for two years, and they
were now maintaining his declining
days I'm the hospital. where he could be
best cared for As Maisie was the only
wage Garner in their family of two, 1t
was important-pr ohibltlve, rather
that not one penny he wasted,
"If Bloomfield were not 50 dull" she
murmured wlstfully, Ever since
cnn remember there has never been
any unusual happening here. No new
families ever move here, and nobody
ever mnrries anybody That lives farther
than Fnirmount. | don't wonder there
are no many maiden ladies' In this vii
lage" She smiled as she pushed open
the front gate, for there ON the front
piazza snt her mother. dispensing cake
and root beer to five of Rloomlcld's
spinsters Some day she too. would
form one of similar group.
Lots of news, Maisic." cried Emma
step and slipped II glass of the cool
beverage.
"Ncws2" repeated Maisie: then she
added quickly: "Oh, you menn the new
fagpole In front of the town hall?
saw that yesterday"
"No. indeed: that's old! What do
you think Is going to happen In Bloom
ALL I'm la u.ith
portance, and the four other spinsters
nodded their hends significantly.
"A~~circusY There were painfully
few things that ever had happened In
Bloomfield. and Maisies Imagination
was starved.
mo, sir! What do you think OF bal
loon races hereT' Miss Risley's voice
was triumphant.
Balloon races?" echoed MalsIe
blankly,
"Ten balloons all starting Mt once
from Cabots big hayneldr'
"When Is 1t going to be?" asked
Malsie
"1n three weeks. The men have
been here and looked over the grounds,
and the lumber Is on the way. All
the rooms ut the hotel have been en-
gagged for the work men. You see,
knew about II the first one because
hold first mortgage on CahotS big
field" explained Emma Risey impor-
family. "and Joshua Cabot spoke to me
about the matter"
When they had chatted themselves
away Mnisie and her mother sat on
the piazza until the sun went down,
They talked about the coming OF the
balioonists and how 1t had been learned
that Bloomfield was chosen because
of some special advantage II possessed
for the purpose, and everybody said
that once the city eXcurslonists saw
what beautiful spot Bloomfield really
was there would start nm influx of
summer hoNrders and possibly land
boom
Mother, dear" half sighed MaISie.
81 was complaining this very afternoon
OF the dullness here, and as | walked
home through Cahot's field was wish
Ing almost anything would happen to
break the monotouy. Now that some
thing Is going to happen | am feeling
sorry about the clover fields. They are
so beautiful"
Mrs, Pomeroy laughed softly and
caressed her daughters bronze hair
'"Thats the way with all of MS, my
dear, | have known for long time
that you Were weary of the monotony
OF your life and | cannot blame YOU
When | was II girl somehow we seem
ed to get more out of life even IL we
never went away from the village
There were parties every week and
socials and spelling classes and skating
parties The winter was always too
short for all the good times we had
Nowadays the girls aud young men go
away to the cities, and those that re-
main and marry here don't seem to
care for the old simple pleasures"
Perhaps after the balloon races are
over we will rejoice in our old time
quiet But somehow would like to
bave just taste OF life and pleasure
befOrph- MaiSie flushed and bit hnr