Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-11-18
CHAPTER /
Oliver, Born in October

OAlVef, Born IN OCCOOef
Oliver October Baxter Jr was born
in the town Of Rumley on vile Octo-
Der day in 1890, Rumley people were
divided in their excitement over this
event and the arrival of a band of
gypsies, camped on the edge of the
swamp below the Baxter house.
divers parents were prominent in
the commercial, social and spiritual life
of the town. His father was the pro-
prietor of the hardware store, a prom
lnent member of the Presbyterian
church, and leader in the local lodge
of Odd Fellows. His mother, Mary
Baxter, a comedy, capable young woIn-
I'm. was beloved by all No finer
s'youngun" than Oliver October had
ever been born, according to Mrs.
Sprepta Grimes, and Serepta was an
authority on babies. 1t was she who
took command of Oliver, his mother
and his father, the house itself, and all
that therein was.
AS the story of Oliver October really
begins at o'clock in the evening of
his birthday, we will open the nara
live with Mr.. Joseph Skies, Mr.. Bax-
ter's old and trusted friend, lowering
i'm solitary gloom over the baseburner
In the sitting room Of Baxter's house.
lie was interrupted in his gloomy medi-
tatiOns by the slamming of the kitchen
door. His brow grew dark. This was
mo time to be slamming doors.
Rushing to open the door, he was
confronted by a pair Of total strangers
"a tall man with short black whiskers
and frail little woman with red, wind
smitten cheeks.
~ am Oliver Bakers sister," an
nounced the woman, land this Is my
husband, Mr.. Gooch. We drove all the
way over here from HOpkinsville to
take charge of things for my brother"
well, l guess if you are his sister
you'd better come into the sitting room
and take your things off," said Mr..
Skies, leading the way.
Mrs. GoOch, having Invested herself
OF coat, scarf, bonnet and overshoes,
Strengthened her hair before the look
ing glass, while her husband surveyed
the room and its contents with the dis
dainful air of one used to much better
things.
Gooch typifed prosperity Of the
meaner kind. Over in HOpkinsville he
was considered the richest and the
stnglest man in town. He was what
is commonly called "tax shark" de-
irving a lucrative and obnoxious in
come through his practice Of buying up
real estate at tax sales and holding it
until ii was redeemed by the hard
pressed owner, or, as it happened in
many instances, acquiring the property
under a provision of the state law
then in operation, whereby after pre-
scrbed lapse of time he was enabled
70 secure a tax deed in his own name.
No one, not even his fellow church
members, had ever been known to get
the better of him.
81 shall take charge here" Mrs.
Gaoch announced to Mr.. Skies. rs
this the way upstairs"
Mr.. Skies nodded. But If l was
YOU" he said, "Td ask Serepty Grimes
before l took charge here"
! VIII soon get rid of Mrs. Grimes,
said she. tossing her head.
AS she started to leave the room,
loud knocking at the front door rose
above the howl of the wind. Skies, re-
suming his Office as master of cere-
monies, pushed his way past Mrs.
Gooch and opened the door to admit
a woman and two men. The first to
enter the sitting room was tall man
wearing a thin black overcoat and
nigh silk hat. This was Rev. Herbert
Sage, pastor of the Presbyterian church
Of Rumley. The lady was his wife.
The other member of the trio, fat,
red-faced, jolly looking man of indie
terminate age, was Silas Link, the
undertaken, upholsterer and liveryman
Of Rumley.
Reverend" Sage was a good-looking
Young man of thirty, threadbare and
triile wan, with kindly brown eyes set
deep under a broad, intelligent brow.
Ills wife was, surprisingly enough.
handsome. dashing young woman. She
was tall, willowy and startling. She
Wore sealSkin coat-at least 1t looked
Ike seal-with sleeves that ballooned
gJandly at the shoulders; rather stun
hlng coral earrings made up of gradu-
ated globes and slinky satin skirt OF
black.
Good evening, Mr.. Skies" she