The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-07

said to Belle, unheard by the others
Probably, if you had known, year
ago, how agreeable I was going to prove,
you would not have taken me?''
"Probably not, answered Belle, play
fully; but obstinate, angry Fred, thought
she meant taunting assent.
81 wish to God you had it to go over
again." he muttered hotly, his fine black
eyes fairly blazing with rage.
"Amen'' responded Belle, sadly, and
drawing up her scarf went into the Hall,
followed by the other ladies, while Fred
and the Judge few off down the street as
if stung by the same torpedo. A crowd
of pretty questioners met Belle as she en-
tered the room, for she was as popular as
her husband.
"Mrs. Field is not the room decorated
nicely?"
"Give us some avdicc about this table,
Belle"
'Cousin Belle, how shall we arrange
the flowers? Don't you think large bo-
quet for each table will be better than
several smaller ones!
There was to be soldiers Reception
the next day-the Fourth of July-and
the ladies were experimenting the ar
rangemeuts for dinner that was to be
given. The above important questions
answered, each one went to work; but a
brisk conversation was kept up On vari-
Gus subjects by old and young.
"Girls,what are you wrangling about?'
asked one of the ladies, of party that
were engaged over huge boquet Of flow
ers, but had stopped work in the heat of
their discussion. &
"We are scolding Halle King for hirt-
ing with Birkett Ames; she knows that
he is engaged" "
"Fie, Hallie," said Belle, JestinglY.
"0h, Mrs. Field, you need not take me
to task, retorted the saucy girl; 81 had
just as much of Irritation with Fred
Field when he was engaged to you
''Had you?" replied the imperturable
Belle. sThen all | can say, my dear, is,
that when a girl, shows such fondness
for the property Of others, there is little
likelihood of her having any possessions
of her own"
"Hallie's reply and the triumph of her
companions were checked by crashing
noise and cries of terror in the street.
They rushed to the windows, and saw a
broken buggy, horse lying fat on the
ground, and some terrified men carrying
asenseless body into the news depot, op-
posite
a"Who is it?'' asked several
"That is Charley Fishers horse"
"No, it is not. 1t is Mr.. Miller's bug
gy, and his man has been thrown out and
killed."
aYes, it is his black man, Sam, said
Bessie Maull. She turned and faced her
cousins wife who looked as if transform
ed to stone or chalk Bessie vas kind
little woman, though she would tease Belle
once in while.
"Fred's wife," she would say apologet-
ically, lis such tantalizingly cool crea-
ture, she provokes one"
But now every warm emotion in her
nature is stirred up.
s'lt is Miller's black SAM she repeat
ed. ssIndeed indeed it is, Bell"
"No," said the young wife, in moan.
ing tone, that made them all shiver; ;'no
it is not. 1t is Fred. sa,o hinsl'
She rose up from the seat to which she
had tottered the instant before, and put
ting on her hat and scarf left the room
before the startled women could say
word. .a
eff she did see him, " screamed dozen
voices, show could she know him? Such
mangled facel Why, one could hardly
tell if it were white or blackl'
"Did ever any one see so cool a woman
as Mrs Field?" asked another; 81 believe
the Millennium might burst on. her with
out disturbing her equanimity."
sob, don't say that, cried Bessie, sob.
bing as if her heart would break. "She
feels as much as all Of us put together.
And with this repentant confession oi
faith in.'Fred's wife, the little, impulsiyt
woman rushing out of the room ran dowr
stairs, filled with one idea-to helE
Belle. As she reached the He'll entrance
she saw her son Frank driving his cousir
Belle up the hill, towards her home.
II told her she had better get out o
this crowd said Bessie's brother, Captain
Hale. aShe can do no good. We ar,
going to take poor Fred right up
at is Fred, thenI Oh, Harry, is it SC
bad?'' @
every, very bad, Bessie. afraid h
will never revive.
Bessie plunged impetuously through
the crowd into the news depot.
"Come out, little wife. There, there
dear, do not sob so bitterly. He is breath
ing, and Uncle Hale thinks if we can ge
him home, he may be able to save him
said Mr.. Maull, as he helped Bessie ou
of the crowd, soothing and quieting her
1I"Yes, yes, dear, he is not dead. Go tel
poor Belle. But do not walk up tha
hot HILL You will kill Yourself
| His wife made no reply, but still weep
ling, few like bird up the steep hill, t
carry the good news of Fred's being aliy
to Belle, as some little atonement for he
many teasing acts, which now came bacl
on her remorseful conscience with redoub
led force. ~
Poor Belle! AS Frank Maull drov
her home, she seemed to grow colder an
colder. eso.
1--WE parted in angerl' was all she coul
think. She said not a word, uttered n
moan, shed ne tear, but sat upright, gaz
: ing straight before her, cut of eyes tha
looked like glittering blue ice.