ACRES O 
 
 4O PACIFIC AVENUE 
 
 ' ONO BEACH CALIF
 
 BY 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 E. A. WEEKS & COMPANY, 
 521-531 WABASH AVE.
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1896, 
 
 BY B. A. WEEKS & CO., 
 
 CHICAGO.
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 MY MOTHER. 
 
 "MIZPAH," 
 
 GEN. XXXI, 49.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 "Life a volume of one edition." 
 
 "In eighteen hundred sixty-five, 
 
 This very month and day, 
 Winking and blinking at the light 
 
 A little baby lay." 
 
 She is Lavinia, therefore must be loved. 
 
 Titus Andronicus. 
 
 She was indeed a welcome visitor, dain- 
 tily embroidered garments were waiting to 
 enfold her, and as she lay upon the snowy 
 whiteness, she seemed like a dewdrop, so 
 bright her eyes. She was a perfect baby 
 as the nurse put her in the tiny scales to 
 be weighed. 
 
 The first present after the arrival of "my 
 ladie," was a dozen pair of crocheted shoes,
 
 6 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 in delicate tints, with these verses, which 
 seemed so appropriate: 
 
 "Two tiny feet, so small that both may nestle 
 
 in one caressing hand, 
 Two tiny feet, upon the untried border 
 
 Of life's mysterious land. 
 Dimpled and soft and pink as peach-tree blossoms 
 
 In April's fragrant days; 
 How can they walk among the briery tangles 
 
 Edging the world's rough ways." 
 
 "The bairn that is born on the Sabbath day 
 Is blithe and bonny and good and gay." 
 
 Such laughing blue eyes, such a happy 
 smile, such dimples attracted every one. 
 The first tooth, the first word, the first step 
 were of more interest to her parents, who 
 watched with eagerness the development 
 of their rosebud. 
 
 When Lavinia was only three months 
 old, Mr. and Mrs. Erskin moved to the 
 Badger State, a long journey for one so 
 young, and destined to change the life of 
 the little stranger. Mr. Erskin had heard 
 of the excellent opportunity to purchase
 
 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 7 
 
 pine land near Oshkosh, and although 
 Mrs. Erskin was almost frightened by the 
 dreadful name, she was willing to go to 
 the ends of the earth, if for her husband's 
 best interests. 
 
 Upon the cultivated and sensitive ear of 
 a Bostonian, the name Oshkosh falls with 
 a harsh, grating sound, suggestive of wild 
 Indians; to some of our ancestors, who 
 have always lived under the brow of the 
 White Mountains, and never traveled far- 
 ther than the "Hub," the city with the 
 dreadful name seems out of the world ; but 
 to the average American, the name Osh- 
 kosh calls to mind a progressive little city 
 of nearly 30,000 inhabitants, with paved 
 streets, electric lights and all the modern 
 improvements; also a Normal school, Opera 
 house, Government building and a beauti- 
 fully planned park, on the shores of Lake 
 Winnebago. 
 
 The people are mostly from New Eng-
 
 8 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 land; they decided to take Horace Gree- 
 ley's advice, and are not sorry they did so. 
 A great many have become wealthy, built 
 fine residences and enjoy life as much as 
 any class. Oshkosh is noted, far and wide, 
 for its hospitality and pretty girls. 
 Several years ago, an article appeared 
 in a New York paper, claiming that Osh- 
 kosh was a myth, there really was no such 
 place; but it hardly caused a ripple on the 
 surface of Lake Winnebago, and the sun- 
 set rays continued to light up the tall 
 spires of as prosperous a city as it ever 
 illumined. Recently an Eastern paper 
 said, "The great, famous, and popular city 
 of Oshkosh rings through the world, with 
 even a louder note than Persepolis or 
 Babylon. There may be men in Oshkosh 
 itself who never heard of Babylon or Per- 
 sepolis; but where is the man who has 
 not heard of Oshkosh? The poet who 
 thought there was nothing in a name, and
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 9 
 
 that a rose by any other nomenclature 
 would smell as sweet, lived and died be- 
 fore he ever heard the name of Oshkosh. 
 If he had had the liquid-sounding name 
 of Oshkosh before him, he probably would 
 never have penned the compliment to the 
 fragrant rose." 
 
 Such was the home of Lavinia's child- 
 hood. Her parents were of English de- 
 scent. Many years ago, in one of the small, 
 New England villages, nestled among the 
 hills of the Green Mountain State, there 
 lived a doctor, who, for more than forty 
 years, visited the poor as well as the rich; 
 when the other doctors would not go, 
 pleading other calls, the poor family knew 
 that if they sent for Ethan Nelson their 
 distress would be relieved. On the Sab- 
 bath, with a clear conscience, he worshiped 
 the Lord and led the singing in the little 
 white meeting-house. He had a family of 
 eight children, the eldest, a daughter Mar-
 
 10 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 garet, who resembled her father in many 
 ways. Her kind heart and cheerful dis- 
 position made the "doctor's oldest daugh- 
 ter" a general favorite. 
 
 Her grandmother, on her mother's side, 
 was a sister of the hero, Nathan Hale, 
 whose last words will ever ring through 
 the corridors of time. Her father's mother 
 was one of the family, made famous by the 
 victory on Lake Erie. 
 
 While visiting an aunt in New Hamp- 
 shire, she met James Erskin, tall, dark, 
 black hair, aquiline nose; her exact oppo- 
 site, she being fair, with blue eyes, flaxen 
 hair, and red cheeks, so common in those 
 days; but rarely seen now, without arti- 
 ficial aid. His ancestors also claimed 
 Kevolutionary fame. His grandfather, a 
 relative of John Adams, was wounded in 
 a battle of the Kevolution, and left for 
 dead; but, consciousness returning, he 
 crawled near a fallen tree, and covered
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 11 
 
 himself with leaves it was October fear- 
 ing the British might march that way. 
 Before long he heard the dogs, and gave 
 himself up for a dead man. However, he 
 resolved to try holding his breath, having 
 heard that dogs and bears won't touch a 
 man apparently dead, and to his relief he 
 found they passed him by. The next day 
 he was picked up by some of his men, who 
 were after supplies, and rescued from a 
 sad fate otherwise this story might never 
 have been written. 
 
 Hair-breadth escapes seemed to occur 
 frequently in his family; he often dwelt 
 on a. strange experience, in his mother's 
 life, and he was led to exclaim, "How great 
 and wonderful are Thy ways, O Lord." His 
 father went back to England for his bride, 
 and for ten years they lived at the old 
 homestead, about twenty miles from the 
 Scotch border. 
 
 One September day, after a short illness,
 
 12 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 his mother died, and was buried in the lit- 
 tle church-yard, yonder. That night, two 
 men went to the grave to get a valuable 
 ring that was left on her finger; it had 
 been in the family for several generations, 
 and was given to the eldest daughter, but 
 as she had no children, it was allowed to 
 remain on her finger. 
 
 The moon was partly hidden behind a 
 bank of clouds, and cast a few shimmering 
 beams on the newly-made grave. As they 
 lifted the first shovelful of dirt, the wierd- 
 ness of the scene came over them they 
 glanced around, ancl the moonbeams 
 seemed to change the white stones into 
 beckoning figures. This was their first ex- 
 perience in work of this kind, and their 
 hearts almost failed them; but as there 
 were two of them, their courage returned, 
 and in whispers they said there was no 
 reason why they should not take the ring; 
 it would do no one any good as it was, and
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 13 
 
 when they reached America they could 
 realize a round sum, for it was an emerald 
 of great value and the setting was of rare 
 design. They intended starting for Liv- 
 erpool that night and sail on the first 
 steamer. They had only money enough 
 for their passage, hence the bold deed. 
 
 "God works in a mysterious way." They 
 quickly removed the dirt and unscrewed 
 the lid; but as they glanced at the pale 
 face, a shudder ran through their frames. 
 In cutting the ring, they cut her finger, 
 which started the blood, and as it proved to 
 be that she was only in a trance, she raised 
 up m the coffin. The men, wild with 
 fright, flung down their tools and took to 
 their heels. The moon had seemed to be in 
 league with them, by trying to hide their 
 dark deed; but as soon as she raised her- 
 self and sat bewildered at being brought 
 back to life a queer sensation it certainly 
 must be the silvery rays lit up the land- 
 scape and seemed to cheer her, for she im-
 
 14 THE GIRL PROM QSHKOSH. 
 
 mediately rose and walked home in her 
 grave clothes, a lonely walk, although a 
 short one. As her husband heard her step 
 on the gravel walk, he thought to himself, 
 if Mary hadn't been buried this afternoon, 
 I surely should think it was she. The old- 
 fashioned brass knocker sounded, and when 
 he went to the door, he beheld his wife. 
 
 She lived many years after this occur- 
 rence, and had two sons, James and John; 
 the latter, being a noted scholar, wrote 
 several famous books. James came to 
 America and settled in New Hampshire, 
 just across the river from the home of r. 
 Nelson. At skating parties on the Connecti- 
 cut or sleigh-rides he always saw Mar- 
 garet, and as she was usually the life of the 
 party, he naturally enough fell in love with 
 her, and resolved to win the prize. After 
 a quiet wedding, they moved to New York, 
 where Mr. Erskin was president ef a lum- 
 ber company, and where Lavinia was 
 born.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 15 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "The world is an oyster; how are you going to 
 open yours?" 
 
 During the first five years in their new 
 home, two more children were added to 
 their number, a daughter and a son; but 
 before the close of the next year, Mrs. Ers- 
 kin was left a widow, her husband and son 
 having died of typhoid fever, which raged 
 that summer and had a great many vic- 
 tims. Mrs. Erskin thus bereft, managed to 
 supply the necessaries of life, through the 
 kindness of friends, who furnished her 
 with plain sewing and embroidery. 
 
 At eight years of age Lavinia began her 
 school life. The next year, a picnic of all 
 the city schools was held at the High 
 School grove; they marched to three bands 
 of music five thousand children in line.
 
 16 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 When the superintendent came to choose 
 the speakers, he asked Lavinia if she would 
 represent her ward. At noon she came fly- 
 ing home faster than "Pegasus" could have 
 borne her, and bursting into the room 
 where her mother sat sewing, she cried, 
 "Oh! mother, I am chosen to speak at the 
 picnic; but what can I wear? My blue 
 dress is so worn. But then, mamma, I 
 rather speak well, and wear my old dress." 
 
 Mamma, who always had a comforting 
 thought, said: "Cheer up, dear. Lavinia 
 shall have mamma's wedding dress; you 
 know it is a pretty, white Swiss muslin, 
 and just the thing." 
 
 When the day came, no happier child 
 was in the procession, and when she came 
 forward on the platform, her voice rang 
 out loud and clear: 
 
 "Wanted a tenement down in the city. 
 
 Parlor and dining-room, kitchen and hall, 
 Sitting-room, library, cosy and pretty, 
 Room in the basement, when washing day falls."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 17 
 
 She sat amid the cheers of the throng, 
 and the superintendent said, "Well done, 
 Lavinia." 
 
 The younger sister, Lucile, was a bright, 
 obedient child; but the mother's comfort 
 was always Lavinia, she was very kind 
 and thoughtful for a child, and very apt 
 in her studies. 
 
 In the summer of 187 Mrs. Erskin de- 
 cided to sell her little home and move back 
 to her New England friends. Lavinia's 
 heart was nearly broken at the thought of 
 leaving Chellis Cranford, her constant 
 companion. They staid a few mouths with 
 Mrs. Erskin's brother, Mr. Abbott, at Con- 
 cord. He was like a father to Lavinia, he 
 told her that he would pay all her expenses 
 at Harvard Annex, if she would pass the 
 examinations when sixteen. His store was 
 in Boston; he went down every morning 
 and back at night, so that he saw very lit- 
 tle of his children except Sundays. Dick,
 
 18 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 the most precocious of them all, came in 
 to his mother, one day, with tears stream- 
 ing down his cheeks. 
 
 "Mamma, that man out by the gate 
 whipped me." 
 
 "What man out by the gate?" 
 
 "Why, that man out by the gate that 
 stays here Sundays." 
 
 When only three he ran away, and it 
 was nearly an hour before the nurse found 
 him. His mother thought for Dick's good 
 she must punish him in some way; but 'ere 
 she had decided what punishment was best 
 he crawled through a small space at the 
 end of the piazza, and as the nurse couldn't 
 get him to come out he remained there un- 
 til his father came back from a drive. Upon 
 being informed of Dick's conduct, his 
 "pater familias" immediately proceeded to 
 bring Dick forth. When he saw his father's 
 difficulty in getting through the hole, he 
 turned to him and exclaimed: "Hello! pa,
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 19 
 
 is that woman after you, too?" It is need- 
 less to say that Dick wasn't punished until 
 "to-morrow." 
 
 At school, the boys called him Sandy, on 
 account of his auburn locks. He conld 
 stand that; but one day a big boy said: 
 "Say, Dick, did you have the scarlet fever 
 and it settled in your hair?" This was too 
 much*, Straightening up, he replied: 
 
 "If I am smaller than you are, you had 
 better look out, or there will be singing 
 at your house and you won't hear it." 
 
 Mrs. Erskin enjoyed their return to her 
 native hills, and the autumn found them 
 nicely settled in a vine-covered cottage, in 
 Cambridge. 
 
 The four years spent in the High School 
 in Boston were well improved, and with 
 some extra study at home, Lavinia passed 
 the highest of the one hundred girls who 
 took the examination. 
 
 Although Mrs. Erskin had to w*rk early
 
 20 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 and late with her needle all these years, 
 she found time to give the children music; 
 of course she couldn't afford a, teacher. She 
 was capable of giving them instruction, as 
 previous to her marriage she had spent 
 three years at Music Vale Seminary, in 
 Salem, Conn. Both children loved music, 
 and with the natural talent and the les- 
 sons their mother could give them, they 
 progressed so rapidly that after Lavinia 
 entered college, she obtained a class of 
 twenty mostly children of her friends, 
 who knew how deserving she was.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 21 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 When God formed the rose he said, "Thou shalt 
 flourish and spread thy perfume." When he com- 
 manded the sun to emerge from chaos, he added, 
 "Thou shalt enlighten and warm the world." When 
 he gave life to the lark, he enjoined upon it to soar 
 and sing in the air. Finally he created man and 
 told him to love. And seeing the sun shine, per- 
 ceiving the rose scattering its odors, hearing the lark 
 warble in the air, how can man help loving? 
 
 Grun. 
 
 FATE. 
 
 Two shall be born the whole, wide world apart 
 
 And speak in different tongues and have no tho't 
 
 Each of the other's being, and no need; 
 
 And these, o'er unknown seas to unknown lands 
 
 Shall cross, escaping wreck, defying death, 
 
 And all unconsciously shape every act 
 
 And bend each wandering step to this one end 
 
 That, one day, out of darkness, they shall meet 
 
 And read life's meaning in each other's eyes. 
 
 And two shall walk some narrow way of life 
 
 So nearly side by side, that should one turn 
 
 Ever so little space to left or right 
 
 They needs must stand acknowledged face te face, 
 
 And yet, with wistful eyes that never meet,
 
 22 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 With groping hands that never clasp, and lips 
 Calling in vain to ears that never hear, 
 They seek each other all their weary days 
 And die unsatisfied and this is fate. 
 
 Susan Marr Spalding. 
 
 During the second jear at college, 
 Lavinia met Ammi Wright at one of the 
 boat races. She admired his gentlemanly 
 ways and his face, so expressive of char- 
 acter. They met several times without be- 
 coming much acquainted, until one day 
 Lavinia was caught in a rain storm a 
 sudden April shower. Mr. Wright was 
 crossing the street, just as she reached the 
 corner and seeing that she was unprotect- 
 ed, he gallantly offered his umbrella, and 
 jokingly said, "May I be your 'rain beau'?" 
 With ready wit, she replied: "Yes, and I 
 will be your 'rain dear.' " 
 
 Upon reaching her home, it rained so 
 hard that he came in for a few minutes 
 until the shower had passed. He had such 
 a pleasant call, that he asked permission
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 23 
 
 to come again. 'Twas Fate. The old, old 
 story; the friendship soon ripened into 
 love. He was treasurer of a large paper 
 company; but although his salary was 
 large, his parents had recently lost all 
 their property, and Lavinia admired him 
 for wishing to help them; then, too, she 
 wanted to finish college before thinking 
 seriously of matrimony. 
 
 The girls would say te her: "Ammi 
 Wright or Ammi Wrong?" but she was 
 certain that life without him "would a 
 weary journey be." 
 
 The following June the company opened 
 a large branch office in Melbourne, Aus- 
 tralia, and as he was such a trustworthy 
 young man and financial manager they 
 prevailed upon him to accept the position 
 by increasing his salary to six thousand a 
 year. His parents were ready to go, hop- 
 ing to start life anew, and as he and 
 Lavinia had had a little misunderstand-
 
 24 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 ing, on the impulse of the moment he said 
 he would go, regretting it, however, before 
 he had been two days at sea; but being 
 naturally proud, he resolved not to write. 
 
 "Comes a little cloudlet 
 
 'Twixt ourselves and heaven, 
 See how on the river, 
 
 Fades the silver track. 
 Put thine arms around me, 
 
 Whisper low 'forgiven,' 
 See how on the river, 
 
 Starlight settles back." 
 
 Lavinia lost her usual cheerful manner, 
 but Mrs. Erskin said to her: "It is only one 
 of life's lessons that you must learn." Her 
 mother was much relieved upon receiving 
 an urgent invitation for Lavinia to accom- 
 pany Mr. Winship's family to their sum- 
 mer home at Newport. Lavinia met them 
 while visiting her aunt's family, in Con- 
 cord. He was a wealthy carriage manu- 
 facturer; they had no children and were 
 attracted to Lavinia by- her many bright 
 sayings and pleasant manner. Their adopt-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 25 
 
 ed daughter and Lavinia soon became fast 
 friends. 
 
 "I would like to accept the invitation," 
 she said to her mother, "then I'll forget for 
 a while at least how lonely I am. I wish 
 'Pandora' hadn't opened the box, then 
 there wouldn't be so many little troubles 
 flying around." 
 
 She wrote Marie that she couldn't ac- 
 cept on account f her wardrobe, which 
 was net suitable for a place like Newport. 
 "Why, riding, tennis, parties, etc., will re- 
 quire a new dress every day, and y@u know 
 the only nice dress I have is that black 
 mull." Marie's letter was consoling. 
 "Never mind," she said, "I would rather 
 have your cheerful disposition than all my 
 nice clothes." 
 
 So at last it was arranged that she would 
 spend July with them. Mrs. Erskin and 
 Lucile went to Vermont to visit the old 
 homestead on the Connecticut, only one
 
 26 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 brother remaining of what was once such 
 a happy home. 
 
 Upon reaching Newport, Lavinia was 
 met by the Winship carriage, drawn by the 
 handsomest span of chestnut horses 
 Gold-dust and Fear-naught. Marie was de- 
 lighted to see her friend and Mr. and Mrs. 
 Winship greeted her kindly, saying: "Wel- 
 come to our elder daughter." 
 
 The house was a large stone mansion, 
 overlooking the sea. The room prepared 
 for Lavinia would be the delight of any 
 girl's heart a corner room near the ocean, 
 where she said she could "watch old ocean 
 indulge in storms for Svreck-reation.' " 
 
 Everything was in pink, Marie knowing 
 that to be her favorite color. The large 
 arch window was draped with pink chiffon 
 over satin, and nothing was forgotten, 
 from the well-filled bookcase, with Lavin- 
 ia's favorite books, "Lucile," "Polly Oli- 
 ver's Problem," "On the Heights," "Sara-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 27 
 
 cinesca," "The Last American," - - to the 
 dainty little writing desk. 
 
 "Oh, Marie, how kind and thoughtful to 
 prepare such a haven of rest. I shall sure- 
 ly be able to write poetry if I have such a 
 'flowery bed of ease.' " 
 
 The first summer at the seashore was 
 like a dream to the fair Oshkosh maid. The 
 mornings were spent painting sea-shells, 
 with a plunge in the surf, just before lunch. 
 In the afternoon Mr. Winship's carriage 
 was to be seen on the boulevards. The 
 evenings were spent at garden parties, or 
 soirees, such as the bon-ton of Newport at- 
 tend, to which the Winships had always 
 been invited on account of their social po- 
 sition. They were royal entertainers, too, 
 always giving at least one large party dur- 
 ing the season. The one this summer was 
 Marie's debut. The decorations were in 
 white.
 
 28 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 "The Lord of Heaven bless thee, dear, 
 
 On this, thy natal day; 
 And keep thee in His love and fear 
 
 And guide thee on thy way." 
 
 The evening was an ideal one, a perfect 
 July night, warm and balmy, with the full 
 moon flooding the earth with silvery light. 
 
 The Winships did things magnificently, 
 and no one was disappointed. Through 
 the large conservatories, opening on the 
 lawn, were scattered divans and tete-a- 
 tetes, making a fairy-like spot for "Love's 
 3 7 oung dream" to rest beneath the palms. 
 The wide staircase was lined with footmen 
 in livery, standing motionless as the guests 
 passed up. The ceilings of the great hall 
 had been recently decorated by the most 
 famous painters, while a thousand candles 
 shed a soft, rich light.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 29 
 
 Marie wore a white mull and Lavinia her 
 black mull, their only ornaments being dia- 
 mond star pendants. When Marie opened 
 the box containing her present, she found 
 two stars instead of one, and a card, say- 
 ing: "For my two daughters." They re- 
 ceived with Mr. and Mrs. Winship. 
 
 The art gallery was open to those who 
 did not care for the "mazy waltz," and the 
 music room and dance hall were thrown 
 open into one. Before the dancing began, 
 Lavinia was to sing three or four selec- 
 tions. The first was, "For All Eternity/ 1 
 by Macheroni, with harp accompaniment; 
 then "Ma Voisine," by A. Goring Thomas; 
 and two little songs by Jessie Gaynor, 
 "Sleep Song," and "And I?" 
 
 "The bright stars are shining in heaven, 
 The waters flow down to the sea, 
 The flowers are dreaming of sunshine, 
 And I I am dreaming of thee. 
 
 The soft wind is kissing the rose 
 
 To dry up her tear-drops of dew, 
 
 The linden boughs shed their sweet perfume, 
 
 And I? I am thinking of you
 
 30 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 At evening, at morn or at noontide, 
 All night, and the whole day-time through 
 'Mid the throng, or alone in the silence, 
 Forever I am thinking of you." 
 
 One of the audience was Earl Edmunds, 
 who was visiting the Van Slykes, and 
 came as their guest. She sang the last 
 song from the heart thinking of Ammi 
 so far away and it played on his heart- 
 strings, as no voice ever had. If Lavinia 
 were free, he resolved that she should be- 
 come Mrs. Edmunds. 
 
 So many crowded around to offer con- 
 gratulations, that it was some time before 
 he found an opportunity to say, "Miss Ers- 
 kin, I hope you will sing that last song 
 again for me, and sing it with as much 
 feeling as you did to-night." 
 
 "While I sang I was thinking of an ab- 
 sent friend in Australia " but just then 
 they were interrupted by Marie and Mr. 
 Van Norman, who had come in search of 
 them.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 31 
 
 Mr. Edmunds inwardly resolved to take 
 the place of the absent friend. 
 
 It was nearly four when the last car- 
 riage rolled away. Lavinia seemed more 
 like her former self, forgetting her trouble 
 amid so much gayety; but 'ere she fell 
 asleep she wondered if Ammi would re- 
 turn.
 
 32 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 When I arose and saw the dawn, 
 
 I sighed for thee. 
 
 When light rode high and the dew was gone 
 And noon lay heavy on flower and tree, 
 And the weary day turned to his rest 
 Lingering like an unloved guest, 
 
 I sighed for thee 
 
 Shelley's Ode to Night. 
 
 In the years that had passed since they 
 returned to New England, Chellis Oan- 
 ford had never been forgotten for an in- 
 stant. Lavinia wrote her often, and re- 
 ceived very interesting letters in return. 
 Three summers had passed. It had now 
 been several weeks since receiving a letter, 
 when one morning "the postman, that 
 Genius, indifferent and stern, who shakes 
 out even-handed to all, from his urn," 
 brought one bearing the old, familiar post- 
 mark, "Oshkosh." She hurriedly broke the 
 seal, fearing her friend had been sick.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 33 
 
 Oshkosh, May 13, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia 
 
 I wonder how long it has been since I indicted 
 a billet-doux to you? Months, years, decades, almost 
 has it not? My dear mother has been very, very 
 sick; at one time there was little hope of her recov- 
 ery; but now the crisis is past and we are all 
 so rejoiced. She is able to drive a short distance 
 each day and the doctor says she will get entirely 
 well. 
 
 One night mother was taken suddenly worse; we 
 telephoned for the doctor; he came about ten thirty; 
 but she was better before he arrived. You know he 
 is such a jolly man, he told us an amusing incident, 
 that happened on the way. He didn't stop for his 
 carriage, as it is only a few blocks; just ahead of 
 him was a woman hurrying along; she turned the 
 corner, which happened to be the same way he was 
 going; she then quickened her pace, and he walked 
 a little faster, intent on reaching here as soon as 
 possible. Finally she turned upon him, saying: "Sir! 
 why are you following me?" He replied, "Madam, if 
 you will wait a moment and let me get ahead, then 
 you may follow me; I am going to see a sick patient." 
 
 Tonight the Arion band is discoursing the loveliest 
 music; the evening is warm and delightful; I wish 
 I might have a long, gossipy chat with you; not 
 malicious gossip, of course, we never used to in- 
 dulge in that kind, did we? But just to exchange 
 opinions concerning the current topics of the day, to 
 consult in regard to what is pretty in the gingham 
 line, what kind of hats are to be worn this sum- 
 mer and whether dresses are to fall in the same
 
 34 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 straight lines. Isn't this the kind of frivolous talk 
 we used to be guilty of? If not instructive, it is 
 entertaining, so serves a good purpose after all. 
 
 You have lived in Boston so long, I suppose 'ere 
 this you have taken to reading Browning, wear glasses 
 and consider the bean the staff of life. I have heard 
 that in Boston they eat "black beans" when in mourn- 
 ing; is it really true? 
 
 Do write often and come and visit us, soon. 
 As of yore, 
 
 CHELLIS CRANFORD. 
 
 After reading the letter, Lavinia's 
 thoughts turned toward her old home, 
 and she expressed a wish that she might 
 once more see the emerald shores of Lake 
 Winnebago, and hear the birds sing as 
 they did in days gone by, "I Sigh for 
 Thee." 
 
 While Lavinia sat dreaming, Mrs. Ers- 
 kin came in with a bright face, saying 
 "Lavinia, dear, this telegram just received, 
 instead of being a messenger of bad tidings 
 how I dread to open one since your 
 grandpa's death brings good news, just 
 what you wanted."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 35 
 
 "What can it be, mother dear? A trip 
 to Oshkosh? That is what I want most, 
 at the present minute." 
 
 "The very thing," her mother replied. 
 "Mrs. Winship wires that they go to Den- 
 ver for a few weeks before going to New- 
 port, and wish us to accompany them in 
 their private car. It will be a nice rest for 
 us, after the year's hard work. You can 
 go direct to Oshkosh and see Chellis, and 
 on our return from Denver we can run up 
 from Chicago and stay a few days. You 
 know my heart has always been with my 
 New England home, and a few days will 
 suffice." 
 
 "When do they start? I am so delight- 
 ed would much rather go there than to 
 Newport again, although I enjoyed last 
 summer very much." 
 
 "We are to meet them Monday night, at 
 the Albany depot."
 
 36 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 "How nice of them to take you, mother. 
 I wouldn't have gone if they hadn't." 
 
 "Yes, it was kind of Mrs. Winship." 
 
 The following Monday found Mrs. Ers- 
 kin, Lavinia and Lucile ready for the jour- 
 ney. A merry party welcomed them Mr. 
 and Mrs. Winship and Marie; Mr. Ed- 
 munds; Geneva Graham, Lavinia's most 
 intimate friend in college; Mr. Ferguson, 
 a student of Yale; Mr. Ames, of Boston, a 
 classmate of Mr. Winship's at West Point, 
 where they graduated; and Mr. Berghardt, 
 an old gentleman from Kentucky, who w r as 
 interested in the same mines in Colorado 
 as Mr. Winship. 
 
 This was Lavinia's first trip in a private 
 car, and she was in high spirits. 
 
 "Even a piano," she said to Marie. 
 
 Mr. Winship replied: "Why shouldn't 
 we have all the comforts of home?" 
 
 They glided along merrily. As twilight 
 came on, Mr. Winship suggested that each
 
 FROGS FOR BAIT.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 37 
 
 one contribute his share toward the even- 
 ing's entertainment. Mr. Winship told his 
 experience in fishing. 
 
 "There is a little stream in Ohio, noted 
 for its fishing, where seven of us went one 
 day last summer. But that day the fish 
 were 'wary.' No one got a bite, and some- 
 body suggested 'frogs' for bait, they were 
 so plentiful in this vicinity. After secur- 
 ing some, success was assured all except 
 myself having more than they could do 
 to pull in the 'beauties.' I didn't even get 
 a bite. Finally, becoming discouraged, I 
 began pulling in my line, which seemed 
 rather light, and upon turning round I dis- 
 covered Mr. Frog sitting on a lily leaf, 
 laughing at the disconsolate fisherman 
 from Boston." 
 
 "Speaking of fishing," Mr. Ames said, "I 
 saw a man in Vermont that will break the 
 record of the laziest man in the world. He 
 had an old horse and sulky backed up to
 
 38 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 the stream, and when he got a bite he 
 started up his horse." 
 
 Geneva gave some music on her zither. 
 The music and the twilight hour seemed 
 to lend enchantment, and as the sweet 
 strains of "Sounds from Home" floated on 
 the air, Mr. Berghardt said: "That takes 
 me back some fifty years, to the time I left 
 home and friends in Germany to cross the 
 ocean's foam and seek my fortune in the 
 new world. I was only a lad of fifteen, and 
 with streaming eyes my mother said 'Fare- 
 well,' and gave me her blessing, neither 
 father nor mother expecting to see their 
 son again. Well, there was a shipwreck 
 and I, with two others, clung to a floating 
 spar ten hours, and when hope was almost 
 gone, one of the men having been swept 
 off by a huge wave, we were finally rescued 
 by a fishing smack, off the coast of Vir- 
 ginia." 
 
 "I go home every two years; but I find
 
 THE LAZIEST MAN ON RECORD.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 39 
 
 no father or mother to welcome their boy 
 still, the old familiar places bring joy to 
 my heart." 
 
 After listening attentively, Lavinia ex- 
 claimed: "Oh! Mr. Berghardt, I have a 
 song I want to sing to you, about 'The Lit- 
 tle German Home,' " and, going to the 
 piano, she sang: 
 
 "I love to think about the time so full of joy and glee, 
 That never will come back again to me. 
 
 Oh! it was many years ago, when but a little boy, 
 That I lived there so happy, light and free. 
 
 I used to play about all day and drive the cows and 
 
 sheep, 
 
 Until I was as tired as I could be; 
 But when my evening prayer was said, I'd lay me 
 
 down to sleep 
 In that little German home across the sea." 
 
 When she finished the first verse, he in- 
 terrupted her with: 
 
 "Pardon me, Miss Ersldn, but did you 
 just compose that?" 
 
 "Oh! no, indeed; I only wish I could;
 
 40 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 but there is nothing original about me. It 
 is an old song I knew when a little girl." 
 
 "I never shall forget the day I left the Fatherland 
 To sail across the stormy ocean's foam; 
 
 My friends, they gathered round me then and took 
 
 me by the hand, 
 And hoped that safely back again I'd come. 
 
 My father and my mother old, they both stood by the 
 
 door, 
 
 And gave their tearful blessing unto me. 
 But now they both are dead and gone, I ne'er shall 
 
 see them more 
 In that little German home across the sea." 
 
 "Surely, Miss Erskin, that is exactly my 
 story that I have been telling you about 
 leaving the Fatherland, and you sit down 
 and sing it you certainly must have im- 
 provised it." 
 
 It was hard to convince him that it was 
 not composed especially for the occasion. 
 
 "I've traveled many weary miles around this world 
 
 for years, 
 
 And many more I yet expect to roam; 
 But when I lay me down to sleep, then in my dreams 
 
 appear 
 Sweet visions of my dear, old German home.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 41 
 
 And when my days are over here, if it is for the best, 
 Oh, it would bring such joy and peace to me, 
 
 If I could close mine eyelids then and lay me down 
 
 to sleep 
 In that dear, old German home across the sea." 
 
 "My dear Miss Erskin, let me assure you 
 that this evening will ever be a pleasant 
 remembrance. It is almost like a visit to 
 my old home. I am glad Mr. Winship per- 
 suaded me to go to Denver." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Edmunds, what part do you 
 take in the drama of the evening?" 
 
 "I will read my latest production," and 
 taking a paper from his pocket, he read : 
 
 ADAM AND EVE 
 
 "When God made Adam, at the first 'twas tho't no 
 more was needed, 
 
 That he could till the farm alone and keep the gar- 
 den seeded. 
 
 No weeds then grew to choke the corn or sap the 
 fertile ground 
 
 And Adam had the finest farm for many milas around. 
 
 This garden bore the choicest fruit, well ripened in 
 
 the sun, 
 And he was told to help himself to all the trees 
 
 but one,
 
 42 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 And some may think that Adam might and should 
 
 have been content 
 To live alone and till the farm his God so kindly lent. 
 
 When Adam woke, he hardly dared his senses to 
 
 believe. 
 The woman saw his puzzled face and said, 'It's Mrs. 
 
 Eve.' 
 Then straightway Adam took her round and showed 
 
 her all the farm, 
 And thought how happy they should live with no 
 
 one else to harm. 
 
 And all went smoothly, for awhile they were a happy 
 
 pair; 
 Until the black man came along and set for them 
 
 a snare; 
 The woman took 9, walk one day, while Adam staid 
 
 at home. 
 He said, 'My dear, don't venture far, remember you're 
 
 alone.' 
 She smiled at Adam's tender fears and said, 'There 
 
 is no danger, 
 I will not go beyond the farm noi talk with any 
 
 stranger.' 
 
 Then throwing him a kiss she said, 'Good-bye, my 
 
 dear, 
 
 I will not tarry long away, for me you need not fear.' 
 She walked around among the trees and balmy was 
 
 the air, 
 The branches gently moaning said, 'The tempter's 
 
 nigh, beware!'
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 43 
 
 She still kept on and thinking, said, 'There really 
 is no danger,' 
 
 When looking round she saw a man; it was the dusky 
 stranger. 
 
 At first she thought of flying back and tell her hus- 
 band, Adam, 
 
 But the stranger smiled and loving said, Tray stay 
 a moment, madam.' 
 
 He said, 'I'm glad we thus have met alone out in 
 
 the wood, 
 I've something which I wish to say which may be 
 
 for your good. 
 I've found a wondrous tree with fruit both rich and 
 
 rare.' 
 
 She said, 'It is the tree of life, to eat we do not dare.' 
 He said, 'Who told you not to eat from off the tree 
 
 of life?' 
 
 She said, 'It was my husband, Adam, when I be- 
 came his wife.' 
 A lurking smile played o'er his face, his eyes were 
 
 full of cunning, 
 And he said, 'Your husband did mistake, or else he 
 
 might be funning.' 
 
 'The fruit,' he said, 'would knowledge give to each 
 
 a double portion, 
 You purely have a right to taste, 'twas only Adam's 
 
 notion.' 
 And thus the stranger reasoned fair, his scheme she 
 
 could not grapple; 
 At last she climbed the fatal tree, she reached and 
 
 took the apple.
 
 44 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 And after eating all she liked she carried some to 
 Adam, 
 
 Who said, 'Your fruit is very fine; I thank you dear- 
 est madam.' 
 
 At first, they felt no ill effect, the fruit was good 
 and sweet. 
 
 But soon the mischief it did work, their God they 
 dare not meet. 
 
 And Adam laid the blame to Eve, she to the dusky 
 
 stranger, 
 Who tempted her to eat the fruit and place the race 
 
 in danger. 
 God said they both were much to blame he could not 
 
 grant them pardon, 
 And they must both prepare to leave the farm and 
 
 pleasant garden." 
 
 "That is an old ballad in a new dress," 
 said Mr. Winship. "You ought to publish 
 a book of poems." 
 
 Mrs. Erskin said to Mr. Ferguson: "Did 
 you ever think how much a man resembles 
 his shoes? I didn't think there were so 
 many points in common until I read this 
 clipping from a Boston paper, the other 
 day."
 
 THE GIRL, FROM OSHKOSH. 45 
 
 "How much a man is like his shoes, 
 
 For instance, both a soul may lose. 
 
 Both have been tanned, both are made tight 
 
 By cobblers. Both get left and right; 
 
 Both need a mate to be complete, 
 
 And both are made to go on feet; 
 
 They both need healing; oft are sold, 
 
 and both in time turn all to mould. 
 
 With shoes the last is first; with men 
 
 The first shall be the last, and when 
 
 The shoes wear out they're mended new, 
 
 And when men wear out they're men dead, too. 
 
 They both are trod upon, and both 
 
 Will tread on others, nothing loath. 
 
 Both have their ties, and both incline, 
 
 When polished, in the world to shine; 
 
 And both peg out now would you choose 
 
 To be a man or be his shoes?" 
 
 "Well," exclaimed Mr. Ames, "I didn't 
 think I was so much like my shoes. Who 
 wrote that, Mrs. Erskin? He must have 
 had a fertile brain." 
 
 "I don't know. The author's name was 
 not given. If I could write like that I 
 would certainly claim it." 
 
 Mr. Ames, when his turn came, said: "I 
 have made a study of palmistry, lately. I'll 
 read your hand."
 
 46 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 "If trouble can leave its marks upon the 
 face, as Byron says: 
 
 'The intersected lines of thought, 
 Those furrows which the burning share 
 Of sorrow ploughs untimely there; 
 Scars of the lacerated mind, 
 Which the soul's war doth leave behind,' 
 
 why should not the same effect be produced 
 upon the hands, which are so much more 
 sensitive than the face?" 
 
 "With your leave, Miss Erskin, I'll be- 
 gin with you," taking her left hand as he 
 spoke. 
 
 "Yours is what I call the 'square 
 hand,' the cleverest that exists. Good 
 sense and reasonable egoism are the main 
 features of this type. The general charac- 
 teristics are perseverance, foresight, order, 
 regularity, method, symmetry of form and 
 outline, and discipline. This is the hand 
 of the author." 
 
 "That settles it," interrupted Lavinia, 
 "I shall write a book."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 47 
 
 Continuing, he said: "You are handy 
 with your fingers, tidy in personal appear- 
 ance, and quietly but unostentatiously am- 
 bitious. You are contrary yet yielding, 
 proud yet humble, and full of ginger and 
 snap. You can enjoy more in five minutes 
 than most people; also suffer more. 
 
 "You can execute well; would make a 
 good partner in a law firm. Also a phren- 
 ologist, as you are a good judge of human 
 nature. With study, you would 1 be very 
 good in literature, and the artistic is very 
 highly developed. You like to travel and 
 meet people." 
 
 "These lines indicate fortune or money, 
 and those the loss of two friends one by 
 drowning." 
 
 Lavinia thought of Animi, and won- 
 dered if he had reached Australia. 
 
 "Aside from the future events," Mr. 
 Wiuship said, "you have portrayed Lavin- 
 ia's character correctly."
 
 48 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 The morning found them in Chicago, 
 where Lavinia said good-bye. She was 
 willing to give up a trip to Yellowstone 
 Park and Colorado for a visit to the home 
 of her childhood.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 49 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Write it on your heart that every day is the best 
 day of the year. Emerson. * 
 
 Riding along the shores of Wiunebago, 
 as the train neared Oshkosh, Lavinia 
 looked with pride upon its rising spires, 
 and the laughing waters of the lake never 
 seemed so blue, nor the sky so bright as 
 upon this July night. 
 
 It was indeed a surprise to Chellis, who 
 opened her eyes wide to make sure she 
 wasn't dreaming. 
 
 "Did you come in answer to my letter?" 
 
 After the first greetings, Chellis said, 
 "Now I'll surprise you. I'm going to be 
 married August 1st, and sail the 5th for 
 Paris." 
 
 When Lavinia had sufficiently recovered 
 breath to speak, she said: "Have you really
 
 50 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 decided upon someone at last? Pray who 
 is the happy man?" 
 
 "You remember Eaymond Richardson, 
 don't you? Well, I met him at a 
 large wedding, just before I went to 
 Chicago to study elocution, two years 
 ago. Last June I saw him several 
 times, and as I seemed a little less 
 frigid, he asked me to hear Mary Ander- 
 son at the Auditorium. The next day we 
 went for a ride on the Lake Shore Drive. 
 He said he was going to Europe, and want- 
 ed me to go as his w T ife. 
 
 'Give me until next week to decide/ 
 
 "He replied: 'No, if you wait till then 
 to give me your answer, you'll ask your 
 friends, and they will advise you not to go. 
 This matter only concerns you and me. I 
 want an answer to-night.' 
 
 "Well, Lavinia, I thought if I ever mar- 
 ried, I might as well now. I don't know
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 51 
 
 what made rne, but I said 'Yes,' and ran 
 into the house. 
 
 "What a change one little word often 
 makes in a person's life. My fate was 
 sealed. Two weeks from Wednesday will 
 be the eventful day. I shall have a travel- 
 ing dress and tea-gown, the rest of my 
 trousseau I'll get in Paris. Will only have 
 our relatives not a large wedding and 
 leave directly for New York." 
 
 "You can go with us," Lavinia said. 
 "Mr. Winship and party will call for me 
 and stay one day to see the city; then we 
 can see you on board the steamer in New 
 York." 
 
 "Really, it seems like a fairy-tale, or that 
 I am dreaming you going to Europe on a 
 wedding tour, and I here to the wedding, 
 and it is all so unexpected, too. Truly, 
 ' 'Tis the unexpected that happens.' " 
 
 "Where is Victoria Heathcote?" 
 
 "Oh, she married a Chicago gentleman,
 
 52 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Louis Howard. She went to Chicago for 
 a visit and it was love at first sight. He is 
 very highly educated, speaks five lan- 
 guages. His home was in England, but he 
 came to Chicago ten years ago. His mother 
 died when he was very young, and he was 
 sent to boarding school when only four 
 years old." 
 
 Mr. Winship's private car arrived the 
 day before the wedding, the whole party 
 stopping at the Athearn. 
 
 The gentlemen spent the forenoon in vis- 
 iting the large business firms Paine's 
 sash, door and blind factory, said to be 
 the largest of its kind in the world, and 
 a large carriage factory, as Mr. Winship 
 was interested in that business. In the 
 afternoon Mr. Hale took the party for a 
 cruise along Lake Winnebago and up the 
 Fox River on his steam yacht. He was 
 president of a bank, and interested in sev-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 53 
 
 eral large companies. His mother was a 
 cousin of Mrs. Erskin's. 
 
 Lavinia was anxious to have Geneva see 
 Chellis, as there was such a strong resem- 
 blance between the two girls. 
 
 During their sojourn, Lavinia met Kob- 
 ert Whitney they had known each other 
 as children, and the feeling of friendship 
 had ripened into love, at least, on his part, 
 and when they parted, prior to her removal 
 East, he wished to be engaged; but, of 
 course, Mrs. Erskin said that Lavinia was 
 too 3 r oung. They had written during these 
 years of absence; but the past two years 
 Lavinia's letters were less frequent, and 
 he concluded that she had found someone 
 else, which we know, was true. She once 
 thought that she cared for him, until she 
 met Animi Wright, when she began to 
 realize that her friendship for Robert was 
 only a childish fancy, as compared with 
 her love for Ammi.
 
 54 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Robert, not knowing of her new friend- 
 ship, determined to make another attempt, 
 the sight of her face bringing back all the 
 pleasant memories of their school-days. He 
 learned the truth from her own lips. When 
 she saw the pallor of his face, she felt "an 
 odd little smart, beneath the vest pocket, 
 in what's called the heart," but she told 
 him frankly that it was much better that 
 he know the truth. 
 
 Chellis had a quiet, little church wed- 
 ding, with Lavinia as maid of honor, and 
 Geneva and the rest of the party as guests. 
 
 August 2nd found them on their way to 
 Chicago, where they stopped for a day to 
 see Mrs. Howard, and tried to persuade 
 them to join their party; but Mr. Howard 
 had never fully recovered from the grip, 
 and they were about to start for Old Mexi- 
 co, in the hope of regaining his health, as 
 the physicians said that climate would 
 cure him, if there was any help.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH 55 
 
 The next night proved to be an eventful 
 one. In the dead of night, between Cleve- 
 land and Buffalo, as the train was whiz- 
 zing along- at the rate of sixty miles an 
 hour, suddenly the engineer saw a bright 
 light. At first he thought it was a burn- 
 ing house, but, peering ahead into the 
 darkness, he saw that a fire had been built 
 beside the track. He immediately reversed 
 his engine and stopped within a hundred 
 yards of the bonfire. The bridge had been 
 swept away by a severe rainfall, and only 
 a few feet in front of the engine was the 
 black, yawning gulf. 
 
 An old hermit living just the other side 
 of the bridge, had been out to attend to 
 his honey bees, the wind and the rain hav- 
 ing washed some of the hives away, and, 
 seeing the bridge gone, and of course not 
 being able to get to the other shore, he 
 brought some dry wood from his cabin, 
 and, piling it high, saturated it with kero-
 
 56 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 sene to give a bright light. The road hap- 
 pened to be straight or the engineer prob- 
 ably could not have seen it in time. 
 
 As soon as they discovered that the 
 bridge was gone and that the train must 
 delay for some time, the brakeman seized 
 a red lantern and started back to flag an 
 excursion train that was to follow the fast 
 express. To his horror he saw the head- 
 light, and in a moment there was a crash 
 and the engine plunged into the rear 
 sleeper. The engineer of the excursion 
 train had a stroke of paralysis and fell 
 back aginst the fireman, who immediately 
 seized the lever and took control, but alas! 
 too late; the crash came and the last 
 sleeper was splintered to kindling wood, 
 while three others were partly demolished. 
 Many were wounded and several killed. 
 Mr. Winship's car, being near the engine, 
 was not so badly wrecked. 
 
 Geneva and Lavinia had the berth in the
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 57 
 
 rear end of their car. Geneva was unable 
 to speak and Lavinia was pinned down by 
 heavy timbers and unable to move her 
 body. Her first thought was for her mother 
 and Lucile. Just then someone lighted a 
 match and tried to discover if there were 
 any living among the wreck. It was Tom 
 Tatham, a young Englishman, who was 
 in the forward end of the sleeper following 
 the private car. When the train first 
 stopped he was awakened by the sudden 
 jerk, and, dressing quickly, went out to see 
 what it all meant. He was standing on the 
 platform when the accident occurred and 
 was thrown twenty feet, but fortunately 
 not hurt, only stunned for a moment, and, 
 being quick to act in an emergency, he 
 began to look around for signs of life. 
 
 Lavinia reached up her hand; he imme- 
 diately seized it, but she said, "I can't 
 move till the timbers are cut." He found 
 that she had been thrown partially through
 
 58 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 a broken window and was held by the 
 frame and pieces of the side of the can 
 Seizing a board lying near, he was able 
 by using his greatest strength to loosen 
 the wreck and succeeded in pulling her 
 from the debris. She was unable to stand 
 at first, and lifting her in his arms, he 
 said "Are you much hurt? Are any bones 
 broken ?" 
 
 "No, I think not, only my feet are numb 
 from the weight of those timbers. Just let 
 me sit on the ground for a few minutes 
 and you try to find mother and Lucile." 
 
 He took off his coat and spread it for her 
 to sit on and then began searching for the 
 others. He found Geneva next and pulled 
 her out and laid her beside Lavinia, say- 
 ing: "Perhaps she has only fainted; rub 
 her hands for a few minutes. I have found 
 your mother and sister; they are not hurt, 
 if I can only get them out all right." 
 
 By this time others who escaped injury
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH 59 
 
 had begun the work of rescue, and with 
 their aid Mr. Tatham helped Mrs. Erskin 
 and Lucile and Mrs. Winship and Marie. 
 The other end of their car was not so badly 
 wrecked and Mr. Winship, Mr. Berghardt 
 and Mr. Edmunds had already found the 
 saw and ax, fastened in the car, and were 
 hunting for the rest. Mr. Ames was found 
 buried the deepest of any, with a gash 
 across his cheek and his left arm broken. 
 They carried him where Geneva lay and 
 placed him upon a temporary couch made 
 from coats and blankets, pulled from the 
 wreck. 
 
 Geneva partly opened her eyes, the first 
 sign of returning consciousness, and said: 
 "Are you hurt, too?" 
 
 A messenger had been dispatched to the 
 nearest station and doctors and ambulance 
 wagons soon arrived and conveyed the 
 wounded to the hospital. 
 
 In three days Geneva was as well as
 
 60 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 ever, and Mr. Ames, with his arm in a 
 sling, was able to be moved, so the party, 
 which now numbered one more, was ready 
 to continue the journey. Mr. Winship in- 
 sisted upon Mr. Tatham accompanying 
 them, saying, "You certainly saved La- 
 vinia's life, and now the least we can do 
 is to give you a little pleasure trip." 
 
 "All that I ask is that I may win the 
 life that I saved." 
 
 "Well, come with us to New York; my 
 other private car has already come in re- 
 sponse to a telegram; from there we will 
 all take a sail up the Hudson to West 
 .Point a visit to his alma mater will make 
 Mr. Ames forget his broken arm and cheer 
 up the rest of the party. Then you'll have 
 an equal chance with Mr. Edmunds to win 
 the life you saved." 
 
 It was thus arranged and the party pro- 
 ceeded to New York.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 61 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Our life is March weather, savage and serene in 
 one hour. Emerson. 
 
 Upon arrival in the city they went im- 
 mediately to the steamer "City of Paris" 
 to say "bon voyage" to Mr. and Mrs. Rich- 
 ardson. After returning from the ship 
 they found Mr. Winship's yacht ready for 
 the trip up the Hudson. 
 
 Who that has ever taken a ride up the 
 "Rhine of America" can ever forget the 
 sail? A picture better describes it than 
 words. 
 
 Having read "Miss Bagg's Secretary," a 
 West Point romance, the drives and walks, 
 especially "Flirtation" walk, were much 
 more interesting, and Lavinia almost re- 
 gretted being a woman, as there was no 
 chance of her ever attending school there.
 
 62 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 As they sat on the campus Mr. Ames and 
 Mr. Winship entertained them with stories 
 of their military life. 
 
 "Has this favored spot witnessed other 
 scenes as truly effective and of so much 
 moment to the select few?" ***** 
 
 "In the 'sixties,' at an artillery drill, the 
 fourth class are taking their first lessons 
 in firing with powder; each cadet has his 
 prescribed duty and the instructor cau- 
 tions all that carelessness or neglect of 
 any motion may produce serious accident. 
 With patient care the explanations are re- 
 peated; there are six guns in the battery; 
 the right, or 'first/ piece, is loaded and 
 fired; a shock, a cloud of smoke, which 
 gradually floats away; no accident; the 
 gun's crew feel proud that they have fired 
 the first gun for their class, a step further 
 toward graduation. 
 
 "The other guns are similarly loaded and 
 discharged; these preparations are made
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 63 
 
 and carried out for second and third 
 rounds. Accustomed to the noise, fire and 
 smoke, the cadets engaged relax to some 
 degree their careful attention v to details; 
 perhaps the crowd of pretty girls attracted 
 by the unusual noise to the ground in the 
 rear of the battery may have its influences 
 the girl who attends her first drill, al- 
 ways gives such a charming little scream 
 and jump after the shot and holds her 
 hands over her pink ears during the load- 
 ing to remove them in time to get the full 
 effect of the noise, is a most interesting- 
 sight. Whatever be the occasion, at the 
 fourth round, 'first piece'; 'fire'; 'load'; 'sec- 
 ond piece' ; 'fire' ; 'load' ; 'third piece' ; * * * 
 'cease firing'; * * * The instructor's 
 watchful eye has seen the little tongue of 
 flame rise from the first piece, has seen 
 the slight, black-haired cadet No. 1 spin 
 round and round, his sponge-staff flying 
 through the air. All are startled by the
 
 64 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 unexpected crash from the right of the bat- 
 tery; smoke shuts the view from the spec- 
 tators, but as its fleecy clouds wreath their 
 way quietly upward toward Fort Put- 
 nam a sad group is disclosed, more 
 like real war than mimicry; a smoke- 
 begrimed senseless form w^ith shat- 
 tered arm lies bleeding on the ground, an- 
 other but fortunately rarely occurring vic- 
 tim to neglect of orders. The gun's crew 
 bear away their wounded classmate to* the 
 hospital tent near by. The drill is quickly 
 finished, the horrified spectators melt 
 away, quite despairing at having witnessed 
 such a gruesome sight. Yet the sun shines 
 as before, the clouds float on as peacefully, 
 the river moves on its way as quietly, only 
 two lives are ruined, the ambition of the 
 injured cadet to become a graduate is de- 
 stroyed, the peace of mind of the careless 
 one who made the disaster possible 'has 
 disappeared, leaving behind a horror of it
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 65 
 
 all. Amends are made so far as possible. 
 The injured, a poor boy, an orphan, recov- 
 ers his life, face disfigured, right arm gone, 
 shoulder torn, nerves and health shattered, 
 struggles through the prescribed course, 
 graduates and receives his commission. 
 
 "There are ample funds forthcoming for 
 his comfortable existence, such as it can 
 be; that 'other one' being among the richest 
 in the land. Until death mercifully re- 
 leases the injured and also the other, imag- 
 ine the daily torture of both; words are 
 feeble to express the situation, two monu- 
 ments to one's carelessness." * * * 
 
 Geneva and Lavinia were anxious to see 
 the first class ride; accordingly the party 
 passed the library and thence down the 
 hill toward the depot to a long, low stone 
 building, with a circular roof, which had 
 heretofore escaped their notice. Entering 
 at the side they climb a short, steep stair- 
 way to find themselves in a narrow bal-
 
 66 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 cony, furnished with the plainest of pine 
 chairs. Everything is covered with a fine 
 red dust; looking down the view is most 
 uninviting; a floor of some dark red earth; 
 at each corner of the hall a short post, 
 along the sides other posts, in the center of 
 one side a wooden frame, from an arm of 
 which is suspended a small black ring; on 
 the ground near each post were round red- 
 dish objects, which look like soiled foot- 
 balls. The many windows were festooned 
 with dusty cobwebs; all was so damp, 
 dirty and cheerless that they almost de- 
 cided to leave. 
 
 Suddenly a door, hitherto unnoticed, 
 opened directly opposite them, admitting 
 some forty horses, each in charge of a reg- 
 ular soldier; the horses, saddled and 
 bridled, are ranged in two lines, one at 
 each end of the hall facing the center. A 
 number of men dragged in triangular con- 
 structions of small poles, which they leave
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 67 
 
 near the center of the hall. A large num- 
 ber of ladies, escorted by officers, joined 
 the spectators in the balcony, and, regard- 
 less of dirt, occupied chairs. 
 
 Captain Clarke of the Cavalry then ap- 
 peared, splendidly mounted and looking 
 every inch a soldier who had won fame as 
 a long-distance rider and Indian fighter. A 
 sound of clanking sabres and of marching 
 reached their ears and from below the bal- 
 cony entered some forty men. Could those 
 gray uniformed, dust-stained people, with 
 blue caps held by straps under their chins, 
 with rough belts supporting sabre and 
 pistol, long gauntlets, soiled and worn, be 
 the elegant, natty first class men who are 
 admired on parade and at hops? Entering 
 and dividing into two parties, they took 
 place in front of the horses. The cadet 
 in charge reported, "All present, sir," and 
 took place with one line of cadets. Cap- 
 tain Clarke commanded, "Stand to horse,"
 
 68 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 the regular soldiers retired and each cadet 
 took place at the head of the horse behind 
 him. "Prepare to mount." "Mount." "Form 
 ranks." found every cadet in the saddle; 
 then followed movements in quick succes- 
 sion, which riveted their attention, and all 
 idea of leaving was banished. 
 
 Sabres were drawn and at command a 
 cadet from the right of each line moves 
 out, crosses the hall, his horse trots, gallops 
 and charges madly around the hall; the 
 "balls" which have been placed on the 
 posts are successively knocked off by sabre 
 thrusts or cuts and the ring was impaled 
 on sabre point by each cadet in turn. 
 Saddles were taken off and there were 
 lines of reeking horses on the full run. 
 Cadets dismounted, caught a lock of the 
 mane, mounted, drew pistol, fired at "a 
 head" (as the balls are called), or drew 
 sabre and cut as before. 
 
 Occasionally in mounting a cadet vaults
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 69 
 
 clear over the horse, landing on his head 
 in the dirt; one striking the side of the hall 
 had his jacket torn, and some little red 
 stains showed that blood had been drawn, 
 but the drill went on. After a brief rest 
 the piles of. poles called hurdles were 
 placed perpendicular to the sides of the 
 hall. Each in turn was jumped, the mount- 
 ing and dismounting at a run, firing and 
 sabre thrusting were continued. It was 
 wildly exciting, the horses seemed to enter 
 into the spirit of the affair and plunged 
 and reared. Once a heavy horse caught 
 his foot on a hurdle, fell and turned com- 
 pletely over, pinning to earth his luckless 
 rider, who had no time to get out of the 
 way, the horse clumsily rolled and gained 
 his footing, but the cadet remained still, in 
 a disheveled heap. A halt was ordered, 
 Captain Clarke dismounting, examined the 
 victim and called men to carry him to the 
 hospital, but the drill went on as though
 
 70 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 nothing had happened until the hour was 
 up. The dusty, heated cadets marched 
 away, horses were removed, Captain 
 Clarke touched his cap to the ladies 
 in the balcony and galloped away. 
 Lavinia drew a long breath of re- 
 lief, thankful that only two were injured. 
 Covered and choking with dust, they crept 
 flown stairs to the outer air, forgetful of 
 every discomfort, only remembering that 
 exciting, exhilarating spectacle, "a first 
 class drill at West Point," which Tom said, 
 "Beat any circus." 
 
 Mr. Ferguson took Marie for a stroll 
 down Flirtation walk and they were soon 
 followed by Geneva and Mr. Edmunds, and 
 Tom and Lavinia, leaving the rest of the 
 party seated on a high bank overlooking 
 the river. 
 
 As they wandered along the shady path 
 Tom said abruptly, "Is there any hope for 
 me? Are you free to accept the love I have
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 71 
 
 to give? Pardon my sudden proposal 
 you must have known ere this why I ac- 
 cepted Mr. Winship's invitation, and now 
 I can't go to Newport unless there is some 
 chance of my winning the life that I saved. 
 I claim it as my reward." 
 
 Lavinia hesitated. She was thinking 
 again of Ammi. Would she ever see him 
 again? Did he really care for her? Her 
 thoughts were far away. 
 
 "Speak," Tom cried; "don't keep me in 
 suspense." 
 
 "It is all so sudden," she replied; "it is 
 like a dream. Yes, I am free; the only one 
 I ever really cared for is thousands of 
 miles away. I probably shall never see 
 him again." 
 
 "Then there is hope this is the happiest 
 day of my life," Tom added. 
 
 When they returned it was nearly time 
 for evening dress parade, and the whole 
 party went down early to see everything;
 
 72 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 on reaching the guard tents they found Mr. 
 Hawthorne, their sole cadet acquaintance, 
 who had been waiting for them. He takes 
 camp stools and places them in the center 
 and opposite where, he says, "the colors 
 will rest." They can see in the camp such 
 funny things; cadets with wheelbarrows 
 and brooms carefully cleaning up every 
 scrap of paper, straw and fallen leaf. 
 
 "The plebes are policing," Mr. Haw- 
 thorne says. 
 
 In front of the tents wash bowls are 
 mounted on sticks and many cadets in 
 "white" are preparing for parade. Soon the 
 wash bowls are arranged near the tent 
 floor. Tent walls are pinned down, gray 
 coats are donned, a drum sounds and Mr. 
 Hawthorne, touching his cap, leaves for his 
 company. 
 
 The most gorgeous band, with its still 
 more gorgeous drum major, marches quiet- 
 ly to the front of the grounds. A second
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 73 
 
 drum sounds, four lines of 'gray and white 
 are formed; cadet officers with high 
 plumed hats superintend the roll calls and 
 inspect their companies. 
 
 The band plays and that most beautiful 
 event, "dress parade in camp," is on. 
 
 Adjutant, sergeant, major and two cadet 
 markers indicate the line. The four com- 
 panies simultaneously emerge from the 
 tent lined streets and take position. Cap- 
 tain Clarke, now in full uniform, steps for- 
 ward from the crowd of lookers on, arms 
 are brought to the ground. The band plays 
 grandly down the line and back. Such a 
 picture! throngs of gaily dressed people 
 around us, the red and yellow uniformed 
 band; white and gray immovable lines of 
 cadets, whose bayonets glisten like dia- 
 monds in the last rays of the setting sun; 
 behind are snowy tents embowered in the 
 green foliage; fleecy clouds drifting idly in 
 the bluest of skies; the field battery on
 
 74 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 our right and old Fort Clinton, with its 
 green, grassy slopes, on our left; the scenes 
 and the soul-inspiring music compel silent 
 admiration, which is rudely broken by the 
 crash of the evening gun. 
 
 The camp flag is lowered, the adjutant 
 presents the battalion to the officer in 
 charge, a brief exercise in the manual of 
 arms, all moving together like clock work. 
 The cadet officers, a long line of nodding 
 plumes, approach, salute and retire to 
 their tents; companies are marched to the 
 rear, and Lavinia and Geneva retire from 
 their last parade, but in preparation for 
 the hop, soon banish regret in anticipation 
 of the evening. 
 
 "I don't wonder that men like to be 
 soldiers and wear stripes and brass but- 
 tons," exclaimed Lavinia. "How could you 
 ever leave the army, Mr. Ames? Doesn't 
 it make you lonesome to come back 
 again?"
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 75 
 
 Mr. Hawthorne asked if he "might make 
 ut their card for the hop" that night. 
 They gladly consented, though doubtful as 
 to the results. Their brief stay and having 
 few acquaintances rendered them ignor- 
 ant of the customs, but they were longing 
 for a sight of the new hop room, even if 
 they dance only with their citizen brother, 
 who votes "the Point a most stupid place." 
 
 When the hour arrived they were escort- 
 ed over the wide plain to the beautiful 
 Academic building, w r here the rest of the 
 party were spectators, and Lavinia and 
 Geneva were met by Mr. Hawthorne and a 
 cadet friend and received the promised 
 cards. To their surprise, opposite each 
 dance was the name of a cadet, Mr. Haw- 
 thorne and his friend heading the list. 
 
 They quickly passed to the beautiful 
 high room, with such a slippery floor, and 
 music that would thrill a hermit and force 
 the most ignorant to graceful motion.
 
 76 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Each cadet whose name was on their cards 
 appeared in proper time, here and there 
 extras were introduced and gave oppor- 
 tunity for dancing with such as made re- 
 quest. 
 
 Now and then, to breathe fresh air, brief 
 resort was had to the brilliantly lighted 
 halls, with the many convenient little bal- 
 conies, for those amateur astronomers who 
 could not refrain from stealing away to the 
 enchanting study of the moon and stars. 
 
 From waltz to galop, extra, and sweet- 
 est "reflection," the evening quickly 
 passed. Button trophies were gained, new 
 acquaintances formed; a sudden crash of 
 drums in the hall; a rush for wraps and 
 haste to escape from the building to enjoy 
 that all too short stroll across the moonlit 
 plain to the hotel gate, a brief adieu, again 
 interrupted by that horrid drum, and their 
 visit to West Point was at an end. The 
 mournful bugle notes of "taps" sounded in
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 77 
 
 their ears a fond good-night as well as a 
 last good-bye. 
 
 It was with much reluctance that they 
 boarded the yacht next day, but Mrs. Win- 
 ship was anxious to open the house at 
 Newport it had been closed for so long a 
 time so they headed for the Atlantic and 
 the next day reached Newport. 
 
 As usual, sketching, driving, bathing 
 and horseback riding for Geneva and Mr. 
 Ames occupied the time, and the month of 
 August soon passed. 
 
 August 29th was the party, given by Mr. 
 Winship for the "rescued thirteen." The 
 decorations were in yellow golden rod 
 and roses that Lavinia declared must have 
 come from King Midas' garden. "They cer- 
 tainly have had the golden touch," she 
 said. "One could easily imagine this the 
 garden itself." The weather had been so 
 warm that they decided a garden party 
 was more apropos and canvas had been
 
 78 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 spread at one side and everything done that 
 could lend a charm. 
 
 This had been a week of gayety and the 
 night after the party, as all were unusually 
 tired, the whole household retired early 
 and at eleven P. M. all was still. 
 
 Shortly after the little French clock 
 chimed one, Lavinia was roused from a 
 sound sleep by a faint gleam of light from 
 a dark lantern and a hand upon her shoul- 
 der. She was so bewildered at being thus 
 suddenly awakened that before she real- 
 ized the situation a muffled voice said, 
 "To speak is instant death." 
 
 Pointing a revolver at her head he con- 
 tinued, "Come with me." 
 
 "Oh! don't make me go," but he was de- 
 termined and said, "The others are asleep 
 from chloroform. Come, or before I count 
 three you are a dead girl. One two 
 but Lavinia began to rise. Only last June 
 she had inquired with "Mallock," "Is life
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 79 
 
 worth living?" but now that her life had 
 been so mercifully spared she didn't care 
 to lose it. 
 
 "What must I do?" 
 
 "Just keep still and show me where the 
 silver and valuables are, and I will escort 
 you back to your room. You take the 
 lead." 
 
 With faltering footsteps she started to- 
 wards the vault containing the jewels. She 
 knew the time-lock, as she had often 
 opened it for Mrs. Winship when she was 
 dressing for a party, and would say, "Get 
 my necklace, Lavinia." 
 
 After taking all this safe contained Mr. 
 Burglar said, "Now to the dining-room." 
 
 She thought of pushing the buttons of 
 the burglar alarm, that lighted all the 
 rooms in the house at once, but she seemed 
 as under a spell, not fearless and resolute 
 as usual. What could, it be? He made a
 
 80 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 few more passes with his hand she had 
 been hypnotized by him. 
 
 Proceeding to the dining-room, she told 
 him the numbers to unlock the large vault 
 made in the wall, where they kept all the 
 extra silver plate. Among the pieces was 
 a child's set, server, plate, cup and spoon, 
 with the initials set with diamonds. La- 
 vinia told him that belonged to Mrs. Win- 
 ship's only child, who died when three 
 years old. "Well," he said, "I don't want 
 anything that belongs to dead people; I'll 
 put that back. I have great respect for the 
 dead more than I have for the living. My 
 good mother is dead and if she sees me 
 now it will cause her to weep; she died 
 when I was only ten, or I would be in dif- 
 ferent business to-night. She taught me 
 to be good, but after she was gone my fa- 
 ther went to sea and left me with a maiden 
 aunt. I got into bad company it's the old 
 story well, enough. Thank you for your
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 81 
 
 kindness in showing me about; now I'll 
 light you back to your room." 
 
 "But I don't see how you could get in, 
 with a private policeman in front of the 
 house," Lavinia said. 
 
 "Why, I came to the party last night; 
 the men at the gates thought I was a 
 coachman; in the rush I managed to steal 
 up the back stairs and remained in a 
 closet on the third floor all day, and here 
 I am!" 
 
 When she reached her door he said fare- 
 well and waved his hand. 
 
 The night was dark, for a storm had 
 been gathering, and as Mr. Burglar went 
 through the conservatories the storm burst 
 in all its fury and the lightning was almost 
 incessant. Fearing the storm might waken 
 some one in the house, he thought he had 
 better be going. There was a glass door 
 that opened from the conservatories on to 
 the lawn. Just as he opened the door there
 
 82 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 was a terrific crash and he staggered for 
 a moment, almost stunned; but, soon re- 
 covering, he darted down the steps, think- 
 ing, "I must not loiter or the game is up." 
 
 Instead of going out through the shrub- 
 bery he thought it was safe to make his 
 retreat through the carriage drive; surely 
 no one was out in such a storm. 
 
 As he sprang over the low iron fence he 
 stumbled over something; stopping to see 
 what it could be, he found the prostrate 
 form of the private policeman who pa- 
 troled around the square occupied by Mr. 
 Win ship's yard. He had been killed by 
 the lightning that stunned the burglar. 
 Placing him against the fence he hurried 
 on. 
 
 The servant who came in to prepare the 
 table for breakfast was the first to discover 
 the burglary; when she saw all the silver 
 was gone she exclaimed, "See what the 
 storm did last night!" She pressed the bell
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 83 
 
 in Mrs. Winship's room, and, receiving an 
 answer, called up through the speaking- 
 tube, "Ma'am, the silver was blown away 
 last night." 
 
 Hurrying down, Mrs. Winship found 
 that burglars had visited them; the vault 
 rifled of its most valuable small pieces and 
 her jewel case empty. She immediately 
 called Mr. Winship, saying, "Telephone 
 the police; our valuables are gone." 
 
 She touched the bells to the rooms of 
 the different guests and soon they came 
 in response to what they supposed to be 
 the breakfast bell. 
 
 In the excitement of the moment no one 
 noticed that all had not come, until Tom 
 and Mrs. Erskin exclaimed in almost one 
 breath, "Where is Lavinia?" and Marie 
 started upstairs with a bound, closely fol- 
 lowed by Mrs. Erskin. 
 
 "I hope the burglar didn't carry her off, 
 too." Marie found her apparently asleep,
 
 84 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 but none of their efforts seemed to rouse 
 her. Dr. Ferguson was called, but, having 
 just heard about the policeman, he thought 
 she was stunned by the same stroke. 
 
 Mr. Winship said to Mr. Ferguson, "Tom 
 has saved her life; now here is your 
 chance." After a careful examination he 
 said she appeared to be recovering from 
 hypnotic influence. 
 
 It was several days before she could talk 
 about the subject; they were much inter- 
 ested in her conversation with the burglar. 
 
 She had been walking in the garden 
 with Tom, and as they came up the steps 
 entering the conservatories, the glass door 
 being slightly ajar, she exclaimed, "Oh! 
 there's my burglar!" 
 
 "Where?" said Tom; "I don't see any- 
 one." The image was on the glass; it 
 showed the hat and face very plainly at a 
 certain angle, but when the door was closed 
 it wasn't visible.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. S5 
 
 Lavinia wondered how it could have hap- 
 pened, but when the others came Mr. Ames, 
 who was a good electrician, explained that 
 it was an electric photograph, probably 
 done by the same stroke that killed the 
 policeman. 
 
 From this strange likeness detectives 
 soon discovered the thief before he got far- 
 ther than Chicago. 
 
 It had been a summer of strange expe- 
 riences especially for Lavinia "savage 
 and serene in one hour." 
 
 The middle of September found her and 
 Geneva back at college; Mr. Ames returned 
 to the Vendome, in Boston; Mr. Ferguson 
 at Yale, and Tom in New York.
 
 86 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 To have lived through all its sunny days seems 
 longevity enough. Emerson. 
 
 " 'Come, little leaves,' said the wind, one day, 
 ' Come over the meadows with me and play; 
 Put on your dresses of red and gold, 
 Summer is gone and the days grow cold.' " 
 
 In October Lavinia had the pleasure of 
 attending a presidential reception, for Mrs. 
 Harrison and Mrs. McKee, at the Wood- 
 land Park hotel, a very popular summer 
 resort near Boston, where they were stop- 
 ping. 
 
 This was quite an event in her life, as it 
 was the first time she had had the pleasure 
 of shaking hands with the president's 
 party. Mrs. McKee was so cordial, she 
 wore such a happy smile and beside the 
 handshake she said, "I am pleased to meet 
 you," but Mrs. Harrison merely shook
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 87 
 
 hands and wore such a wearied and bored 
 expression that Lavinia thought what a 
 difference between mother and daughter! 
 
 COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT 
 
 To The 
 PRESIDENTIAL PARTY 
 
 By The 
 MESSIEURS GOLDSTEIN 
 
 Of The 
 
 Boston Symphony Orchestra, 
 Assisted by Miss Mae Shepherd, 
 
 Prima Donna and Pianist. 
 Mrs. H. E. Wright, Accompanist. 
 Friday Evening, October 2d, 188 
 at 8:15. 
 
 RECEPTION: TO MEET 
 
 MRS. HARRISON, 
 
 MR. AND MRS. M'KEE, 
 
 FRIDAY P. M., 7:30 TO 8:15, 
 THE WOODLAND PARK. 
 
 The program was very interesting. 
 
 Violin solo, Mazurka Fantastique E. S. Goldstein 
 
 Mr. E. S. Goldstein. 
 
 Grand duo for violin and contrebasse Bottesini 
 
 Messieurs A. and S. E. Goldstein. 
 
 a. All is Quiet Spohr 
 
 b. Herbsfruhlingslied.
 
 88 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 c. Fruhlingslied O. Weil 
 
 Miss Mae Shepherd. 
 
 Fantasie pour contrebasse A. Goldstein 
 
 Mr. A. Goldstein. 
 Solo for violin 
 
 a. Nocturne de Chopin Sarasate 
 
 b. Bolero Rugali 
 
 Mr. S. E. Goldstein. 
 
 Just before Thanksgiving Lavinia re- 
 ceived a letter from Mr. Ames, containing 
 an invitation to dinner in memory of the 
 accident. 
 
 "Vendome," Boston, Nov. 13, 188. 
 
 Early in the history of our country, about the 
 time of John Smith, or at least ever and ever so long 
 ago, I had hoped to have the pleasure of discussing 
 with Miss Graham, Miss Winship and yourself, the 
 topics of the day over a dinner table, without for- 
 mality, and now I ask it in behalf of the "Rescued 
 Thirteen." 
 
 Time has crept on apace and it would seem that 
 before the comet has turned us all green or blue, 
 we might, if convenient and agreeable to the ladies, 
 make an attempt to meet. Will Wednesday, Nov. 
 23rd, be available? If "yes," I shall trust to Miss 
 Winship to inform me at what hour I may find the 
 ladies. If "no," with great disappointment I shall 
 subsist on "crow," Nov. 24th, postponing my struggles 
 with the "National bird," until my hopes may be 
 realized. Very sincerely, 
 
 E. G. AMES.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 89 
 
 One of Lavinia's little friends, whose 
 papa was minister to Japan, sent her a 
 little butterfly of rare design. By means 
 of a little spring it would alight wherever 
 you put it. She sent to little Emily for a 
 dezen, as souvenirs for the "Rescued Thir- 
 teen." 
 
 Mr. Ames, upon receiving his, sent the 
 following reply: 
 
 "Vendome," Boston, Dec. 3, 188 . 
 My Dear Miss Erskin: 
 
 In these "piping times of peace," at this "Xmas 
 season," surprises may be expected; but to me the 
 greatest was the arrival of that dear little work of 
 art, from that mysterious isle which has ever had 
 for me a peculiar interest, which I found yesterday 
 awaiting the cordial welcome which it deservedly re- 
 ceived, not alone for its beauty of form and skillful 
 construction but especially because of the denor, to 
 whom I am sincerely indebted, and I beg you to be- 
 lieve that even if rarely worn in public it will be 
 ever prized by Yours very truly, 
 
 E. G. AMES. 
 
 Accompanying the letter were these 
 verses :
 
 90 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 "A butterfly all bright and gold, 
 
 To me hath sudden flown; 
 In his fair image I behold 
 
 One lovely as his own." 
 
 "Winged reveller of the glowing eve, 
 Born in the sunset beam to weave 
 
 Thy evolutions airy; 
 One in a maze of living gems, 
 Bright as in fairy diadems, 
 
 Thyself a dancing fairy." 
 
 "Thy joyous gambols as I see 
 Fair Fly, I'd almost wish to be 
 Such thing of brief duration; 
 To sport like thee, one little day 
 Nor pass through years of slow decay 
 To reach Life's termination." 
 
 "The tissued wing its folded membrane frees, 
 And with blithe quavers fans the gathering breeze; 
 Elate, toward heaven the beauteous wonder flies 
 And leaves this mortal wrapt in deep surprise." 
 
 Xmas eve Lavinia received a morocco 
 purse, with two silver butterflies for a lid, 
 and a card 
 
 "In wintry weather, 
 When friends together enjoy feast days, 
 
 Butter flies. 
 In Xmas seasons, 
 
 For kindly reasons, in many ways 
 Money flies."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 91 
 
 She, of course, knew who sent it. 
 
 Although a busy year, Lavinia found 
 time to write Tom and Mr. Edmunds; 
 Tom's letters were bright, but she rather 
 liked Mr. Edmund's the better of the two. 
 Tom was an Englishman; his parents lived 
 in London, but he had lived in New York 
 five years. 
 
 New York, Jan. 13, 188. 
 Dear Lavinia: 
 
 I see by your last letter that your conscience has 
 been troubling you. Well I must say that relieves 
 me quite a little, for I had begun to think that there 
 was not much conscience in the case. Glad to see 
 that "Ships That Pass In the Night," are not all priva- 
 teers. 
 
 It seems to me that I have met and passed these 
 ships all my life, in my rambles up and down the 
 earth, though I must say I was just a little disap- 
 pointed in the ending of the book, yet I suppose it is 
 going on just in that way every day, in real life. 
 
 I have not read "The Man From Oshkosh," but 
 think I should be more interested in the "Girl" from 
 Oshkosh. I think she would be fine, as the Scotch 
 say. That reminds me, I have just read "The Little 
 Minister" it's a Scotch story and depicts the char- 
 acter of the Scotch weaving towns, that is the hand 
 loom weaving towns, that I have visited and have
 
 92 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 heard the quaint remarks from the elders of the 
 Kirk, such as, "He'll jock ainee gee that song oout." 
 
 A little incident occurred while on my way to 
 the Kirk, in one of the suburbs of Glasgow. I was 
 living right in the city and had about three miles 
 to walk. While going along one of the main streets, 
 I whistled the anthem as I thought to myself. I met 
 a crowd of Scotch lasses and they heard me for one 
 made the remark, "Deyee hear him whozzle on the 
 Sabbath!" 
 
 I have never seen the "Bishop of Oxford's Riddle," 
 but have seen the old gent himself, the last time I 
 went to see the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. 
 
 While we are on the subject of boating I may 
 say that I have thought of visiting my home again; 
 but I know that my people will want me to stay, 
 and I like this country just as well. I never was 
 much of a Royalist, yet I like "Merrie England," with 
 all her eld customs at Xmas, and I think you would, 
 too, it is so very different here, at that festal season, 
 especially to lovers of good oratorio music. It carries 
 the soul far above the spheres then you can under- 
 stand a composer of such music, being an inspired 
 man. I would like you to hear "The Messiah," by 
 Handel, in Westminster Abbey, on Xmas morning. 
 You feel like staying in there with the composers 
 and poets, even though they are only marble and 
 bronze. 
 
 You speak of Noah, being the first to use elec- 
 tricity, when he made the "arc light" on Mt. Ararat. 
 I see the Electrical Review, but nowhere do I find 
 an account of his adventure or even an article from 
 him. I suppose I shall have to accept it "on faith"
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 93 
 
 like the old Dominie, who was reading about Lot's 
 wife and turned over several pages instead of one, 
 and got to the description of the Ark so many cubits 
 long, high and wide. "Well friends," he said, "I 
 have never seen that description of Lot's wife be- 
 fore, but must accept it on faith." 
 I hope to visit Boston next Sunday. 
 
 Yours, TOM.
 
 94 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 "What is man? A crying baby, 
 Vainly grieves and strives and frets; 
 Wanting all, deserving nothing, 
 One small grave is what he gets." 
 
 Just after the holidays, when the gTound 
 was white and the cold north wind 
 whistled through the leafless trees, the 
 angel of death beckoned his snowy finger 
 and called Mr. Winship to the great be- 
 yond. It was Tery sudden; Xmas eve, at 
 a family party, he seemed the gayest of 
 them all, but in three short weeks the 
 grim destroyer felled him in the prime of 
 life a strong, healthy man, with his life 
 work still unfinished. 
 
 It was the first link in the chain of the 
 "Rescued Thirteen." 
 
 Mrs. Erskin and Lavinia were very much
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 95 
 
 grieved upon receiving the news of his 
 death. 
 
 His rnotto had always been, "Do all the 
 good you can and have all the pleasure you 
 can, for remember you'll be a long time 
 dead." 
 
 It was well that he had enjoyed life and 
 done good to his fellow men, as death 
 came at the age of fifty-three. The world 
 moves on apace! there is always some one 
 to take up life's responsibilities where we 
 left them we are scarcely missed more 
 than a falling star a great and good man 
 like Mr. Winship is soon forgotten in the 
 busy rush of the "madding crowd," except 
 by the relatives and intimate friends of the 
 family. 
 
 It was a long winter, but finally the 
 balmy days of May came, "with May flow- 
 ers' breath and insects' hum," and after a 
 year of hard study Lavinia was ready for 
 outdoor sports.
 
 96 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 She played so well that she was chosen 
 as one of the tennis tournament between 
 the Wellesley and Annex girls. 
 
 Among those who came to witness the 
 game was Lell Leland, a brother of one of 
 the Wellesley girls. He was, of course, in- 
 terested in the Wellesley team, hoping they 
 would win the laurels, but they were so 
 badly beaten that he said he wished to 
 know the girls who played so well, espe- 
 cially the one in white. He devoted him- 
 self to Lavinia the rest of the day and re- 
 mained till Sunday eve, taking a late train 
 for New Haven. He was to graduate from 
 Yale, the same day as Lavinia's gradua- 
 tion. 
 
 He found that he had met her before in 
 Oshkosh, at Chellis's wedding, and taken 
 her for a drive. Finding they were to grad- 
 uate the same day, he begged to see her 
 essay, promising to send his.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 97 
 
 New Haven, Conn., June 3, 188 . 
 My Dear Miss Erskin: 
 
 You will find below a copy of my Salutatory, 
 which, I believe I partly promised to send you, simply 
 for the privilege accorded me of reading a few sen- 
 tences of your finely written essay. Thus my prom- 
 ise is kept, and it seems to me that you ought kindly 
 to send me a complete copy of your interesting pro- 
 duction. Be just and be generous. 
 Very Sincerely, 
 
 LELL LELAND. 
 
 SALUTATORY. 
 
 Standing between the life of preparation and the 
 life of action, we speak to you our final greeting. 
 Behind us is the narrow enclosure of college disci- 
 pline, before us, the limitless future, filled with bright 
 hopes and grand possibilities. 
 
 With the material which we have gathered in 
 four years' assiduous mental labor, we purpose to 
 erect beautiful, symmetrical edifices of useful lives. 
 Our hands are willing, our hearts eager. The diffi- 
 culties are many and great; countless unmarked 
 graves which have furrowed this green earth and 
 beneath whose verdant sod lies the dust of many 
 who lived and toiled in vain, proclaim the melancholy 
 failures of many burning hearts; nevertheless, we de- 
 spair not. The star in the East which determines 
 our course is not Fame; this is but a comet of tran- 
 sient brilliancy, it soon fades away and leaves its 
 followers in bewildering darkness. 
 
 We are guided by a star, whose clear, pure light 
 shines upon the happy immortals: Utility. To be of
 
 98 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 use in this world is our aim. Unblest by genius, un- 
 curst by power, we strive to make glad the waste 
 places of earth and to put a new song into saddened 
 hearts. 
 
 Small, almost insignificant duties, unceasingly per- 
 formed, will accomplish this. Every moment is preg- 
 nant with great possibilities. To give these birth, to 
 transform them into realities, is our work and the 
 work of all earnest souls. The opportunities are num- 
 berless and God is best worshipped by our full im- 
 provement of them. Thus work is worship, and every 
 life should be ceaseless worship to the one God. 
 
 Prepared thus for life's duties, we stand at its 
 commencement and look hopefully into the future. 
 Evanescent shadows may flit across the landscape of 
 our lives; but the glad sunlight will appear brighter 
 from the contrast. 
 
 Heaven forbid that our courage should ever fail! 
 Or that life should ever be else than God-given hap- 
 piness! Having declared our aims and hopes, we 
 again greet you; and God grant that we may greet 
 you beyond the dark river's brim! 
 
 In a few days a letter came. 
 
 New Haven, Conn., June 13, 188 . 
 My Dear Miss Erskin: 
 
 Will you grant me the pleasure of your company 
 at Rev. Joseph Cook's lecture on the evening of the 
 29th? If you accept the invitation please inform me 
 as soon as possible that I may make arrangements 
 accordingly. Is the mystery of the two reserved seats 
 now solved? 
 
 I presume that I ought to close this epistle here,
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 99 
 
 with a short vale; but as I enjoy epistolography, with 
 your leave, I will continue. 
 
 It is not necessary that I ask you to remind me 
 of our drive, along Lake Winnebago; that is one of 
 the chief accessories of memory's picture of Oshkosn 
 a picture whose central figure is the possessor of 
 those fair eyes, which, with difficulty, decipher these 
 fast-appearing words or plainly speaking, a picture 
 bearing the face of Lavinia, which means "pure." 
 Therefore did I write in thy album, "Keep thy heart 
 pure," or "Keep thy heart, Lavinia," and I repeat 
 the injunction with an appendix; "Keep thy heart 
 until exchanged." Will you exchange with me not 
 hearts but pictures? 
 
 What a beggar I am! Here are two requests in 
 one letter, separated only by thin paper, for they 
 are exactly opposite look and see. 
 
 Here I am writing to you as if you were a regu- 
 lar correspondent, asking you all manner of ques- 
 tions. I humbly beg your pardon. Pray forgive me 
 thou 
 
 "Sweetest note in seraph's song, 
 Sweetest name on mortal tongue." 
 
 How that song runs in my mind! The boys 
 thought that I had developed my musical abilities 
 while in Oshkosn; but I did not, for I have none to 
 develop. 
 
 It is growing late. The frogs croak musically out 
 of doors, their beautiful harmony being broken at 
 intervals by the discordant barking of some sleepless 
 cur. But above all other noises I can always hear 
 the dam, roaring about a mile away. 
 
 It is very pleasant, listening to such sounds of
 
 100 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Nature's production. How horrible, in comparison, 
 is the screech of those "awful Oshkosh whistles." 
 No wonder I thought your singing was very fine. 
 Yet I must not ridicule Oshkosh. If I do I can 
 imagine one little fair-faced maiden rising up in aw- 
 ful wrath and condemning me. 
 
 You must pardon me for sending you so long and 
 so poorly written a letter. 
 
 I suppose it will be impossible to offend you more; 
 yet, if it is possible, I will add the straw to break 
 the camel's back of forbearance. Will you correspond 
 with me regularly? 
 
 This makes three important requests. I wish I 
 could think of another, but I cannot. 
 
 Very Sincerely, LELL LELAND. 
 
 Lavinia's reply was "no" to each of the 
 requests. 
 
 "Another letter from Tom," said Mrs. 
 Erskin, as she handed Lavinia an envelope 
 bearing the New York postmark. 
 
 New York, N. Y., 188 
 My Friend of Friends: 
 
 The twilight shadows are closing down upon 
 mother earth, and sending their long, slender creepers 
 into many a corner, up many a wall, and just now 
 the last reflected ray of old Sol, falling across the floor 
 of my sanctum sanctorum, has been chased out 
 through the open window and the dart of yellow, 
 gold light, brightening the dull figures in the car-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 101 
 
 pet for a moment, is gone whither we know not its 
 mission fulfilled, its duty done. 
 
 But does it leave behind a brighter pathway, are 
 the figures more discernible? No! the dim outline of 
 that seen so distinctly but a moment since, now is 
 barely recognizable. 
 
 Thy presence brought that ray of sunlight to 
 brighten a life desolate; at thy departure the light 
 vanished and in its stead Egyptian darkness reigns 
 so dark that I shudder. Ugh! 
 
 Had not "Marionettes" arrived what! I know 
 not. I read the little chapter and must confess it 
 very pretty, so straightforward, so frank. I admire 
 him I admire her, I, I I admire you! Does it sur- 
 prise you to know that? Ha! Do I see you smile? 
 Yes, I do. For it indeed required an effort to write 
 the above. 'Tis easier by far to tell a falsehood than 
 the plain, unvarnished truth had I really been jest- 
 ing, there would have been no hesitating; but friend, 
 I told you many times during my short sojourn in 
 Newport and Cambridge, the same very hesitatingly 
 (truthfully). 
 
 You remember how I hung my head, and blushed 
 from the soles of my diminutive feet to the crown 
 of my head and then reversing from the roots of 
 my hair to the soles of my feet. 
 
 Could you then, way down deep in your petrified 
 cardiac organ believe me false? believe poor, inno- 
 cent me capable of telling a lie? (George Washing- 
 ton.) Do you not on perusal of these lines think 
 me incapable of wrong doing? 
 
 I will not trouble you for the answers to these 
 questions, for fear my good opinion of myself might
 
 102 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 receive from your hand a sad rebuke. How badly 
 I should feel! 
 
 But, passing to other things, what has happened 
 in the three long days, the last of which has now 
 deepened into the night nothing of moment has 
 transpired. Yesterday that good cousin of yours, the 
 camera, a muskmelon and your correspondent drove 
 down to Campbell's Point and there under the wide- 
 spreading trees we breathed into our lungs pure pine 
 air from the forests of Canada, while into our stom- 
 achs went the golden-hued melon. 
 
 A picture here, a picture there, another slice of 
 melon and after two hours, a ride home. We rated 
 it a pleasant afternoon but what did it lack to make 
 it a "perfect afternoon?" Your presence. 
 
 We have counted on going to Dexter and up the 
 river some day wish you were here to accompany us. 
 Nevertheless it will not bring you, so we will not 
 indulge in it further. 
 
 I will leave you now rather abruptly, with Bob's 
 kindest regards and also mine just a little exag- 
 gerated. Hoping a word from you soon. Thanks for 
 Marionettes. Good night, TOM.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 103 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 We have once met, we may sometime meet again. 
 A Chinese Proverb. 
 
 Lavinia had been corresponding with 
 Earl Edmunds the past winter, while he 
 had been traveling in the South. 
 
 She received a letter saying that he 
 hoped to see her the last of June, and she 
 replied to his note, telling him to come 
 the 23rd, but received no answer. She 
 wondered why. One day he came unex- 
 pectedly and said he was going to Africa 
 to be gone a year would sail Saturday 
 from New York. 
 
 It was the queerest call no explanation 
 was made on either side but it was solved 
 when, in August, Lavinia received her let- 
 ter from the "dead letter" office. As he 
 didn't get it, of course he thought she
 
 104 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 didn't care to have Mm come. He resolved 
 to see her, if but for a moment, and, think- 
 ing that there was some hope, he wrote her 
 from New York the day before he sailed, 
 giving her his London address and asking 
 her to write him. 
 
 From Dublin she received the following: 
 
 Dublin, Ireland, July 18, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia: 
 
 The brightest of letters with the nicest of writers 
 pictured in miniature, brings happiness to its recip- 
 ient and demands both an early and a grateful ac- 
 knowledgment. Thanks for your picture. 
 
 I think you are wise to spend your vacation in 
 Boston, for that is your home, more than anywhere 
 else, although strictly speaking, you are like myself, 
 without a real home. However, as long as our moth- 
 ers live, we may be sure there is one heart that al- 
 ways beats for each of us, and one place where each 
 of us will be always welcome. 
 
 I was interested in your description of Villa Stan- 
 hope. Such places are delightful away from the city, 
 in the summer time. I have always intended if I 
 lived just as I wanted to, having a nice place in the 
 country, beside some lake or river. But a-las, for our 
 ideals! still I haven't given that one up. I shall real- 
 ize it some day. 
 
 I think you would be happy and contented in al- 
 most any place; I notice that you are always cheerful,
 
 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 105 
 
 certainly an invaluable quality for yourself and your 
 friends. 
 
 I landed in Queenstown July 2nd, and have been 
 diligently sight-seeing ever since. I went through 
 representative portions of Scotland and England, rap- 
 idly of course, but still I saw nearly all of interest, 
 and am now in the Emerald Isle. I will say in pass- 
 ing that I do not intend this trip to be the last or 
 most exhaustive one to Europe. I hope at some fu- 
 ture time to come again with friends, and see more 
 and stay longer than now. 
 
 "What have I seen most interesting?" you will 
 ask. I would say, first, the relics of Shakespeare at 
 Stratford on Avon, then the home of Sir Walter Scott, 
 at Abbottsford, and Wordsworth, at Rydal Mt. 
 
 I met the smartest business man, in this hotel, 
 coming down to his breakfast each morning at nine 
 o'clock. While drinking his "nourishing" stout at 
 table d' hote, he tells me he has traveled all over 
 the states, Kentucky and Chicago being especially 
 admired by him. He says, "I cannot understand why 
 a country so prosperous as yours permits such lawless 
 strikes. There must be some serious flaw in your 
 government that allows such doings. Can it not be 
 remedied?" Our party, hearing his conversation, 
 looked with alarm at the American cablegrams on the 
 bulletin boards, and wondered if "sweet land of lib- 
 erty," so often sung, is a parody, meaning a license 
 to do evil. I asked myself the question, "who or how 
 many are responsible for this derangement of our 
 social conditions which the old world is so zealously 
 commenting on." 
 
 You are having a vacation now, so you have time
 
 106 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 to write me and I wish you would do so. I will value 
 your letters highly. From here I go to Paris, Vienna, 
 Dresden, Rome, Naples, Vesuvius, and thence to the 
 Lotus flowers of the Nile. Forgive these rambles in 
 ink and believe me, Yours sincerely, 
 
 EARL EDMUNDS. 
 
 Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 13, 188. 
 Dear Mr. Edmunds: 
 
 "Tempus fugit" is not half forcible enough to ex- 
 press the rapidity with which the summer has flown. 
 "Father Time, your footsteps go 
 
 Lightly as the falling snow." 
 
 Are you familiar with the poem, "In Time's 
 Swing," by Lucy Larcom? I think it is a gem. 
 
 "Slower now, for at my side 
 White pond lilies open wide. 
 They are gone. The golden rod 
 Flashes from the dark green sod. 
 Crickets in the grass I hear, 
 Asters light the fading year." 
 
 I can't realize that the summer is nearly gone and 
 that you will sail in October. 
 
 Was much interested in your description of your 
 travels. I hope you will be careful and not fall in 
 the river Seine, while in Paris, or as the man said, 
 "You would be in Seine (inSane)." 
 
 I suppose you have heard about the old lady, who 
 was asked how she liked Venice. "Oh," she said, "it's 
 a pretty city; but just before I was there they had 
 had a flood."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 107 
 
 Have you seen Chellis in Paris? She writes that 
 one night the electric lights in their house went out 
 and left them in total darkness, and she wished I 
 were there. She must think I am very bright, if I 
 could take the place of an electric light. 
 
 Pardon a short letter we start for Newport to- 
 day, will write again soon. We hope v to drive home 
 from Newport in September while you are enjoying 
 Italy's sunny skies, think of us as enjoying an au- 
 tumn in New England. 
 
 Yours sincerely, LAVINIA. 
 
 Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 15, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia: 
 
 On arrival in Cairo I find several letters awaiting 
 me, including the one from the dead letter office. 
 Many thanks for them, I had begun to think you 
 had forgotten me. Correspondence to Europe I find 
 rather trying, many of my letters go astray and oth- 
 ers are delayed for weeks, turning up in the most 
 unexpected way. I visit so many places, it is diffi- 
 cult to have letters forwarded with success. 
 
 In Italy I found a cloudless sky. I had antici- 
 pated considerable pleasure in wandering along the 
 blue Mediterranean and was not disappointed. I often 
 think of you with pleasant anticipation of the time 
 when I shall see you again. 
 
 I believe you requested me not to get in the river 
 Seine or I would be "insane." I see that your fancy 
 still "lightly turns to thoughts of puns," for which 
 you have considerable talent. In this case, however, 
 you are slightly at fault the pronunciation of Seine 
 is Senn I would therefore suggest that if I were to 
 fall in the river I would be "in-Senn-sible."
 
 108 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 I staid in Paris a month and made it a duty to 
 see some sight every day. I go to the opera occa- 
 sionally the opera house is the finest in the world. 
 
 I enjoyed Vesuvius as much as any of the places 
 visited. 'Tis awe-inspiring to stand on a roof of the 
 world and gaze down into one of the chimneys of 
 the earth. 
 
 I had thought to stay two years, but will not do 
 so now and hope to return in the early spring. 
 
 "The day we celebrate" has just passed; 'tis 
 lonely, indeed, to be among strangers in a foreign 
 clime, at such a season, and sigh for home and the 
 pleasant gathering of loved ones around the hearth- 
 fire, to say nothing of the recollections of grand- 
 mother's plum pudding and mince pie the "great 
 American desert." 
 
 May the day with you have been wholly enjoy- 
 able, not more pleasant in anticipation than in reality 
 and retrospect. 
 
 But Thanksgiving is over, New Year's and Leap 
 Year are all at hand. May they leave us (you and I, 
 as the French say) happier, better and more com- 
 fortable than they find us. 
 
 I shall return to my native land with pleasure; 
 but intending to see Europe again. I shall think more 
 highly than ever of our own people and institutions; 
 but still finding an endless fund of interest in these 
 old and varied regions. 
 
 Hoping to see you shortly after my arrival, I am 
 Sincerely, 
 
 EARL EDMUNDS.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 109 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 "Hast not thy share? On winged feet 
 Lo! it rushes thee to meet; 
 And all that nature made thy own 
 Floating in air or pent in stone, 
 Will rive the hills and swim the sea 
 And, like thy shadow, follow thee." 
 
 Try just as far as possible to find the pleasure 
 of your life, in the work to which it has been settled 
 that your life must be given. Make it delightful by 
 the affections which cluster around it, -by the help 
 which you are able through it, to give to other peo- 
 ple, by the education which your own faculties are 
 getting out of it. Phillips Brooks. 
 
 After leaving college Lavinia and Gen- 
 eva had to be separated, Geneva going to 
 New York as private secretary to Mr. Whit- 
 ney, while Lavinia became editor of the 
 woman's department of the Herald, as she 
 wished to remain at home with her mother. 
 
 Mr. Edmunds returned from Europe in 
 Februarv and came to see Lavinia at once.
 
 110 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 They spent many pleasant hours riding, 
 driving and boating, but Lavinia could not 
 forget Ammi her love for him triumphed 
 in the end, as true love always does, for 
 " 'Tis love that makes the world go round," 
 and, although a poor man, she preferred 
 his love to the position and rank offered 
 by Mr. Edmunds, the son of the late min- 
 ister to France. 
 
 Geneva was the only one in whom La- 
 vinia confided her romance. 
 
 New York, April 13, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia: 
 
 Some one has said that an unfailing source of 
 pleasant meditation and profitable study may be 
 found in these words of Prof. Drummond's: "There 
 are but three simple elements in life, and they are 
 fitly illustrated in Millet's Angelus. They are work, 
 the presence of God, and love." With me the abund- 
 ance of the first element almost crowds out the other 
 two, for of late I can find little time for anything ex- 
 cept the stern realities of life. 
 
 How seemingly ungrateful I am a letter so full 
 of poetry, sparkling wit, works of art and last a 
 picture of yourself to go unanswered so many days; 
 but so much has happened to prevent my writing. 
 
 Your lovely, long letter was like one of our old
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. Ill 
 
 fashioned talks, and I thoroughly enjoyed your ro- 
 mancehave no fear of my divulging your secret. 
 You did not ask for my advice; but I am going to 
 give it. Doesn't common sense teach you that this 
 is altogether too progressive an age for love? and 
 the next best thing is position, and knowing the .posi- 
 tion of his family, I should be very reluctant in say- 
 ing anything to displease him. They say that posi- 
 tion and wealth do not always bring happiness; but 
 it seems to me that it can buy a great deal, and I 
 fail to pity those who don't know how to use it 
 and are not happy with all they want of this world's 
 goods. 
 
 My one ambition is money and position, therefore, 
 I again impress it upon you, not to expect too much 
 man is far from perfect and think how nice it 
 would be to entertain extensively; oh! I just wish I 
 could talk to you straight for ten minutes but then 
 I suppose your mind is made up and you will go 
 your own sweet way. Then again, traveling abroad, 
 seeing something of the world, I could be real cross 
 with you, to think all these things do not suggest 
 themselves to you. In any event I promise you se- 
 crecy, and whatever you do, you will always be to 
 me, the best girl friend I have ever had. 
 
 I frequently meet Mr. Burnham, your widower 
 in A . He still has the "band-box" appearance 
 but never knows me, so I pass silently on. 
 
 Your picture is good I appreciate the "hot coals," 
 and will certainly remember you with my next. 
 
 I attended a Shakespeare night at our literary club, 
 and alas! I never before fully realized the meaning 
 of these lines: "Some men are born great, others
 
 112 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 achieve greatness; but some have greatness thrust 
 upon them." I certainly was not born great, have 
 never achieved greatness, and do not expect to have 
 greatness thrust upon me. 
 
 The news I wrote you in my last letter probably 
 destroyed your ideal of our mutual friend M. but 1 
 could not help it. He is contemptible and I hate 
 him now as much as I once liked him don't write 
 him and would be very glad if I never saw him again. 
 It is too long a story to write. 
 
 "I sigh for thee." 
 
 Yours, GENEVA. 
 
 Cambridge, Mass., April 27, 188 . 
 My Dear Geneva: 
 
 The evening glow softens into the twilight and 
 the twilight slips into the darkness and as I sit musing 
 my thoughts naturally turn to my absent friends I 
 miss you more than I can tell. 
 
 Your letter was indeed a welcome one. I had 
 been so disappointed upon receiving none. I often 
 think of that passage from Lucile, 
 
 "Those little missives that decide if our day 
 Shall be fretful and anxious or joyous and gay." 
 
 I am sorry that you should have had such trials 
 and tribulations some times of late I have felt like 
 saying with Jeremiah, the prophet, "None other is 
 afflicted like unto me." 
 
 But every one has trials and the longer I read in 
 my "book of life," the more I am convinced that "men 
 are enigmas," and hard to solve. 
 
 Sunday, the 13th, is my birthday and as you know,
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 113 
 
 I am . I can't realize it; but I am so glad I 
 
 don't live in the days of "old maids" how dreadful 
 the name! I shall get out my poetry about the "Bach- 
 elor Girl," and rejoice that I am still single; I'm not 
 like the girl who married because she didn't want 
 "Miss" on her tombstone. 
 
 Have just finished reading "Polly Oliver's Prob- 
 lem," read it, if you haven't already done so. It's 
 a bright little book, so many apt passages. 
 
 "Dr. George's advice to Polly, as it sounded that 
 gray, October afternoon by the sea, 'When the sun 
 of one's happiness is set, one lights a candle called 
 Patience, and guides one's footsteps by that.' " 
 
 The book has helped me. I am sorry to have 
 my ideal destroyed; still I am not so surprised, as 
 one after another has been shattered. 
 
 My candle called 'Patience' has been lighted a 
 long time and has burned low. I shall remain a 
 "Bachelor Maid," for I am convinced the longer I 
 live, that you require precisely the same thing in 
 matrimony as in eating sausage "absolute confi- 
 dence." 
 
 Write soon; your letters are like an oasis in the 
 desert of life a bright spot to the weary traveler. 
 
 Hoping your skies may brighten, 
 
 Yours and yours, LAVINIA. 
 
 P. S. What a changing world! As the wheel of 
 fortune turns around some go up, others down, oftener 
 down. You remember our friend in Brookline; her 
 father recently died, insolvent, and now, instead of 
 luxury and wealth, she is working in an office in 
 Boston.
 
 114 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 I enclose a copy of 
 
 "THE BACHELOR GIRL." 
 "What do I gain by marriage? 
 Advantages very few. 
 I don't care a cent for a carriage, 
 And a bicycle built for two won't do. 
 I have my profession, my den and my meals, 
 With a dozen (?) admirers to flock at my heels. 
 No mother-in-law to dissect me each day 
 No husband's commands to encumber my way; 
 If Jack becomes tedious, I smile upon Joe, 
 When both threaten boredom, there's Will, don't you 
 
 know! 
 
 When I need an excursion, by boat or by train, 
 I don't have to wheedle or coax or explain; 
 I go where I like and I do as I please, 
 If a man becomes forward, I soon make him freeze; 
 And it's got to be something uncommonly fine 
 In the much over-done matrimonial line, 
 A man of perfection the absolute pearl 
 Who can capture the heart of this Bachelor Girl."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 115 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 "What is hope? A smiling rainbow 
 
 Children follow thro' the wet; 
 Tis not here, still yonder, yonder, 
 Never urchin found it yet. 
 
 "What is life? A thawing iceberg 
 
 On a sea with cunning shore; 
 Gay we sail. We are sunk 
 And seen no more." 
 
 June had come again, with its 
 
 "Roses carpeting the ground, 
 Thrushes', orioles' warbling sound." 
 
 Mrs. Winship had decided to open the 
 house at Newport, as she knew it was Mr. 
 Winship's wish, but of course there would 
 be no festivities just a quiet summer 
 with Mrs. Erskin and Lavinia as the only 
 guests. Lucile had planned a visit to Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 She was very anxious to take a trip on
 
 116 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 the lakes, but as a friend was going on the 
 train, she concluded to go with her and 
 return by way of the Great Lakes and St. 
 Lawrence. She spent several happy weeks 
 in "dear, dear, old dirty Chicago," as she 
 and Lavinia always said, but the day caine 
 for her departure. She had taken passage 
 on the California for Buffalo. The night 
 was dark, threatening clouds overhung the 
 horizon; there was a deathly calm that 
 sometimes precedes a storm. The clouds 
 grew blacker and a little after midnight 
 the gale increased until it was like a hurri- 
 cane. It must indeed be a staunch vessel 
 that could withstand such a tempest and 
 not one on board was left to tell the tale. 
 The morning's papers contained an ac- 
 count of the wreck, and Mr. Howard start- 
 ed immediately for - , Michigan, where 
 Lucile's body and trunk had been washed 
 ashore. 
 
 He telegraphed Mrs. Erskin to come
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 117 
 
 home, as he would reach Boston Tuesday 
 with the body. 
 
 She was almost crushed, but Lavinia 
 bore up bravely and tried to comfort her 
 mother by saying, "Don't weep so, mother, 
 dear; remember you still have one daugh- 
 ter left, who will devote her life to you as 
 long as she lives." 
 
 Mrs. Erskin stopped sobbing. 
 
 "Yes, La-vinia, you have always been a 
 comfort, and now, although a great shock, 
 I'll try to be resigned and say, 'Thy will, 
 not mine.' " 
 
 It was indeed a very trying hour when 
 Mr. Howard arrived with the remains, but 
 Mrs. Erskin had grown calmer, and with 
 Lavinia's support, the last sad ceremonies 
 
 passed "as in a dream." 
 
 ******* 
 
 Nearly five years have gone tumbling 
 down the corridors of time since Mr. and 
 Mrs. Richardson embarked for sunny
 
 118 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 France. They had traveled in every coun- 
 try in Europe, and while sojourning in Italy 
 a little son was born and later a daugh- 
 ter, so that little Raymond was now past 
 three years of age and Chellis almost one. 
 His mother was president of a whist 
 club, and when the little stranger came he 
 was presented with a beautiful silver cup, 
 with these lines, composed by one of the 
 ladies of the club: 
 
 TO OUR SMALL FOSTER ADDITION. 
 "Hearty greetings to our little trump! 
 May he grow tall and strong and plump. 
 May he wield the spade, of clubs be wary; 
 Have plenty of diamonds, and a true heart marry. 
 May he bow humbly to king and queen, 
 Favoring the ace when four small ones are seen. 
 May he be loyal to the eleventh rule, 
 May he follow suit and Foster's schoo.l. 
 May he aid the weak, vanquish the strong, 
 Avoid sneaks and all that is wrong. 
 In short, may our President's cleverness inherit 
 Her interest, her energy, so deserving of true merit." 
 
 One evening when Mrs. Richardson had 
 company in the parlor below little Ray- 
 mond wouldn't be pacified by the nurse,
 
 RAYMOND.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 119 
 
 but insisted upon seeing his mamma. She 
 told him that God was with him and would 
 take care of him, and after telling him a 
 few of his favorite stories, returned to her 
 guests. 
 
 Fully an hour afterward the portieres 
 parted and a little white-robed figure en- 
 tered, saying, "Mamma, you turn up and 
 tay with Dod awhile, and let me turn in 
 here." 
 
 Mr. Richardson one day mentioned to 
 his wife that Mrs. Pembroke was a grass- 
 widow. The next day little Dave came up 
 to his mother and said, "What is a grass- 
 widder?" She always explained every- 
 thing to him, and, taking him on her lap, 
 she replied, "Supposing your papa should 
 go away and leave you and me and never 
 come back, then I would be a grass- 
 widow." 
 
 Looking up quickly he said, "What would 
 I be then, a grasshopper?"
 
 120 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Mr. Richardson decided to return to little 
 Oshkosh, and on their way called to see 
 Lavinia, having heard of their sorrow. 
 
 While at lunch the postman brought a 
 letter from Mrs. Howard and as all were 
 interested Lavinia read aloud: 
 
 El Paso, Texas, Feb. 1, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia: 
 
 Your letter reached me "after many days." Soon 
 after Louis returned from his sad mission to you, 
 he was again taken with "la grippe," much worse 
 than before, and as soon as he was able to travel, 
 we again sought relief in the climate of "Old Mexico;" 
 but owing to the extreme poverty and inconveniences 
 we went down to the City of Mexico in the shortest 
 possible time and hurried back to the States. Oh! 
 it is something terrible, the degraded condition ot 
 the Mexicans. To be sure, there is an upper class, 
 but at best, it is squalor and poverty on all sides. 
 
 San Antonio, Texas, is a beautiful, sunny retreat, 
 no wraps are worn, and roses budding in the plazas or 
 parks. I went through the Alamo Fort, which stood 
 through two sieges in the Mexican War. It was built 
 for a monastery in the 17th century by the Mexicans 
 and of course when Texas was their territory. I was 
 in the room where General Bowie (inventor of bowie 
 knives) was shot. Altogether it is an inter Bsting 
 town, primitive in many ways, and inhabited largely 
 by Mexicans and negroes.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 121 
 
 Houses are thrown open, as in midsummer, and 
 the climate is like a perfect June day in Wisconsin. 
 
 The place was quarantined before we arrived 
 small-pox among the Mexicans, they are so dirty. I 
 suppose you know "why love is like the small-pox?" 
 haid to tell whether it's the genuine disease or the 
 varioloid. 
 
 We reached El Paso Thursday, after twenty-four 
 hours' travel from San Antonio. Texas is an immense 
 state and one only realizes its vastness when they 
 attempt to cross it. It took us forty-eight hours frem 
 Texarkana to El Paso. Think of it! 
 
 Louis is not much better. I think we shall have 
 to leave Chicago permanently, as he can never live 
 in that climate. Just where we will locate I do not 
 know, but meantime are prospecting for the best 
 place for health and business. 
 
 We have been down to Quarez, Old Mexico. It 
 is very queer to walk along their narrow streets; you 
 look at everybody and everybody looks at you; you 
 are as much of a curiosity to them as they are to 
 you. The houses have no windows and you can walk 
 blocks by a one-story structure with occasional doors 
 and wonder what it is. 
 
 A fence I first thought a fence with many gates. 
 There are no two-story buildings except in very large 
 cities; all are built of mud-bricks and are called 
 "adobes." 
 
 Mexican men wear hats from ten inches to a foot 
 high, with broad brims; the name is "sombrero." 
 
 Mexicans live chiefly on "tortillas," a corn pan- 
 cake; their drink is "pulque," the juice of the cactus 
 concocted into a slimy drink.
 
 122 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 The people in the states are in good circumstances, 
 many very wealthy, all are hospitable. 
 
 Lavinia, I know that you believe in prayer. Will 
 you pray that Louis may be restored to health? I 
 pray so hard; but always try to say "If it. is Thy will." 
 I have been heart sore and sick, but try to build up 
 strength on His promise, "Whatsoever ye shall ask 
 in my name, that will I do.' : 
 
 I spent a miserable Xmas: although I had some 
 elegant gifts I could not appreciate them under the 
 circumstances. 
 
 Tell Mr. F. I shall be singing the praises of the 
 far West the next time I see him Chicago will be 
 a thing of the past. 
 
 You remember I tried to make him believe Chicago 
 was superior to the eastern cities, and he told me 
 that a Chicago man could never be polite because 
 he was always 111. bred. 
 
 Tell the other gentleman whom I met to leave 
 all his good clothes at home when he comes down 
 here, as well dressed gentlemen are not tolerated. Let 
 me describe an M. D.'s apparel: gray corduroy panta- 
 loons tucked in top boots, black corduroy coat and 
 wide brimmed, white felt hat; he came to the hotel 
 horseback to see his patients. A silk hat is never 
 seen here; if it is seen once it is never seen again. 
 
 Give my love to your dear mother. I hope she has 
 recovered from the dreadful shock. Write often, your 
 letters will be forwarded. We leave the 15th. 
 
 Yours, 
 VICTORIA HEATHCOTE HOWARD. 
 
 "What a long and interesting letter," ex-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH 123 
 
 claimed Chellis; "she lias her share of sor- 
 row, too." 
 
 "Everyone has something; there is no 
 perfect happiness," said Mrs. Erskin. 
 
 "Dew drops at night are diamonds at 
 morn, so the tears we shed here may be 
 pearls in heaven." 
 
 "Emerson says, 'The joy of the spirit in- 
 dicates the strength,' " Lavinia added ; "let 
 us try to be cheerful under affliction's rod." 
 
 "You know 'night brings out the stars,' 
 so trials reveal a person's character, as gold 
 that has been tried by fire."
 
 124 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTEK XIII. 
 
 "Woman the fairest work in all creation; the 
 edition is large and no man should be without a 
 copy." 
 
 She is a woman, therefore may be wooed; 
 She is a woman, therefore may be won. 
 
 Titus Andronicus. 
 
 Mr. Wright resolved to spend his vaca- 
 tion at his old home in Boston and see 
 Lavinia; he felt "that absence makes the 
 heart grow stronger;" was it the same with 
 Lavinia, or had she found someone else? 
 
 He had read the sad news of the acci- 
 dent in a Melbourne paper soon after it 
 occurred, and when the steamer landed he 
 hastened at once to Cambridge. 
 
 Mrs. Erskin had gone for a drive with 
 a kind neighbor and he found Lavinia 
 alone. The surprise was too great; for a
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 125 
 
 moment she lost self-control and shed a 
 few tears of joy. 
 
 It didn't take long for explanations, and 
 ere Mrs. Erskin returned there were pros- 
 pects of a wedding in June. 
 
 When the day was decided Geneva was, 
 of course, the first to know of the arrange- 
 ments, and by return mail came these 
 lines: 
 
 New York, Sept. 19, 188. 
 The day is long and long the night, 
 The rain falls fast and its drip, drip, drip 
 
 Seerns like ghostly fingers tapping; 
 And ever and anon with a lonesome sound, 
 The wind at the casement sweeps around, 
 
 And at the door seems rapping. 
 
 The night is dark; but within the room 
 The lamps and the firelight banish the gloom 
 
 Of the dusky shadows looming; 
 But a shadow beside my chair still stands 
 And it holds to my view in its ghastly hands 
 
 The sorrow so surely coming. 
 
 As the shadow stands beside my chair, 
 It seems to be whispering in my ear 
 And bids me think of the time
 
 126 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 When orange blossoms and laces rare 
 Will deck a form so wondrous fair 
 And wedding bells will chime. 
 
 When one, long with me day by day, 
 Will soon be gone from her place away, 
 
 Another life to bless; 
 
 For I know that a heart so true and strong 
 Was never meant to live alone, 
 
 With no one to caress. 
 
 I saw a little recipe in the "Baltimore American," 
 written by a Baltimore lady, that possibly may be of 
 service to you until you can find a better recipe. 
 
 I don't mean that the first part applies to you; 
 but think the recipe is too good to lose, and is apro- 
 pos to the subject. 
 
 Yours for joy, 
 
 GENEVA. 
 
 HOW TO COOK HUSBANDS. 
 
 "A great many husbands are utterly spoiled by 
 mismanagement. Some women treat their husbands 
 as though they were bladders and blow them up. 
 Others keep them constantly in hot water; others let 
 them freeze by their carelessness- and indifference. 
 Some keep them in a stew by irritating ways and 
 words. Others roast them. Some keep them in pickle 
 all their lives. It cannot be supposed any husband 
 will be tender and good if managed in this way; 
 but they are really delicious when properly treated. 
 
 In selecting your husband you should not be
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 127 
 
 guided by the silvery appearance, as in buying mack- 
 erel, nor by the golden tint, as if you wanted salmon. 
 Be sure to select him yourself, as tastes differ. Do 
 not go to market for him, -as the best are always 
 brought to your door. It is far better to have none, 
 unless you patiently learn how to cook him. 
 
 A preserving kettle of the finest porcelain is best. 
 See that the linen in which you wrap him is nicely 
 washed and mended, with the required number of 
 buttons and strings neatly sewed on. 
 
 Tie him in the kettle by a strong, silk cord, called 
 comfort, as the one called duty is apt to be weak. 
 They are apt to fly out of the kettle and be burned 
 and crusty on the edges, since, like crabs and lob- 
 sters, you have to cook them while alive. 
 
 Make a clear, steady fire out of love, cheerfulness 
 and neatness; set him as near this as seems to agree 
 with him. If he sputters and fizzes, do not be anx- 
 ious; some husbands do this till they are quite ten- 
 der. Add a little sugar in the form of what confec- 
 tioners call kisses; but no vinegar or pepper on any 
 account. A little spice improves them; but must 
 be used with judgment. Watch, the while, lest he lie 
 too close to the kettle and so become useless. 
 
 If thus treated you will find him very digestible, 
 agreeing nicely with you and the children, and he 
 will keep as long as you want, unless you become 
 careless and set him in too cold a place."
 
 128 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 MIZPAH. 
 
 "I said good-bye and held your hands, 
 And said 'Farewell,' and went away, 
 Well knowing that another day 
 Would speed you forth to other lands, 
 And down the summer-scented street, 
 I heard your echoing voice repeat 
 The Hebrew motto, quaint and sweet 
 'Mizpah.' 
 
 Thousands of miles between us lay 
 When autumn passed, in lingering flight, 
 And drenched with fragrant dew at night 
 The woodland fires he lit by day; 
 But all the golden distance through, 
 From you to me and me to you, 
 Went out the tender prayer and true 
 'Mizpah.' 
 
 The winter night falls cold and bleak; 
 I sit, in saddened mood alone, 
 And listen to the wind's low moan, 
 And hide a fear I dare not speak. 
 For you are far, so far away, 
 And younger lips have turned to clay; 
 Dear love! I tremble while I pray, 
 'Mizpah.'
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 129 
 
 But spring shall blossom up the plain, 
 And Easter lilies scent the air, 
 And song-birds riot everywhere, 
 And heart and hope grow glad again, 
 Yet still my nightly prayer shall be 
 Though swallows build or swallows flee, 
 Until my love come back to me, 
 'Mizpah.' 
 
 And when, with flowers of June you come, 
 And face to face again we stand, 
 And heart to heart and hand to hand, 
 O love! within the one dear home, 
 We shall not need to say again, 
 In winter's snow or summer's rain, 
 Till death shall part us twain, 
 'Mizpah.' " 
 
 Neither Mr. Wright nor Laviuia wished 
 to make their home in Melbourne; of course 
 Lavinia wouldn't for a moment think of 
 going so far awpy from her mother, and 
 Mr. Wright preferred returning to his na- 
 tive land. He sailed in October to settle 
 up business affairs and persuade his par- 
 ents to return with him in Ma}'. Lavinia 
 was loth to have him go, but he said, "Cheer 
 up, I'll soon be back again." 
 
 "Yes, but since Lucile was drowned I
 
 ISO THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 dread the water, and you know I used to 
 be so fond of the sea." 
 
 At first the days passed slowly enough. 
 She was glad to have the evenings by the 
 fireside with her mother. 
 
 "This is New Year's eve," said Lavinia; 
 "I don't like holidays; there is always a 
 feeling of sadness, especially when sepa- 
 rated from those we love." 
 
 At the close of Ammi's letter, w r hich was 
 ready for the morning's mail, she wrote: 
 
 "The autumn leaves have fallen, 
 The autumn winds are chill, 
 And Winter's snowy banner 
 Floats over vale and hill. 
 The frost with fairy fingers 
 Has turned the woods to flame 
 But Winter's icy breezes 
 Have swept them bare again. 
 With many a shake and shiver 
 I look from my window-pane, 
 And wonder if the sun will ever 
 Unlock these chains again. 
 But a thrill of joy comes o'er me 
 As I think of the time to come 
 When the Old Year will be dying 
 And the New Year will be born,
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 131 
 
 For soon will come the blessing 
 
 The crown of a woman's life, 
 
 The joy, the fond caressing 
 
 To me, a happy wife. 
 
 Each joy of my life will be doubled 
 
 With another that joy to share, 
 
 Each sorrow of life will be lessened 
 
 With another that sorrow to bear. 
 
 An open book lies before me, 
 
 And I must write therein. 
 
 What will the record be, tell me? 
 
 For my eyes with tears are dim. 
 
 An open book before me, 
 
 Its pages are very fair, 
 
 Not a word is written on them, 
 
 Not a line nor a blot is there. 
 
 Within that book must be written 
 
 The record of my life, 
 
 But on the first page, only, 
 
 'To-day I'm a happy wife.' 
 
 What will it be to-morrow? 
 
 What will it be next year? 
 
 What shall it be at the end of life? 
 
 Shall I close it with a tear? 
 
 Or when my life is over 
 
 And I stand before the throne, 
 
 And the book of my life is opened, 
 
 Shall I hear the words, 'Well done?' " 
 
 There is nothing like work to help one 
 forget his loneliness or trouble, and the 
 weeks passed quickly by until Lavinia's
 
 132 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 birthday arrived. As she sat in retrospec- 
 tion, feeling rather lonely, she wrote: 
 
 "I sit here by my fireside 
 On my twenty-fourth birthday, 
 And dreamily look at the future, 
 And think, shall I always stay 
 A maiden free and happy 
 With a heart as light as air, 
 With never a pang of sorrow 
 And never a thought of care? 
 Shall my days be full of brightness, 
 Or just enough of shade, 
 That when the night approaches 
 And the last good-byes are said, 
 As I look back on the pathway 
 My earthly feet have trod 
 Shall I see that the hand that led me 
 Was the loving hand of God? 
 As I look along that, pathway 
 Will it be with roses strewn? 
 Shall I find no thorns among them? 
 Shall I never find a stone? 
 And all along that pathway 
 Shall I never find a place 
 Where darkness thick surrounds me 
 And God has hid his face? 
 I know not what to ask for 
 For I know not what is best; 
 But I'll take whate'er He sends me 
 And with Him leave all the rest. 
 They say that the oak in the forest
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 133 
 
 That is sheltered from wind and storm, 
 Will never grow tall and stately 
 Will ne'er grow large and strong. 
 And it may be that our lives here 
 Need many a sorrow and care, 
 To fit us for the heaven 
 That He has gone to prepare. 
 So, as I sit by the fireside 
 On my twenty-fourth birthday, 
 I pray that God will take my hand 
 And lead me all the way. 
 And should my days be happy 
 And my heart be full of song 
 Or should the days be dark and drear, 
 And the way He leads me long, 
 Beneath His arm I'm sheltered 
 And safe from every ill, 
 'Tis my Father's hand that leads me, 
 And He doeth all things well." 
 
 The afternoon mail brought a letter from 
 Mr. Ames, who was traveling in California 
 and had only just received the letter tell- 
 ing of her engagement. 
 
 Riverside, Gal., Feb. 13, 188. 
 My Dear Lavinia: 
 
 In the dark, damp, dreariness of this most dismal 
 rainy Sunday, (just such a day as the Puritans loved, 
 when they knew that so many helpless sinners were 
 quite as wet and uncomfortable as themselves and
 
 134 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 therefore rejoiced), the only bright spot is the sil- 
 vered "L" surmounting the little note handed me 
 yesterday, and which I feel privileged to answer, be- 
 ing especially pleased to offer my congratulations 
 to you, for securing a prize in the "lottery of life" 
 for matrimony is a lottery, with many blanks 
 but I feel confident that Mr. Wright will prove a 
 "first prize," for of all my acquaintances he is the 
 one gentleman I would choose for my sister, were 
 the choice left to me. 
 
 In memory of our trip to West Point, pardon a 
 few lines. Before leaving the East, last June, I at- 
 tended the 25th anniversary graduating dinner and 
 found many changes, also many interesting places but 
 slightly altered. 
 
 On Trophy Point has been erected a huge monu- 
 ment in memory of the officers of the regular army 
 killed in the War of '61-65; surmounted most appro- 
 priately by a golden figure bearing wreath and trum- 
 pet, the former to crown the heroes, the latter to 
 proclaim their valor. With the trumpet she oddly 
 enough points toward an old oak tree on the brow 
 of the hill, where, under the shade of the wide spread- 
 ing arms, a little group of thirteen was once seated, 
 resting from the heat and burden of the day. Mem- 
 ory brought back the scene the river quickly mov- 
 ing, under the shadow of high mountains, bearing 
 the wealth of the West to the great ocean, the peace- 
 ful landscape with its buildings occupied by those 
 whose lives are devoted to war or preparing therefor. 
 In the immediate foreground a tribute or testimonial 
 of sympathy, not recognized or observed by a care-
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 135 
 
 less public, but none the less to be remembered and 
 cherished by those present. 
 
 May your life always be as bright as it has been, 
 is the wish of 
 
 Yours Sincerely, 
 
 E. G. AMES. 
 
 "April chased off March to-day, 
 Now I catch a glimpse of May." 
 
 Lavinia had been expecting a telegram 
 telling her of Ammi's arrival. He wrote 
 that he would sail in April and hoped to 
 reach Boston about May first. She little 
 knew the trying ordeal through which Am- 
 mi was passing. That very moment he was 
 languishing behind prison bars, in his far 
 away home. 
 
 The morning that he had expected to 
 sail, the sheriff came with a warrant to ar- 
 rest him, showing him a cuff button with 
 the initials "A. W." 
 
 "Are not these your initials?" 
 
 "Certainly," Ammi replied. "I lost it at 
 the office last night. I was there until 
 quite late, settling up an account that
 
 136 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 came in late, and seeing that everything 
 was left in proper order." 
 
 "And is not this your writing?" the offi- 
 cer said, producing a letter signed "A. 
 W.," written to a friend in New York, say- 
 ing that he would close the deal for the 
 land when he reached America, as he hoped 
 to have ten thousand dollars. 
 
 "You must have dropped it in your hur- 
 ry. That and the sleeve button were found 
 by the office boy this morning. I see you 
 recognize the writing. Perhaps you can 
 explain about this letter as well as you 
 did about the cuff button. Ten thousand 
 dollars are stolen!" 
 
 Ammi turned pale as he read it, and saw 
 that it was an exact copy of his writing, 
 and thought what a base plot to destroy 
 his coming happiness and his good name 
 that had always been so dear to him. 
 
 "The villain!" exclaimed Ammi, "who 
 would dare such a bold scheme! Why
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 137 
 
 should I be rewarded for my faithfulness 
 by their believing me a thief!" He nearly 
 broke down as he bade his mother good- 
 bye. "I never thought I would bring dis- 
 gpace upon my mother's gray hair by be- 
 iag lodged in a felon's cell." 
 
 As she kissed him she said: "I believe 
 they do trust you; but circumstances are 
 against you. I suppose you must go, but 
 let us hope it won't be for long. Eight will 
 triumph in the end." 
 
 "Write Lavinia," he whispered, "that I 
 am detained by business. I know she 
 would believe me innocent; but I wish to 
 spare her grief." 
 
 The days lengthened into weeks and still 
 no clue to the thief. The money and notes 
 were gone, and all the evidence pointed to 
 Ainmi as the guilty one. The letter was 
 very much against him. He must await 
 trial, unless a kind Providence should in- 
 tervene.
 
 138 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 Sometimes God seems to have deserted 
 us in our trouble to test our faith and show 
 us how manifold are his ways of deliver- 
 ance. Dark clouds make the sunset more 
 brilliant, and "stars shine most in deeper 
 tints of blue." 
 
 The most comforting thought to Ammi 
 \vas that he was innocent; but what if 
 nothing transpired at the trial to prove his 
 innocence, the circumstantial evidence 
 might place him in prison for several years. 
 He certainly would not be acquitted unless 
 the thief was found. The thought made 
 him shudder! Separated from Lavinia, 
 "it may be for years it may be forever!" 
 
 When three weeks had passed he desired 
 his mother to write Lavinia another letter, 
 telling her all; but 'ere the letter reached 
 her she had read the startling news in a 
 daily paper. The head lines were enough, 
 she could read no further. 
 
 "Ten Thousand Stolen!" "Treasurer of
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 139 
 
 the Diamond Paper Co. tries to Abscond." 
 "Ammi Wright Proves to be Amini 
 Wrong." "Now Boarding at the Melbourne 
 Prison." 
 
 She hoped against hope; but when the 
 letter came, she broke down completely. 
 
 "You once helped me bear up under a 
 great sorrow," Mrs. Erskin began; "now 
 let me help you bear this. Try to be hope- 
 ful. There must be some mistake." 
 
 As her most intimate friends read the 
 terrible news, they sent her letters of sym- 
 pathy and assurance of Ammi's honesty; 
 but she would read none of them until her 
 mother said: "Do read Aunt Charlotte 
 Abbott's letter. It will help you to believe 
 that God's will is best." 
 
 Concord, June 7, 188. 
 My Dearest Lavinia: 
 
 My own words are inadequate to express the sym- 
 pathy of my heart. These verses are the most com- 
 forting of anything I ever read. May they give you 
 strength.
 
 140 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 GOD KNOWETH BEST. 
 
 "Sometime, when all life's lessons have been learned. 
 
 And sun and stars forever more have set, 
 The things which our weak judgments here have 
 spurned, 
 
 The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet 
 Will flash before us, out of life's dark night, 
 
 As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue, 
 And we shall see how all God's plans were right, 
 
 And how what seemed reproof, was love most true. 
 
 "And if sometimes commingled with life's wine 
 
 We find the wormwood and rebel and shrink, 
 Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine, 
 
 Pours out this portion for our lips to drink. 
 If we could push ajar the gates of life, 
 
 And stand within and all God's workings see, 
 We could interpret all this doubt and strife, 
 
 And for each mystery could find the key. 
 
 "But not to-day; then be content, poor heart, 
 
 God's plans, like lilies pure and white unfold, 
 We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart 
 
 Time will reveal the calyxes of gold. 
 And if thro' patient toil, we reach the land 
 
 Where tired feet with sandals loose, may rest, 
 Where we shall clearly know and understand 
 
 I think that we shall say, 'God Knew the Best.' " 
 
 "It is hard to say," Lavinia said, "but I 
 will try to think God's ways are best."
 
 THE SONG OF THE SEA.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 141 
 
 When the appointed day came, June 
 20th, Lavinia said to her mother: "If I 
 was down by the sea* I should feel better; 
 there is always something so restful and 
 peaceful about the ocean." 
 
 Mrs. Erskin wrote, Mrs. Winship, and the 
 following week they started for Newport, 
 knowing that it would be a quiet summer. 
 
 They spent many a day on the rocks, 
 watching the waves idly chasing each 
 other up the hard, sandy beach; Lavinia 
 with a book and Mrs. Erskin and Mrs. Win- 
 ship sometimes with their embroidery, lis- 
 tening as she read aloud. 
 
 One day, as she strolled along the shin- 
 ing sand, a wave seemed to be having a 
 frolic; now going far out, and then, with- 
 out the slightest warning, chasing her sev- 
 eral feet farther than the other waves 
 dared come. As it receded, she noticed a 
 scrap of paper that was cast up by the
 
 142 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 sea. It was only a torn piece, but it seemed 
 a message to her, as she read: 
 
 " 'O! Nature is well!' sang the sea to me 
 Tho' the children of men are sad and blind, 
 You must draw your lessons out of its breast 
 
 You must seek and find. 
 Nature has patience. It knows full well 
 That darkness only endures for a time, 
 That daylight will come by the laws of life, 
 Like a merry rhyme. 
 
 "It knows that the storm will be lulled in peace 
 That after the showers, the sun will glow, 
 While flower and field will spring afresh 
 From the Winter's snow. 
 
 "And human love is as strong as fate, 
 As tender as nature, yet nature, too, 
 The healing balm of its quiet comes 
 
 Like Nature's dew. 
 So into my heart the song of the sea 
 I took forever and found it best, 
 In human's love and in nature's heart 
 
 We may trust and rest."
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 143 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 "Back on its golden hinges 
 The gate of Memory swings, 
 And my heart goes into the garden 
 And walks with the olden things." 
 
 "The years are one by one like petals shaken from 
 out the blossoms of the century." 
 
 "Purple for shadows, gold for sunshine, 
 White for the clouds on high. 
 Brown for the earth that gave them birth, 
 ind blue for the azure sky. 
 
 "Pansies for thoughts, some gay and glad, 
 And some that are sweetly, softly sad 
 Life's joys and sorrows typified 
 By the pansies that came from Sunnyside." 
 
 At the October term of court the case 
 came up for trial, and as there were no de- 
 velopments the only evidence being 
 against him Ammi was sentenced to 
 three years. 
 
 When Lavinia heard the decision, she
 
 144: THE ..GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 felt that she must go and plead in his be- 
 half; but Australia was so far away, and 
 of course it was impossible for her to go 
 alone. 
 
 Her suffering was almost unbearable. 
 At times it seemed as though her strength 
 would fail. 
 
 She had been out of the office for nearly 
 a year, and as a diversion, to take her mind 
 from her trouble, she became somewhat 
 interested in literary work. She must do 
 something beside think of Ammi not 
 once did she doubt him, and the thoughts 
 of his unjust treatment nearly drove her 
 niad. 
 
 Ever since Mr. Ferguson told her that 
 she would succeed in literature she occa- 
 sionally had thoughts of writing the story 
 of her life, but the occasion had never pre- 
 sented itself. One day, in scanning the 
 columns of a magazine, she found a prize 
 essay on "My Favorite Novel, and Why I
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 145 
 
 Like It," awarded to Katharine Hampton 
 as the best of one hundred and one essays 
 
 submitted. 
 
 My favorite novel, the one which I read oftenest, is 
 William Black's "Strange Adventures of a Phaeton." 
 It has stood the test of being re-read again and again, 
 and that severest of all tests, being read aloud. 
 
 My reasons for liking it are quite as much negative 
 as positive. I read novels for amusement, for relaxa- 
 tion from the strain imposed by a busy life in which 
 there is a great deal of close mental application. I 
 have no desire to transform my heart into a harp of 
 a thousand strings, upon which the novelist may play 
 any wild or sad music which his errant fancy or 
 empty pocketbook dictates. I do not wish to weep 
 over the trials of any heroine, however charming, for 
 I can see sorrow and tragedy enough in real life. I 
 do not care to be thrilled by the story of heroic and 
 usually impossible sacrifices and wonderful achieve- 
 ments, because these lofty emotions, though no doubt 
 praiseworthy, are apt to be rather fatiguing. I do not 
 wish to solve any philosophical puzzles, or follow a 
 hero, or a coward, no matter how handsome he may 
 be, through a sea of religious doubts and question- 
 ings. 
 
 The standard by which I judge, not of the literary 
 ability displayed in a novel, but as to whether it is 
 agreeable to me or not, is this: Does it tell the story 
 of a life or an episode in which it would have been 
 pleasant for me to have a part? 
 
 *****
 
 146 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 I live for a whole month with pleasant people, who 
 have left the whiplash of work and worry behind 
 them. Even the thought of taxes due before they re- 
 turn, rouses them to only a little momentary spar- 
 ring. When people have risen to this height, or de- 
 scended to this level, call it whichever you will, shall 
 they not be charming companions? Yea, verily. They 
 have thrown aside the cares and many of the re- 
 straints of this workaday world, and with all the 
 might of a somewhat active imagination, I make be- 
 lieve that I am with them. They care very little 
 where they will eat their next meal, sure that so long 
 as they keep on the road, and shilling and pence 
 retain their influence over the human race, they will 
 eat it somewhere. To me, possessing a perfect passion 
 for travel and an out-door life, this is the very apoth- 
 eosis of vagabondism. 
 
 Even so prosaic a thing as a rainstorm is made 
 poetic and entertaining. We feel a growing respect for 
 people who can take getting wet so cheerfully. In- 
 deed, they seem, rather to enjoy it, and as I am dry and 
 warm, I enjoy it, too, and question whether indiffer- 
 ence to the weather has not, after all, some subtle 
 connection with the spiritual state indicated in the 
 adage, "Be good and you will be happy," or, if the two 
 are not interchangeable, because who but the happy 
 can be good when dripping wet. It is certainly an 
 enviable state of mind, and as I am sharing their 
 adventures I feel a comfortable glow of self-approba- 
 tion, a sort of good conscience at second-hand. 
 
 The blood of my English ancestors, though filtered 
 through more than two hundred years of Yankee pat- 
 riotism, stirs strongly in my veins as I read the names
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 147 
 
 of the places that I am sure I have visited in some 
 previous existence, but never, alas, in this. 
 
 In short, I have a happy holiday, and as I, for the 
 time being, live in any book that is sufficiently inter- 
 esting to hold my attention I like this one because I 
 enjoy the companionship of Queen Tita and the rest 
 on this sunny pilgrimage. 
 
 Having finished reading it, Lavinia ex- 
 claimed half aloud: "Would the story of 
 my life answer this description? Surely 
 it has been a pleasant life to live, although 
 some shadows as well as sunshine; still 
 
 "If shadows o'er thee fall, 
 
 Faith still can see 
 The Father's smile through all, 
 Sunshine to thee! 
 
 "Choose for thy daily walk 
 
 Life's sunny side"; 
 So shall all peace and joy 
 With thee abide. 
 
 "Then look above, 
 
 Whate'er betide, 
 And choose with heart of love, 
 Life's sunny side:" 
 
 She wrote the first three chapters, then 
 laid them aside, saying: "If I finish the
 
 148 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 book, it will be severely criticized. Still, 
 opposition or criticism to a book is like the 
 tail of a kite: very necessary for its as- 
 cension above the literary horizon," and 
 before the year was ended, she had writ- 
 ten all but the last chapter, wondering how 
 
 her book of life would end. 
 
 ******* 
 
 "To-morrow, Dick will be twenty-one," 
 Lavinia said, addressing her mother. "I 
 must write him a birthday letter, and for- 
 get my own sorrow by thinking of others." 
 
 Boston, 188 
 My Dearest Cousin Dick: 
 
 Ere this reaches you, you will have passed the boun- 
 dary between youth and manhood your twenty-first 
 birthday twenty-one milestones of the journey of 
 life, the greatest crisis in a man's life. 
 
 Who can be freer than a U. S. citizen of twenty-one 
 summers? Free to vote for Grover if he so chooses 
 free to take the narrow path or the broad road, free 
 to ask the woman of his choice to share his joys. 
 
 I wish you much happiness, dear Dick; may you 
 pass many more milestones ere your journey is ended. 
 With best wishes of 
 
 LAVINIA.
 
 DICK.
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 149 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The days are made on a loom, whereof the warp and 
 woof are past and present time. Emerson. 
 
 Mrs. Winship had been troubled with 
 heart disease for several years, but of late 
 the spells were more frequent and of longer 
 duration. She had just recovered from a 
 severe attack, when she said to her sister: 
 
 "Have the maid telephone for my law- 
 yers; I have decided to make a new will 
 before another spell comes on." 
 
 For several months she had seemed 
 troubled over something she was hardly 
 satisfied with her last will. 
 
 "Whenever I think of making my will," 
 she said, "it always brings to mind the 
 story of 'Eugenia and the hundred thou- 
 sand francs' you may have heard it. 
 
 "The Empress Eugenia once offered
 
 150 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 100,000 francs for the best answers to 
 three prize questions at the Paris Expo- 
 sition: 
 
 "1. What is love? 
 
 "2. What is happiness? 
 
 "3. What would you do with the 100,- 
 000 francs? 
 
 "A professor of the Dublin University 
 gave such clever answers that the Empress 
 assigned him the money. 
 
 "The answers were: 
 
 "Love is the ensign under which woman 
 exacts her tribute. 
 
 "Happiness is the perfume of a paper 
 rose. 
 
 "I would spend the 100,000 francs in em- 
 bellishing the tombs of my ancestors, be- 
 cause they never could repay me with in- 
 gratitude. 
 
 "I don't think Lavinia would repay me 
 with ingratitude; she has always been so 
 kind and thoughtful, and considerate of
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 151 
 
 others not the least selfish. I would have 
 adopted her long ago if she hadn't been her 
 mother's only comfort. I am sure she will 
 appreciate the money and make a good use 
 of it." 
 
 Soon the lawyers entered, and, address- 
 ing Mr. Stevens, the elder gentleman, she 
 said: "I have decided to divide my prop- 
 erty equally, giving a third to each* nay 
 daughter Marie, my sister Frances, and 
 Lavinia Erskin. Draw up another will," 
 as she spoke tearing up the one she held 
 in her hand. 
 
 "My property, as you know, is in gov- 
 ernment bonds; pulp mill stock, which is 
 paying 24 per cent this year; and Boston 
 and Albany stocks. 
 
 "I want Lavinia to have a third of my 
 property, w T hich will amount to a million 
 in all for her." 
 
 The papers were duly drawn, signed and 
 filed, and with a sigh of relief Mr.s. Win-
 
 152 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 ship leaned back in her chair. There was 
 a fluttering and a slight trembling of the 
 lips, and the spirit had flown to its mate 
 on the other shore. 
 
 Lavinia and Mrs. Erskin were much 
 grieved at the loss of one who had been so 
 near and dear to them. 
 
 It was several months before Lavinia 
 knew the contents of the will; she was 
 almost as much surprised as delighted. 
 
 "This is really like a dream," she ex- 
 claimed, "now I can rescue Ammi I will 
 leave no stone unturned to prove his inno- 
 cence, and bring to justice the villain who 
 would lay his crime upon an innocent 
 man! 
 
 "Then I can finish my book. That will be 
 a fitting chapter for its last. After it is 
 published I shall have a boat built that will 
 weather any sea, and with my friends take 
 a trip round the world, visiting every
 
 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 153 
 
 kiiown land, taking three years for the 
 complete voyage." 
 
 She immediately had detectives sent to 
 Australia, with instructions to find the 
 thief, at any cost. 
 
 "I can't spend my money in any better 
 way than to obtain Ammi's liberty," she 
 said. 
 
 The only clue they had to begin with was 
 the letter. It must have been written by 
 someone familiar with Ammi's writing. 
 By looking over the books in the office, 
 they found the writing of the assistant 
 treasurer did not always look the same. 
 Upon inquiry it was learned that he had 
 left the company about six months after 
 the affair on account of some trouble with 
 the new treasurer. The detectives traced 
 him to London that beehive of humanity, 
 where one might lose his identity among 
 the throng and by disguising themselves 
 and getting him interested in mining stock,
 
 154 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 found that he had more money than clerks 
 usually possess, and also that he could 
 copy any handwriting, getting him to copy 
 one for them to send to the mining com- 
 pany, when one of them feigned sickness. 
 After watching him carefully several 
 weeks, until they were almost sure of their 
 man, they showed him Ammi's letter. So 
 unexpected was it, from those who had 
 passed as his friends, that he showed signs 
 of guilt. They immediately arrested him, 
 and when he found himself their prisoner, 
 confessed all. 
 
 The discovery was telegraphed Lavima, 
 who, with her mother and Uncle Abbott, 
 took the next steamer for London. 
 
 In the meantime the case had been ap- 
 pealed to another court, and as the judge 
 was about to pronounce the prisoner 
 guilty, there was a commotion in the hall; 
 two carriages had hurriedly driven from 
 the steamer just arrived, and the occu-
 
 TtfE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 155 
 
 pants none other than Lavinia's party, 
 who had left London as soon as the neces- 
 sary papers could be obtained for the re- 
 moval of the prisoner, hastened into the 
 court room. 
 
 Mr. Abbott said, addressing the judge: 
 "May it please your Honor to listen to the 
 latest witness before giving the decision 
 of the court?" 
 
 "Will the detectives bring him for- 
 ward?" 
 
 Stepping before the crowd, he said, in 
 faltering words: "Ammi Wright is still 
 right, if things have gone wrong. I, Kobert 
 Whitney, am the guilty man!" 
 
 Cheers went up from all parts of the 
 house. Ammi's mother had to be carried 
 from the room, the sudden joy was too 
 great for her shattered nerves, exhausted 
 by long waiting and hoping against hope. 
 
 "In far-away Oshkosh," he continued, 
 "I learned that Ammi Wright was my sue-
 
 156 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 cessful rival for the hand of the fairest, 
 noblest woman God ever made. I vowed 
 eternal vengeance, and followed him to 
 Australia, where I obtained a position in 
 his office. Knowing of his intended de- 
 parture and future happiness, I planned to 
 ruin him, if possible. The letter, which I 
 wrote, worked like a charm. The money 
 I hid in an old well for several months, 
 but when I could endure it no longer I 
 purposely had trouble with the new treas- 
 urer, and left for London. The rest of the 
 story you already know." 
 
 The judge said: "The happiest sentence 
 I have given this year is, 'Ammi Wright 
 is a free man!' Release the prisoner." 
 
 As he came forward, Lavinia ran eagerly 
 to meet him, and would have fallen had he 
 not caught her in his arms. 
 
 "My own, brave girl," he whispered, as 
 she opened her eyes. "It is all due to your
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 157 
 
 love and perseverance that I am once more 
 free!" 
 
 Early the next week, there was a quiet 
 wedding at the hotel, and among the list 
 of passengers for Boston were Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ammi Wright and party. 
 
 Before their departure, the Diamond 
 Paper Company tried to repair the wrong 
 they had done him by sending a check for 
 twenty thousand dollars, which he de- 
 clined, saying that his liberty was all he 
 washed. 
 
 ******* 
 
 It is three years since Mrs. Winship's 
 death. The book is published. The 
 "Winship" lies at her moorings in New 
 York harbor, ready for the first of the 1095 
 happy days. She is a model of the "City of 
 Paris," built by the same company. 
 
 Let us glance inside. Each one of the 
 party has a suite of three rooms. There 
 is, beside the dining room, a large concert
 
 158 THE GIRL PROM OSHKOSH. 
 
 hall and an immense library. Lavinia has 
 a private library, where she hopes to spend 
 a portion of each day in writing her travels 
 "Around the World in Three Years." 
 
 An hour a day is to be spent in each- 
 study, reading, writing, music, games, etc., 
 one evening a week devoted to astronomy, 
 an excellent chance being afforded as they 
 pass through the tropics. 
 
 Lavinia, standing by Ammi and her 
 mother, greets all her old friends, and wel- 
 comes them, as one by one they come 
 aboard. It is indeed a merry party. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Abbott, Marguerite, Dick; Marie Win- 
 ship, Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. Winship's sis- 
 ter, Mrs. Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, 
 their two children and maids; Geneva, Mr. 
 Ames, Tom Tatham, Mr. Berghardt, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hale, Mr. and Mrs. McNaughton, 
 nee Victoria Heathcoate Howard; her hus- 
 band having died, and she had married 
 again; Mr. and Mrs. Van Norman and son
 
 THE GIRL FROM OSHKOSH. 159 
 
 Leon, of Auburndale, very dear friends of 
 Lavinia. Also Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, and 
 Mr. and Mrs. Alexander of Oshkosh. 
 
 Standing near the "Stars and Stripes," 
 which float proudly in the breeze, the Arion 
 band, which is to accompany them, plays, 
 "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," as the "Wm- 
 ship" glides past the statue of Liberty, and 
 the last sweet strain that is borne back to 
 the lingering friends is, "Land of the noble 
 free, Thy name I love." 
 
 "And the years glide by." 
 
 THE END.
 
 A 000 036 366 3