Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1866-12-05

tuous pity. AS soon should the oeggar
at the gate think of wooing Hetabell as l,
bound apprentice. Blu: when he had
drunk more ale than usual on Saturday
night, he was in the habit Of coupling
Hanks name with his daughters, and
bringing the bushes to her face by talk
ing of the great wedding they should
have she and some one not far away step
ped off.
1t used to make my blood boil to hear
him. You see was in love with He:a-
bell even before knewit. So was Hank,
in his own brutal way. I was jealous Of
him. He was not jealous of NE, because
he had no fear of me, yet he hated me for
loving her. At last it came to blows be-
tween u.s. He was twice my strength,
but somehow mastered him for once,
and stretched him bleeding on the smithy
floor. He never forgave that. From
that moment my life was unbearablc as
his coarse insult could make it.
I was just out of my time. l was not
bound by law or right to stay at the
smithy. Yet l knew what questioning
and wondering there would be, and re-
solved to leave it quietly to tell no one
no one but Hetabell-of my determi-
nation.
One evening l met her in the meadow
where the COWS were waiting to be MIXED
Red Sukey and White Molly-patient,
mild eyed byatcs, who knew ne, and came
toward me with their slow, heavy steps.
The tutter- cups were thick in the grass,
aud the apple tree was rich with blossoms.
Under it we stcod-she and I.
"Hetabell " l said, 81 am going away
from here | can't stand it any longer.
I've borne it long while now. But there
is a point no man can pass. You know
that's come, Hetty, as well as can tell
you"
II know Hank is brute" she said.
"And your father not too kind" | add.
ed. She bent her head.
"I'm sure father likes you,' she said.
"He used to like me-" said |, perhaps
be might still, were not in Hanks way"
"In his way ?'
Yes, Hetty. He is willing to give
you to him, or rather to the butchers
and he knows want you for my
selt."
bent over her. l could not see her
eyes, for the lashes shaded them but |
saw the color on her round check deepen,
and took heart.
YES, Uetty," said l, Il DO want you.
You are the only one thing worth having
in the world. l can't let Hank have it
all his own way without a word Can
you like me just little, Hetty %
II always have liked you, JAM" she
said.
"Bctter than Hank 2"
"Yes, Jan"
I put my arm about her waist and kiss
ed her She was very shy about 1t, but,
for all that, she did not hinder me- Then
said:
'I'm going far away, Hetty-Tm going
to try to make man and gentleman of
myself. 1t may be years before I come
back, able to claim you; but you'll wait
for me, darling, won't you? and make me
strong enough to fight the fight out, dar-
Iing?"
"I'll never forget you," she answered,
and I'll be very glad to write, JAM
Then she began to weep. at will be
lonesome when you are gone," she said,
md l took her in my arms again.
had always worn my mothers wedding
ring since 1 grew old enough to have it
given to me. Now I took it off my finger
md slipped it on hers, kissing finger and
ring together.
"God bless you, Uetabell," l said, "and
bring the time when l shall call you my
wife"
We parted that night. She came to
he gate with me and watched me in the
noonligh. out Of sight.
had left respectful note for my mas
er and had not wrongcd him Of penny
worth of work, for weeks wages were
lue.
I had my little savings in my pocket,
ny wardrobe in bundle over my s17uld-
r, and l thought, as l trudged along, OF
distinguished men of whom had read,
vho had begun life as aumbly.
There is something in this world worth
having, l thought, besides flesh and mus