Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-09-06
JACK AND JILL
BY MolLlE MATHER

his name was Jack. And he was
grumbling 20 himself, that he should
have been chosen to make the steep
trip up the hill, instead OF Thompson;
Thompson always did have the easy
commissions. Then, his boredom was
somewhat lessened by the unexpected
sound OF a woman's voice, singing. II
was not so much the song, which
cheered Jack, as the note OF glrIish
laughter that went with IL.
The laughter and the song, both
came from the direction of a big
white farm house.
A girl could be seen, sitting on the
veranda, holding a small boy in her
arms.
Jack and JIM" sang the girl. "went
up the hill"
ITO get a cup OF water" shouted the
small boy, gleefully.
This engineering Job I'm the noun
tains brought TO him loneliness, and
little of woman's companionship, and
the woman's soft laughter brought to
Kim renewed courage.
Maybe can stick IL out, after ALL"
he reflected. IF there's honey place
near by, where they'd welcome a fell
low. Maybe the girl-no. she isn't the
boys mother. l heard him call her
some name.
Lonely Jack drew up his car, as the
two came near. His wistful smile
brought forth no response from Miss
Jill. He considered some reasonable
excuse for speaking.
"Can you tell me-" questioned Jack.
hopefully. IF there is a road leading
90 the right, az the top OF this hinT"
II cannot" the young woman briefly
returned. II am only a visitor here
myself" She went on her way. but
Jack persisted.
perhaps Laddie could tell me-" he
suggested.
The girls tone was impatient.
"Dickie is too small TO know anything
about direction" she said.
Jack rode on, forlornly, but he made
a last effort.
I'D be glad to drive you and the
little boy up, he said.
Walking up" Miss Jill firmly re-
piled, as part Of our game" And the
road. when Jack got there, led neither
TO the right nor left, but straight on.
A spring bubbled by the roadside, and
he rested beside It's GOODNESS. The girl
arrived presently, leading the child.
Together. and ignoring his beseeching
presence, they filed the tin cup with
water, and sat- TO enjoy II.
II hope" said Dickie, "that you
never will go home to the city, Jill,
even when Mamma comes back. You
think up such nice games, and Gran'ma
likes you. too. She says II was pretty
good Of you 10 offer 10 stay with your
friends child. when she went way of
10 California. Did you and my
Mamma used 20 go TO school together2
Gran'ma says you did. And Granma
says she wishes there was some young
company for you out here, so you
wouldn't get lonesome. with only me.
Do you get lonesome|
"No." denied Miss Jill. "Oh. no, In
deed" but Jack saw the laughing dark
eyes suddenly grow misty. He had
thought them pretty before, but in
their mistiness he was filled with
wild desire 10 comfort. To tell the
girl Just how he understood. t-he
thought. disconsolately regarding her
from his seat I'm the cart might only
be possible 10 meet her properly. But
there were just workmen back at the
camp-all strangers like himself.
"Sing!" demanded Dlckie, "sing Jack
and jill, as we go down the hill" The
girl sang, llltingly, as he had first
heard her. Mlschlevously, half way
down. with a safe distance between
she turned 10 wave 10 him.
Then, Jack never could tell how II
happened-trying to follow hastily
perhaps making too quick a turn In
the deep rutted road-his car turned
turtle. and he knew no more.
Dickie screamed, Hes falling!
He's falling down hill! oh, Janet
what shall we dO2"
run - she ordered. run as fast
as YOU can. and bring Joe from the
field" Janet herself was running to
the aid of the unconscious young man.
She was bending over Jack when big
Joe came hurrying TO drive the In
iured one back TO the house. Janet
rested the broken head against her own
shoulder. her handkerchief stopped
the flow of blood.
Grandma had the spare bed ready
In his silence. poor Jack could not
know the anxiety Of the small group
around the bedside when the doctor
examined his wounds.
THANK the Lord!" exclaimed Grand
ma. fervently, when the physician as
spred them that Jack would recover
with good care.
II win give the good care" offered