The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-02-13

ley Faulkner was gone to the well to &c,
some fresh and cool water, and tho man
was waiting in the hall, Mr.. Faulkner came
in quite troubled, and told his wife and
daughter that the hired inan he had engag
Ell had disappointed him, and he did moi
know what in the world he could do just
now. Haying time, too, he did not know
Of any other person he could employ.
The strangers eye twinkled as he heard,
and, turning to the farmer, modestly Offer
ID his services, aiding that he was not very
strong yet, having only lately recovered
from f.vtr; but shouid be very glad to do
what he was able for his board. His eyes
waadered admiringly to the farmers daugh.
ter rs he spoke.
HIS off-r Was eagerly accep'Ad, hy the f.r
....r. though, out Tor his need, he would
have looked little doub,fully at his slender
figure and delicate hands.
"Why, father" whispered the more care.
ful wife, ''he may be thief, or State Prison
convict" -. ......-. ....
Nonsense, wife! Just trust me for the
reading Of countenan'es. He is as honest
fellow rs ever breathed," said the farmer,
decidedly. .1
And SO the stranger stayed. It vas
somewhat remarkable that an * .eption to
all preceding rules was made in his fav,r;
and that he daily sat at the same table
with Mr.. and Mrs. Faulkner, Garry, AMI
her little brother. -.
It must be confessed, however, that Mrs.
Faulkner had some scruples, at first. about
breaking old customs, and establish . pre-
cedent which might be productive Of trouble
with other help, hereafter; but she was
overruled by Carry and her father. It is
uncertain If Mr.. Smith duly appreciated
the honor Of this exception in his favor,
possibly not expecting any Other course Of
proceeding. Most certainly, he seemed per-
tect'y ut hume wier> he was placed.
Genial, witty, g Cd natured, he was soon
. great favorite with the family. He and
Carry became good friends, but, in spite Of
the destinations of the latter, he had not,
thus Far, exhibited, in the least, serious
symptoms Of any affection of the heart
Miss Garry began to fell injured ut his ap-
parent insensibiiity.
At the little merry makings in the neigh
bornoOd, it seemed matter Of no interest
to him whom she coquetted with, so long as
there were other pretty girls present. And
in spite Of his mcnial situation, the prvtti-
est and the best looked very kindly upon
him, fr he was gay and handsome, and
aparty was rot thought complete unless he
was present.
The squire's son turned very cold
shoulder to him, however; and when he
met him he would look as If he did not sec
anybody, though he had been introduced
any number of times
But it was all the same to Mr.. Smith, and
ne made himself vastly agreeable; told
stores and proposed all sorts Of new games
they had never SO much as heard Of; and
the young ladies laughed and thought then,
charming, while tn. young squire frowned,
and muttered "impudent T.
As for Carry, sometimes she laughed the
merriest Of them all, and sometimes she
iidn't. She was governed by all sorts ot
caprices, in this respect. It was the opin.
ion of the young people generally, includ-
ing, Of late. Mr. Smith also, that Caroline
Faulkner, in her heart, Gf she had any, }
liked the young squire as well, if not bet.
ter, than any other gentleman. and would
eventually listen favorably to his suit; for
he was rich and good looking, and many Of
the richest girls in the country would have
jumped ut the chance Of marrying him
and Garry would have only moderate por-
ton. He seemed in better favor than ever
previously.
Of lat coldness had existed between
Carry and Mr.. Smith. perhaps arising from
the fact that he had one day invited her to
accompany him to 4 pic mic. Her heart was
Asnfk. MI u. 4. r
it was the first time he had ever given her
an invitation to accompany him. Just be-
fore the time for starting, the squire drove
round in new buggy, for her. An un-
fortunate caprice seized her to &" with him,
Just to see," she said ''if Mr.. John Smith
would mind it."
Mr.. Smith didn't mind, or didn't seem to,
and it was quite as well. He was glad she
pleased herself, and appeared quite as usual
ut the pic mic; ut which the inconstant girl
was sally disappointed-for she had hoped
he would he mind good deal. But, some.
how, after this she felt change; and he
had never invited her to 60 anywhere since
-th Dugh once, when she was once half dy-
ing to 60, and the squire, offended at some
thing, kept provokingly al,of; Mr.. Smith
had tine coolness and impudence to GO off
alone and Leave her moping at houue.--
Could she ever forgive hinl-the strange,
man?
One morning. quite early, the young
squire went, as It accidentally, to tho place
where the worthy old farmer was at work;
he praised the farm and crops, and then
carclessly said:
'.Mr. Smith is quite valuable help, is he
noty BY the way, where did you pick him
ap,"
The good farmer, in the honesty of his
noble heart, related the whole circumstance,
not emitting his wife's fears and hesitation
md exulted in the proof o. his own sharp
;ightedness, adding:
can tell q rogue as far as can see
,im. Smith has been with me something
'vcr two months, and now he seems Is dear
- me as my own son. have to be some
what careful Of him, for you see he ratll-
r dslicatr, and should not think had been
lsed to much hard work"
"You say h. came from up above! The
State Prison is in that direction, is it not ="
Isked the squire in . peculiar tone.
But It was all to no purpose. The gen.
rous farmer was too honest himself to un-
lerstand more than people actually said, so
le answered cheerily:
Certainly; it is only about twenty miles
rom here. You ought to know that your |
elf, squire"
20 no! l have you now, my fine fellow!"
le said to HIMSELF
At social party, two evenings after. to
vhich Caroline and Mr.. Smi b had been in.
tied some days previously, the latter did
'ot 90 till quite late. 1t appeared to him
n his entrance, that his cheerful greetings