Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-07-12


scalding water into the churn.
She shook it around until it
had touched every spot, emptied it,
and very deity, without splitting
drop, poured in the cream.
Humming happily, she adjusted the
dasher and lid, pushed the churn
little nearer the window, from which
she could see far down the road, and
paused, listening.
Yes, the baby was awake and cry
ing.
She rocked him until he was in
good humor, engaged him in building
blocks, far enough away from his sis
ters, who were playing house, to avoid
disagreement, and returned TO the
chUrning.
AS she worked the churn handle up
and down, her gaze wandered to the
snow-covered fields, but she did not
see them. She saw a shady nicnic
ground thronged with folks in gay
summer attire. She did not hear the
rumble of the wind as it swept over
the tin roof-her ear was attuned to
the music Of a brass band. Through
the swirIing snowfiakes white
church came into view. She could see
the horses and vehicles hitched to the
trees; the black riding skirts Of the
women flung careIessly over the fence;
she could hear the deep, sonorous
voice Of the preacher. Or again there
came to her the thousand and one
sights and sounds of county fair. She
had a vision of the amphitheater filled
with eager, shouting people; OF floral
hall, with its display Of canned fruit,
cakes, fancy-wOrk, quilts; maybe her
red and green Irish-chain quilt would
take a premium. And always, no mat
ter what her dream, she, Zella, was in
the foreground, meeting old friends,
making new ones, mingling for the
first time since her marriage in the So
cial life of Back Fork.
Her dreaming was interrupted by
the opening of the door just enough
to blow in a stocky man, his arms
filled with packages.
"Whew! that winds cold" he said,
holding his hands over the stove to
warm. Here, let me finish that. It'll
warm me up" He threw his heavy
coat and cap on chair and took his
wife's place at the churn.
Il been thinkin' all morning what a
good time we'll have this summer,
Jud." leila picked up the coat and cap
and hung them on a nail near the door
before dropping into chair to rest.
you bet we WILL" he smiled down
at her
They'll enjoy it, too" leila nodded
towards the three children, who at
the first sound of their fathers voice
and rushed clamoring into the kitchen.
From the strict economy of their
first years-they had bought the farm
con time" with Jud teaching school
IL winter and farming in summer; the
coming of the babies in rapid success
sion; the endless round of work; sick
babies and sleepless nights, leila
had emerged CHEEKY and sweet.
You're a thoroughbred, leila" Jud
was fond of saying proudly.
The youngest baby was now nearly
two years old. The farm was paid
for. with a small balance in the bank.
The turkeys the fall before had
brought sixty dollars, which stood al
most intact, to their credit at the store.
They planned to get surrey in the
Spring.
Wen 60 to Quarterly Meeting in
June. and to the picnic on the Fourth
Of July. and to visit Sister Alice in
August. and to the fair in September,
and in between we'll go to everything
that goes on, won't we, JUDI" leila
asked one day.
Anywhere you want to 60" he
agreed cheerfulIy.
In the evenings, when the workwas
done and the children were in bed,
celia would pile the catalogues on the
kitchen table, place the lamp in the
center, and she and Jud on opposite
sides would discuss the merits and de
merits of the different vehicles pictur-
ed therein.
"a spring wagon would be more
useful to me-" unused Jud one evening.
But a surrey is more stylish,
pleaded leila.
YES, a surrey looks better, and in
a year or two I'll be able to afford a
light road wagon"
Here's a beauty for hundred dol
lars, but the seats are too high for