The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

But no matter how heavy her heart
or how dark the outlook. only smiles
and cheering words were given the
children. II is indeed a pleasure to
listen to the events and happenings
of those early days. and when Grand
ma Kraus recalls, as she does each
birthday, "reminiscences extending
over the past so years, IL seems like
tale from some far-a-way fairy time.
full of bright, joyous days, filled with
kindly deeds which makes Joy a
duty and love a law" While the past
holds many cherished recollections,
grandma does not live I'm the past, for
her alert mind and clear brain keep
abreast with the times, and keep in
touch with her daily readings with the
happenings I'm our own and foreign
lands. When not reading her nimble
fingers are busily engaged I'm making
beautiful laces for her loved Ones.
She is enjoying splendid health for
one of her years and appears scarce
" a day older than she did year
! ago. That she may be spared and
live to enjoy many more birthdays Is
the wish OF a legion of friends here
and elsewhere. A big dinner. was an
event of the day. Grandma seated
at the head OF the table surrounded
: by her family and grandchildren,
made a fine picture.
A letter from Miss May Cornish,
who is spending few weeks with her
sister Mrs. Bonnie McElmeel and
Mrs. Vesta Armstrong on their
-, oil
heavy hail storm of that week which
destroyed everything in its wake.
The McElmeels, who have proved up
on their claim. had their entire wheat
, crop, which was nearly ready to har-
vest. completely destroyed with the
exception of few acres which will be
cut for hay. A bountiful harvest was
expected. wheat average was expected
to be 40 bushels. Mrs. Armstrong
and Miss Cornish were driving home
from town. and were only few rods
from the house when the storm over
took them. so they escaped its fury.
The horses got lose from the buggy.
but were found after two day" search
unhurt with the exception of a few
cuts, got by jumping fences. Mrs. Arm
strong who before her marriage was
one Of Minnesota's prominent edu-
Gators and widely known throughout
the state. is enjoying ranch life on her
claim i'm Montana. She and her hus-
band erected coZy bungalow from
plans taken from The Ladies
Home Journal Mrs. Armstrong
gracefully presides as queen. cook
chief gardner. dairy maid and
is thoroughly enjoying the novelty
and freedom found on a Montana
ranch. Her husband is in business i'm
Great Falls and frequently spends the
week lend in the country. Mrs. Arni-
strong. while holding her claim. will
teach the neighboring village school
the coming year, driving to and from
school daily. Though a small school
the wages are excellent The school
board were indeed fortunate i'm being
able to secure the services Of Mrs
Armstrong who is "a college bred
woman with an enviable record as an
instructor and wide experience. She
has travelled extensively through the
United States and toured Europ,
several times during the past ten
years.
| y
miles North OF Vernon Center will
sell at public auction Thursday after
noon, beginning at 10 o'clock. 90 head
of milch cows. This will be splendid
opportunity for farmers to increase
and build up their dairy herds, as the
cattle are n high grade stock. w. J.
Richter. cashier at the State bank
will be clerk. G.. l.. Fitch. auctioneer
I w. J. Richter has purchased from
Bowen and son. five passenger
Studebaker car He with his wife and
son made the initial run to Mapleton
Sunday. but rain prevented their re-
turn, so w. ]. looped the loop via
Mankato arriving home on the noon
train Monday. We believe Mr.. Rich
ter has made a grave mistake In not
keeping his "Trusty Ford" as he al
ways used to get home, for rain or
snow, the Ford rambles along.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Mertersdori
and children were rained I'm at Maple
ton Sunday. They returned by train
as far as Good Thunder. and were met
by the hired man and drove across
country to their home.
Mrs. Gardner and her little grand
daughter. Vera of St. Francis, Mimi,
ERE visiting Vernon Center friends
Mrs. Gardner forp,rely lived here.
Velvet chaff wheat, barley and earIy
oats are ripe. Many were expecting
to start harvest Monday morning. but
the downpour OF Sunday continuing
until this Tuesday afternoon. with no
visible sign of abating. has beaten the
most optimistic people into complete
detection. There has never been a
time when future prospects were SO
gloomy, all small grain Is fiat. the ex-
cessive moisture in the ground makes
II impossible for the grain TO come up.
II the fields can be gotten into by the
binders, all grain will have to be cut
one way. The cold wet weather has
knocked the life out OF the corn fields.
which appear to be standing still. II
European war is causing all this
trouble, we believe Il is the time for
intervention, and President Wilson
to demand a halt at once IL not
sooner.
Robert Gray, eldest son OF Mr.. and
Mrs. A. c. Gray, is celebrating his
tenth birthday by giving a party to
the boys In his Sunday School class.
Seventeen boys are present.
j. ]. Flachsenhar of Mankato was a
business visitor I'm Vernon Saturday.
While here he was a guest of Mrs.
Louer.
I Mrs A r AheII and her daupbtar