USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 42
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That night, in their dismal abode, under the great water-tank, which was a small room only accessible by a ladder, Elsie unfolded to Ted her recently developed plan to leave the great city the next morning. She told him about the fairy's visit and what she had said to her. Ted looked very skeptical, but as a view of the country was to him an unrealized dream, he readily consented.
The next morning at daybreak, with a package of lunch and a small store of pennies, the children started for the country, without any particular locality in view. At noon they were in the suburbs, where they ate their lunch of crackers and cheese and drank at a wayside fountain. Then they boldly took to the great highway leading into the country.
In the afternoon, a German lad, who had been to the city with vegetables, took them into his wagon and gave them a " lift," but as he could talk but little English, and the children could not understand German, the con- versation was principally confined to the little travelers, who heartily appreciated the beautiful country through which they were passing. Towards evening, the German boy turned his horses into a long lane, leading westward. To their right was the beautiful, picturesque Hudson river, flanked with old- time residences and cottages. The children now climbed out of the wagon and walked leisurely up the main road, enjoying the sunset and the highly perfumed atmosphere. They shortly seated themselves near a small spring brook, and lunched from the remnants of their dinner and enjoyed the solitude of their surroundings.
Up to this time they had thought of nothing but the pleasure of being in the country, far away from the noise and turmoil of the great city. Elsie suggested that they sleep in the grass, under one of the great trees, and in the morning buy their breakfast at some farm-house, from their scanty store of pennies. Ted was much impressed with the idea, and, as it was now dark, they immediately put Elsie's plan into effect. After selecting a large oak, with dense, overhanging branches as their abode for the night, they were soon fast asleep beneath its protecting foliage.
The weary waifs slept soundly until about midnight, when they were awakened by loud peals of thunder and sharp lightning flashes. The sky was
iii
BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
now so brilliantly illuminated, that they plainly saw a large house and numer- ous buildings among the trees, well back from the road, and not far from their temporary shelter. As the atmosphere indicated an unusual storm, the chil- dren concluded to seek shelter in one of the buildings near the house. Hand- in-hand, the waifs, between electric flashes, groped their way toward the build- ings, but, when near to a summer-house, the loud barking of a dog so fright- ened them, that they turned and went towards the house, where, after stum- bling through heavy grasses and rose brush, they found a well-protected arbor, in which they were soon safely ensconced, but not before they were well drenched from the rain, which was already falling in great drops.
After the terrible storm of rain and wind had subsided, the exhausted children went to sleep upon the arbor seats, and did not awake until the morn- ing sun shone into the arbor, through the open entrance.
The children scampered out of the arbor, and beheld a sight that filled them with wonder and admiration. Not far from the arbor, in a grove, stood a stately old mansion, overlooking the beautiful Hudson river on the east, while the well-kept grounds on each side of the mansion were dispersed with beauti- ful and artistically arranged flower gardens and walks. Elsie had seen this same spot in her dream, after the fairy had visited her. Viewing the surround- ings they walked out among the beautiful flowers and foliage, too awed and wonder-struck to utter a word. Practical Ted, after a few moments, began to think of breakfast, and, was about to call Elsie's attention to the fact, when one of the housemaids discovered them. In a tone, other than mild, she asked them who they were, where they came from, and where they were going, and before they could utter a word, ordered them from the premises.
At this moment a kind, gentle voice, near by, said : “ Jeannette, take the children into the dining-room, give them a good breakfast, then bring them to my room." The waifs turned and saw, almost beside them, a handsome, kind-faced, middle-aged lady, who evidently was in the habit of being obeyed, for the erratic Jeannette had already been transformed into a smiling, affable creature, who, with a deep courtesy to her mistress, escorted the children into the house. *
Hugh Huntington was the second son of a noble family of Exeter, England, and being a stirring, energetic fellow, preferred to make a mark for himself, instead of living upon the bounty of his brother, Sir John, a gouty old bachelor, went to New York, in the early 60's, and in ten years had amassed a vast fortune. Hugh Huntington's success in life was largely due to the fact that, before leaving England he had married the accomplished Evelyn Mortimer, the only sister of Sir Philip Mortimer, a wealthy member of Parlia- ment, of Essex. Sir Phillip had bitterly opposed the union of his beautiful and only sister, with the portionless Hugh Huntington.
iv
BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
Sir Phillip's opposition to the marriage was not softened by the fact, that his younger and only brother, Edmund, had first ignored his advice, then, after leading a Bohemian life in India, finally disappeared and was heard of no more. Sir Phillip's opposition was entirely disregarded by the young couple, who were quietly married at the old family rectory, near Exeter, and imme- diately went to New York, where they passed their honeymoon.
Hugh Huntington and his wife, when fortune commenced to smile upon them, selected and purchased a rambling old mansion on the banks of the beautiful Hudson, which they refitted in keeping with their circumstances, and occupied it up to the time of Mr. Huntington's death, which occurred in 1873. His childless widow, with a few servants, continued to live in retirement at the old mansion.
Jeannette shortly appeared in the room of her mistress with Elsie and Ted, who had each partaken of a hearty breakfast. Mrs. Huntington received them in such an affectionate, motherly manner, that she at once gained their confidence. That morning, when Mrs. Huntington had first seen the waifs, there was something about their forlorn and strange appearance that attracted her to them. What was it in little Ted's large blue eyes, curly hair and very actions, that reminded her of her younger brother Edmund, in his boyhood days? The brother who, in after years, had received honors at Oxford, finally drifting to India, where all traces were lost of him.
Mrs. Huntington, with some difficulty, persuaded Elsie to tell her the story of her life, which she did in a disconnected and childlike manner. Elsie remembered well her father, Edmund Montrose. Her mother was the daughter of an Italian composer at Milan. Elsie's recollections of the pleasant days of her infancy, in their little artistic Milan cottage, brought tears to her eyes. Elsie also remembered of their giving up their beautiful Milan home and coming to New York, that her father's artistic work might be the better appreciated. Elsie's description of her father's struggle for a livelihood, the sale of valuable paint- ings for small sums of money, his desertion by friends in time of need, his final sickness and death were very sad, but the saddest part of Elsie's narrative was the picture of her mother's fight with poverty and misfortune ; the sale of books, paintings and trinkets, that she might support her fatherless children. The Italian mother, far from her sunny clime, among strangers, and battling with poverty, died one Christmas morning in a cheap tenement house in New York, and Elsie and Ted fell into the hands of a professional beggar, one Elihu Sleek, who lived in the same tenement.
The beggar, shortly after the burial of the mother, took the orphans and their only belongings, which consisted of a trunk containing some old clothes, and a few bundles of letters and papers, and moved into meaner quarters in a down-town basement.
V
BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
The children soon learned that their self-appointed guardian was not only a beggar, but a professional thief, for hardly had he established himself in his new quarters before he commenced teaching them the art of pocket-picking. The children were willing to sell newspapers, as they had nobly assisted their mother in her last illness by selling papers, but in their minds and hearts they rebelled against practicing the arts taught them by their guardian.
On New Year's evening their guardian sent them forth with the pretence of selling papers and button-hole bouquets, while in fact they were instructed to mingle with the crowds and pick pockets. They returned before midnight with a good supply of small silver and pennies, as they had sold their entire stock of papers and bouquetts, but had picked no pockets. When Elsie courageously told their guardian that they would not steal, they were both brutally beaten by their inhuman guardian and sent to bed.
The next morning, before uncle Elihu Sleek was awake, Elsie, dressed in a demented suit of Ted's cast-off clothes, and accompanied by that young worthy, stole away from their basement home, and after depositing Elsie's bundle in the East river, which consisted of her dress, hat and shawl, sought a new home, which they found under the great water tank. Here they lived until Elsie's dream had prompted them to go into the country.
At the conclusion of Elsie's narrative, Mrs. Huntington embraced the urchins so heartily, that her sedate neighbors would have been shocked had they seen her. That afternoon the family dressmaker was sent for, and, the next day, Elsie was transformed into a modest young girl, while Ted's ward- robe was speedily replenished by the neighboring village tailor.
Mrs. Huntington had become so impressed with the sad history of the orphans, that she determined to consult the children's wishes, and, if agreeable, to adopt them. So one evening during the following week, Mrs. Huntington called the children into her room and said to them : "Children, I have been asking myself what I ought to do with you. Have you thought of what you would like to do ?" Elsie, in her timid, sweet, manner, put her arms around Mrs. Huntington's neck, and said : "Oh, Aunt Evelyn," for such she had been taught to call her, "we would like to live with you always." Ted had in the meantime, silently advanced to Mrs. Huntington's chair, placed one round, dimpled hand in hers, and looked longingly into her face, while a tear gathered in each of his large, blue eyes. This silent appeal went to Mrs. Huntington's heart, and she determined that thereafter her life would be devoted to the homeless orphans.
Mrs. Huntington, with her usual sound discretion, sent for her family lawyer, Enos Hamberton, who was instructed by his kind-hearted client to draw the necessary papers for her adoption of Elsie and Ted. Mr. Hamber-
vi
BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
ton recommended that a certain middle-aged tutor take charge of the children, and prepare them for an academy. This advice Mrs. Huntington gladly accepted.
Elsie and Ted were by no means the ignorant gamins they might be sup- posed to have been, but, on the contrary, could each read, write and converse upon matters of ordinary importance, as the foundation of a good education had been laid by their mother before her death.
CHAPTER II.
THE first week in September, the New York tutor, James Harcourt, an exceedingly tall, slim, clerical-looking gentleman, but a ripe scholar of nature, arrived at the mansion and took charge of Mrs. Huntington's wards. Mr. Harcourt's hobby was botany and geology, and while he usually wore a dis- mal, woe-begone look, yet, when interested in his favorite topics, a great change took place in his physical make-up. While discussing or explaining these subjects his sad face would be illuminated by a strange light, and a serene smile would play over his countenance, making him a peculiar and interesting study. The children were by no means confined to house and book-study alone. After the morning hours of study were over, considerable time was passed in the fields, or on the banks of the Hudson, either in the study of plants or the examination of rock formation. Thus from the start the children grew healthier, both in body and mind, under the tutorship of Mr. Harcourt.
Five years and more have passed and gone since Elsie and her brother Ted have been adopted by Mrs. Huntington. All pleasant happy years, both for the children and their kind-hearted guardian. The last three years, except during vacations, have been passed by the children in school at Boston. They had worked hard, and won many laurels, so that their guardian might have every occasion to feel proud of them.
Dear, kind-hearted Mrs. Huntington, her whole life was now centered in her accomplished young wards. Her only happiness was to make them happy. After the summer vacation was over, and the children had returned to Boston, Mrs. Huntington, with all the care of a loving mother, had refitted Elsie and Ted's rooms at the family home, for their reception during the coming holi- days. The only luxury the good lady afforded herself was an excellent life- sized painting of her brother Edmund, taken from life, by a celebrated English artist, just before Edmund had left for India. This painting, which was so true to life, she had placed in the drawing room, so as to show to the best advan- tage when the room was well lighted.
It was in the early twilight on Christmas Eve, when the limited express on the Hudson River railway, rolled into the little depot, at H-, near Mrs.
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BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
Huntington's home, and, within twenty minutes, Elsie and Ted were being fondly embraced by their affectionate guardian, who immediately sent them to their rooms to dress for dinner.
Mrs. Huntington sat in her cheerful, well-lighted drawing-room, waiting for her wards, and musing upon the strange incident that had given the orphans a good home, and blessed her with two affectionate children, when the door opened, and that beautiful vision, Elsie, just budding into womanhood, entered the room, followed by the gentlemanly, handsome Ted. Elsie gave a hop, skip and a jump, and the next instant Aunt Evelyn was nearly smothered by that impetuous girl; then Elsie and Ted joined hands around her, and sang a rollicking school song, much to that good and sedate woman's astonishment. The song over, they started, one on each side, to escort their guardian into the dining-room, when Elsie's eyes fell upon the life-like painting of Edmund Mor- timer. Elsie gave an astonished little feminine shriek, and almost fell into the arms of Mrs. Huntington, as she exclaimed, "Oh, Auntie, that is papa," while Ted stood dumbfounded, staring at the painting.
The resemblance between Ted and the painting was so striking that when Mrs. Huntington recalled the picture of her brother Edmund at Ted's age, she at once knew that her favorite brother was reproduced in Ted. She was satisfied that Elsie and Ted were her brother's children, but, that there was an un- solved mystery that would soon be solved.
It was a happy little family group that dined together that Christmas evening. It was the happiest moment that Aunt Evelyn had known since the death of her husband, and it was indeed the happiest hour the children had known since the death of their dear Italian mother.
Mrs. Huntington's letter to her attorney, Enos Hamberton, had not yet reached him, before he left New York to consult with her upon important business matters of recent development. One stormy, blustering night, shortly after Christmas, the aged attorney arrived, and imparted to his client the startling information that Lady Mortimer, her brother Sir Phillip Mortimer's wife, had died early in November, and that Sir Phillip had himself died shortly after, leaving all of the Mortimer estate to his sister, except a large entailed estate, which descended to his brother, Edmund Montrose Mortimer. The rent rolls of the estate amounted to £20,000 annually.
Mr. Hamberton staid at the family residence for several days, and before he left for New York he was thoroughly conversant with the early life of Mrs. Huntington's wards. Early in January, after Elsie and Ted had returned to school, the family attorney made another visit to his client and produced records of a startling nature, found in the old trunk, which had been recovered from the possession of Elihu Sleek, the beggar and fence in Low Street, New York.
viii
BOTH SIDES OF LIFE.
Among the letters found in the old trunk was one written by Sir Philip Mortimer, and addressed to "Edmund Montrose Mortimer, Esq.," at Calcutta. This letter was evidently an answer to a request for money. Sir Philip, in his sharp, crusty manner, denied the request to forward £500, and closed his let- ter by saying that Edmund's roving habits were a disgrace to the family name. Edmund evidently dropped the family name when he left India, for there were several letters received by him while at Milan, address, "Edmund Mont- rose, Esq." Among the important papers was a marriage certificate certifying to the marriage of Edmund Montrose, of Essex, England, to Veola Marcella, of Milan, dated September 27, 1859. There were two certificates of birth reg- istrations from church records; one certifying to the birth of Veola Elsie Montrose, daughter of Edmund Montrose, Esq., and Veola Marcella-Montrose, born at Milan, on June 16, 1864; the other certified to the birth of Edmund Philip Montrose, Jr., son of Edmund Montrose, Esq., and Veola Marcella- Montrose, born at Milan, April 13, 1866. These records established Elsie and Ted's rights, as the heirs of the estate of their father, Edmund Montrose Mor- timer, and entitled Ted to be called Sir Edmund Philip Mortimer.
Mrs. Huntington's wards remained at school until the following summer vacation, then, in company with their guardian, Aunt Evelyn, sailed for Eng- land, where most of their time has since been passed upon their English and Irish estates.
A SCENE NEAR NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY.
GRAND CANON, YELLOWSTONE.
A. C. Feldt Co.,
erchant
Tailors,
390 E. Water St., Milwaukee.
Our Fall and Winter Goods have arrived and are now ready for your inspection.
EAST ENTRANCE TO HORSE PLAINS, CLARK'S FORD, OF THE COLUMBIA.
Joseph Jflanner,
£
Milwaukee, Walis.
R ARELY a year in business in this city, he has one of the largest Musical Establishments in the West, and besides dealing largely in Pianos and Organs, Mr. Flanner has gone extensively in the Sheet Mu- sic Publishing, and among his most popular publications are:
" Hearts" : : : : : .
:
"As We Sang and Played Together"
" Silence is Golden " :
:
:
:
" Love's Vigil," etc. : :
..
:
:
The words of this last song are by Eugene S. Elliott, a prominent Milwaukee writer.
The
Canon of the
Missouri.
The traveler who goes to the Coast via the
NORTHERN
PACIFIC
RAILROAD
will find this canon an interest- ing feature of the ride. Be- tween Bozeman and Helena, the Missouri, fresh from the con- fluence of the three streams that give it birth, tears along for twenty miles, through a winding canon that affords many fine and striking bits of scenery.
...
Lake Coeur d'Aléne nestles sleepily among the mountains of the same name. This lake and the Coeur d'Alene River form part of a ride of exceed- ing interest to the tourist. Leav- ing the
NORTHERN
PACIFIC
at Missoula by a branch road the main line is again reached at Spokane after a most pleas- ant side trip. If going that way, try it.
The
Lake of The
Coeur
d'Alene.
......
THE . NORTHWESTERN . MASONIC . AID . ASSOCIATION,
HOME INSURANCE BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
J. A. STODDARD, V. P. and Manager. DANIEL J. AVERY, Pres't. CHAS. A. CAPWELL, Sec'y
CLAIMS PAID, $11,000,000.
Certificates in Force, 58,000. Insurance in Force, $156,000.000. Cash Surplus, $800.000.00.
Non=Masons Accepted When Properly Recommended.
No Annual Dues. Policy Practically Incontestable. Second notice given before a member is lapsed. Non-forfeitable after five years.
Wanted-Live: energetic agents seeking permanent and profitable employment are requested to correspond with home office. Write us for a testimonial circular and see what our Chicago members say about us.
C. E. HAMBLETON, Gen'l Sup't Soliciting Dep't.
DO YOU WANT A
Business Education?
The
J. D. HESS PRACTICAL BUSINESS AND
SHORTHAND SCHOOL,
PIONEER PRESS BUILDING,
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA,
Is the LARGEST exclusively Shorthand and Typewriting School in the Northwest.
The only School in the NORTHWEST employing certi- ficated Teachers of KNOWN ability and reputation.
We make a specialty of INDIVIDUAL instruction in the Principles of Phonography.
We interest ourselves in securing situations for our grad- uates.
ATTEND THE BEST.
BARCLAY'S PARALYSIS CURE.
Strengthens the relaxed cords of the hand, wrist and arm. Cures tele- graphers' and other writers' paralysis and cramp of many years' standing. Stiff joints caused by accident cured. Sent to any address, postage prepaid, together with full instructions, $3.15.
ADDRESS,
ROBERT BARCLAY,
FORT HOWARD, WIS.
THE MARR & RICHARDS ENGRAVING CO.
ENGRAVERS BY ALL PROCESSES.
A CUT
HALF-TONES made direct from photographs or drawings. HALF-TINT engraving a substitute for wood engraving; all subjects may be produced by this method. WOOD-ENGRAVING, the best method for machinery and all mechanical subjects. STENCILS, SEALS, STEEL STAMPS and all kinds of engraving on metals. You will find our prices no higher than you are paying for inferior work.
MARR & RICHARDS ENGRAVING CO.,
We refer to the illustrations in this book as specimens of our work. Mack Block, MILWAUKEE.
MINERAL ANALYSIS. URINALYSIS.
ANDREW S. MITCHELL,
Chemist and Assayer,
Examination and Analysis of Minerals, Ores, Alloys, Fuels, Water, Furnace and Commercial Products care fully made,
Chemical and Microscopical Examinations For the Detection of Poisons and Food and Drug Adulterations A SPECIALTY.
ORDERS BY TELEPHONE PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.
436 Milwaukee Street.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Telephone 1712.
AGENTS WANTED! « MEN OR WOMEN. LOCAL OR TRAVELING,
for the fastest selling articles now on the market. Sells to all nations and all classes of people, especially to Germans and Polish classes, they having the reputation of being the most difficult to sell to. These articles sell on sight Anyone who is willing to work, and has a desire to make money, can easily make from Five to Ten Dollars per day by handling these goods. If you are out of work, or not making as much money as you are capable of making, try this business. Enclose 25 cents in 2-cent stamps for samples, circulars and terms to agents. Address,
W. A. ANSDORF COMPANY, OSHKOSH, WIS., Commercial Building.
THEODORE GLUSCKEE,
THE FASHIONABLE TAILOR,
Repairing, Cleaning and Pressing Neatly, Cheaply and Promptly done.
(IN BASEMENT.)
410 BROADWAY, MILWAUKEE.
BLOW IT OUT, IF YOU WANT TO!
LEAVE THE GAS TURNED ON IF YOU HAPPEN TO !
THIS IS THE
nly Practical elf-Glosing as Burner
EVER INVENTED.
Inexpensive. Saves Lives. No Suicides. Prevents Injury. Stops Suffocation.
Fits Any Fixture. Gas Bills Cut Down. Flame Out, Flow Stops.
Lighted like any other. Closes itself when Light is out. Simple, Quick Action. Durable.
HEREAFTER-Is death from escaping gas murder, or is manslaughter excusable? HOTELS AND HOTELKEEPERS will not wait for legislatures, lawyers or courts to determine or fix their penal or pecuniary liability.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH POUNDS OF PENALTIES.
BADGER STATE SELF-CLOSING GAS BURNER CO.,
211 Wisconsin St.
Milwaukee, Wis.
A LIFE SAVER AND A MONEY SAVER !
NO GAS ESCAPES WHEN THE FLAME IS OUT.
MATTHEW KALT,
Dentist
COR. MASON & EAST WATER STS.
Room 2. MILWAUKEE, WIS.
1 Above Preusser's Jewelry Store.
CHAS. A. PRAHL, MANUFACTURER OF
Artificial Limbs and Apparatus
FOR ALL DEFORMITIES.
Elevated Feet for Shortened Limbs, Braces for Weak Ankles and Spinal Curvatures, Elastic Stockings, Trusses and Crutches. Limbs Furnished on Government Orders. Perfect Fit Guaranteed and Every Limb Warranted. Prices for Limbs are $50.00, $65.00, $75.00, $85.00.
NO. 300 GRAND AVE., COR. THIRD ST.,
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
GEO. P. DANA,
DEALER IN
Shelf Hardware, Stoves, Etc.,
No. 532 MAIN STREET,
FOND DU LAC, -
WISCONSIN.
WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES
NORTHERN PACIFIC RALLADAD CO. LESSEE
Wisconsin Central Lines.
(Northern Pacific R. R. Co., Lessee.)
TWO THROUGH TRAINS DAILY
BETWEEN
CHICAGO,
St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ashland, Duluth.
IRON MILL AT FOND DU LAC.
Through Tickets Sold and Baggage Checked to all Points in the United States and Canadian Provinces.
For Full Information, Addres
JAS. C. POND,
General Passenger Agent,
CHICAGO, ILL.
Standard Paper Company,
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