Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-02-27
The Mysterious
Gift
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper UnioDJ
Bv GEORGE ELMER COBB

his wife, two little children and
young girl, whose grace and beauty
were radiant even in the fitful glow of
spluttering oil lamp. Dayton was
waiting for a southbOund train, the
little family group, he gathered from
their conversation, :. for one bound in
the opposite direction. ElstOn had
been named as their destination and
Dayton was interested, for that was
where he resided.
He was a young man not more than
thirty, but some adverse experience
seemed to have clOuded his life, to
Judge from a certain world WEAKNESS
in eyes and face. He was courteous
to those he came in contact with. but
making no close friends or acQuain-
tanceS.
From what Dayton overheard he
was able to surmise that the man was
Robert Lane, who had recently failed
in the city, broken down in health, and
he acted hopeless md discouraged.
The little ones were the orphan
children of a married daughter What
attracted the attention of Dayton was
the infinite pains of his other daugh-
ter, whom he called Airline, and of his
wife to cheer him and make him COM
Portable.
"OnIy a few hours more, father
DEAR" spoke the young girl soothing
ly, land we will be in our new home.
Then you must take long rest and
burden your poor tired soul with moth
ing for weeks and weeks"
''And what is to keep us all from
starving in the meantime?" asked the
old man with dismal sigh.
ooh, we have arranged for every
thing!" answered Airline brightly. We
have been very fortunate to secure
that cheap, pretty house in Rlston. The
rent is scarcely anything; the agent
has been most kind i'll seeing that our
furniture was received and put in
place. I shall find work, mamma can
help Out with her sewing and oh the
agent writes me there is large lot
for gardening and chicken houses and
buildings for a COW and all that"
(Which looks very fine" submitted
the invalid, but it costs money to
stock up such a place."
eyes, and fast as II earn money we
will proceed to do it, if we have to
buy only one chicken at 4 time" de-
clared Airline buoyantly. "Oh. indeed,
It will be rare delight TO gradually
build up our lives new all over and
forget our old troubles"
Their train arrived, and Dayton, i'm
PEELED by his strong human interest
in these unfortunates, FASTENED to re-
lieve Airline of one of the two satchets
she carried. She bestowed a grateful
word for the courtesy. Dayton stood
watching the train till it was gone.
The new life began for the Lanes
amid novel and engrossing expert
euces. Even the depressed father took
an interest in life. They got the gar
den plat ready for planting meantime,
and one morning little Edna came
rushing into the house qufvering with
excitement.
ooh, aunty" she cried wildly, 'the
chicken house is just full of the most
beautiful hens and roOsters you ever
saw"
Airline hurried out to the rear of the
lot. She could scarcely believe her
eyes. Nearly thirty of the fowl tribe
were visible where there had been
emptiness. When had they come
who the generous donor? The mystery
puzzled and disturbed, but as the days
went on no explanation materialized
and the Lanes were content to enjoy
the gifts that the gods had bestowed.
One day Dayton passed the house
and Airline learned that he was their
landlord. He bowed politely on that
occasion, on another paused to have a
little chat with Mr. Lane and one af-
ternOOn when there was a circus in
town took the two little ones to the
entertainment. He seemed to eXpe-
rience a pleasure in witnessing the
perfect harmony industry and con-
tentment of the happy home group.
He smiled indulgently as Airline
told of her strange acquisition of live
poultry and one day the mystery be-
came so no longer. Some one had left
the chicken yard gate open. Arline's
cherished brood was gone. In great
trepidation she ran out into the rear
lane. In the distance she made out
her disloyal guests led by majestic
chanticleer making for new feeding
grounds. AS she caught up with them,
breathless and excited, they filed into
the garden and then into the chicken
yard of Mr.. Rolfe Dayton.
He himself smiled at her pretty con-
fusion from the house porch. Airline
was flushed and embarrassed as the
truth flashed over her mind.
"You We're the generous donor"
she burst forth in her impetuous way.
''Why not?- with plenty to spare"
he challenged with a smile. II will
see that the truants are returned to
your excellent charge. In fact I will
myself get them back where they be-
long"
Which he did, and enjoyed the fun
and excitement of chase and capture,