Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-02-18

we'll as some cookies all of her own
making; to which she had added a
dozen fresh eggs.
Jesse had thoughtfully remember
ed Frances also, with red apple
and two sticks of striped candy,
which proved to be very acceptable
offerings for they were graciously re-
ceived by the young lady with many
protestations of enjoyment. Also
with certain curious twitchings of
the mouth and sly expressions of the
eyes, with which Jesse was greatly
delighted.
Say, Jesse! amt you got no papa?"
she asked amt seen him, where
is he?"
my papa went away Q more'n a
million miles over the prairie to get
rich, finding gold somewhere" he
answered, with more thought than
his words implied.
"Oh my! million miles, why
that's more'n two hundred miles, he
never could go that far all his life, :"
she exclaimed-"say mamma, Jesse
says his papa went million miles
across the prairie to find gold he
couldn't go a million miles, could he
mammal"
Without replying to her doubling
daughter, Mrs. Armstrong turned
toward Mrs. Badleigh with an en-
curing look, to which that lady re-
sponded with full account of ev-
erything of Importance that had
transpired since they had left Ten
nessee, including the mysterious ap-
pearance of Jesse and the death of
her husband.
From a remark you made last
night we received the impression
that you had not intended to make
this place your home, but that you
were expecting to move to some place
farther n,"-said John Armstrong
land if that is really your inten-
ton, it would be pleasure to us if
you and your little boy would join
us, we are heading for village two
or three years old, which is probably
hundred and fifty miles or so
northwest of mere. We can make
you quite comfortable; our wagon,
as you see, is roomy and not heavily
loaded, we shall remain here day
or two longer; in the meantime you
can think over the matter and if you
conclude,-as we hope you will-to
go with us, why you can make your
plans accordingly"
You are very good, Mr.. Arm
strong, she made answer. "Since
my husbands death / have only been
waitin' for chance to go on with
some party, it don't much matter
where we go now, one place is as
good as another; I aim to buy some
land and if l cant work it myself,
/ can hold it till Jesse is old enough
to help which wont be long now, SO
lif you-all feel that me and my boy
wont be too much of a drag on you,
will thankfully accept your kind
offer and go along with you gladly"
agreed Mrs. B4dleigh.
Thus it came to pass that she and
her Jesse became members of the
Armstrong party which proved to be
! happy arrangement for both fami-
! lies. In due time they all bid fare
well to the Mississippi and proceed
ed on their journey to the point
where they were to set their stakes"
as John Armstrong expressed it
and become factors in the new and
aspiring village, which had already
assumed the high-sounding title
CITY"
| 1t was not without many express
sions of regret ON the part of Mrs.
Feedwell's boarders and many tears
on the part of the lady herself that
with real sorrow, adieus were said
and the two women finally, after
several attempts, parted with each
other never to meet again. on earth
they declared ana indeed they so be-
lieved.
CHAPTER V.
There is at the present time, in the
northeastern corner of the state of
Iowa, something over ten leagues
westward from the Father of Wat
ers," as the crow flies, thriving lit
tie city of approximately four thou
sand people, nesting in the natural
beauty of it's surroundings among
the hills of what has been felicitous-
ly termed by eminent authority, 1.-The
Switzerland of Iowa" This fair
western town depending on the UNI
dulating surface of it's site which is
dotted with oak and elm and maple
and evergreen, making grateful
shade along its avenues and vying
with one another in generous offers
to the gray squirrel and to every
Ifeathered songster that would build
his bower in the shelter of their TO-
liage while he trills his song from