Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-22
l was very brave until stood face to face

Nnlstico ulerTlly all the way nome, and
after had met Jem and the rest, and We
had settled matters, could not help turning
into the shed where our little red sleigh
stood, and looking into it. 1t was shabby,
and the cushions needed patching. took
it in for mother to do. She had no cloth to
match, but she put blue piece in. A good
square patch; but velvet cushions would
not have been fine enough to my mind for
Hepsy.
'Its shabby said, "confoundedly shah
by"
That's Almost swearing, Almon," said my
mother. whats the matter with the sleigh
a'sudden2 II used to be good enough
Coin to take giil out2"
Who ever went ON seigning party
alone2" | asked.
"'Twould look funny" said mother. ia,
those sleighings. | was fond of them once.
I'd as lief you'd put my feet in tub o.
water, and ring a tea bell in my ears in a
draughty entry, as to take me to one now
Wrap up well, Almon. There's many a
death caught sleighing. You remember
speaking of my Uncle Eben3"
Yes" said l. did he catch his death
sleigning!"
No" said my mother "IIe proposed
a sleighing. 1t was dreadful thing for him.
What lite she lead him. He couldn't say
his soul was his own while she lived poor
man. Who are you going with?"
"AIiss IIarrows.n
"TGe school ma'aml"
"Ycs."
looking shabby" said mother. "They say
she takes airs. never saw such bonnet
You take notice of it,"
'.Whof ln I kppw of uomnp'c hoppofc
mother9" l asked, poking the fire.
"Oh, WE'LL" said mother, Men don't know
much, poor critters; besides, she'll likely
wear hood, sleighing. But one that puts
all on her back isn't the wife for poor man.
| hope when she marries it will be rich
one"
Il hope so, too said l.
"Eha" asked my mother, sharply. Then
she went on with her knitting with puz-
zled face. There had been a meaning in my
words which had not expected her to ia
thom; but think she did.
After mother had gone to bed l went up
stairs and brought down my writing desk.
There were some sheets of paper and some
delicate envelopes, which had been there for
months stored within, and silver pen and
pen-handle, which had been birthday pre-,
sent in my school days.
took them out, and the ink. bottle Also
The ink was thick, for we did not write
much-either of us.-and l brought the vine
gar cruct from the closet and thinned it to
my liking. Then sat down and looked at
the paper Then went to the stairs and
listened to see that mother was not coming
down. Then actually seated myself, sGuar-
ed my elbows, and began to write. This is
what wrote.
DEAR Miss HARROW Il am no coward
Not, | hope in one sense, but certainly as
regards you. For year have loved. Yet
| no more would have dared to say so than
I would have dared had Jou been queen.
Perhaps becauseI do not cherish hope that
you like me.
To morrow you and will ride together
To morrow had made up my mind to try
my fate, but l know shall not dare to
| speak. So, write. l will give you this
letter to read at home. If the answer be
No" it will be easier for both of US. Will
you try to think well enough Of me to be
my vile some dayl
! love you better than my life, and will
do all man can do to make life happy for
| you. With little help can make my way
| through the world as other men do. | am
young and strong and not utterly ignorant.
If am to have that hope, give me some sign
give me line, your name only, anything
to show me what you mean. If ain to be
miseTable-well then make me no answer
Silence means mo" ] could not bear to sec
you or speak TO you after that.
This is an awkward love letter, no doubt
am not used to writing letters of any kind
of late. | never wrote or said q word Of love
to any one before. That must be its excuse
But were it ever so elegant i: could mean
no more. For offer you all the love of my
heart. The only love have ever felt or shall
ever know ALMoN CRAIG.
sealed this note in the daintest envelope
l possessed, and wrote Hespy Harrow's name
on the back, and hid it in the desk from
mothers eyes-sharp eyes, that looked afte
me anxiously as drove away with old Dob
bin and the little red sleigh the following
evening.
She was ready for me- My mothers hin
was in my mind, and looked at her dress
All l discovered was that it was blue; bu
her furs were good. could judge of furs
"She must marry rich man, or one oil
his way weathward," said. She shall, too
I've more to start with than Washington
had And tucked her into the sleigh, ant
drove off to the place of meeting.
1t was a pleasant drive, and merr
dance ana supper; Out US tue time went o
/ felt glad that had written the letter. Fo
| could not have said what it would hav
said for me. 1t was at the last momen
when we were driving homeward that
| mustered courage to ask her for the littl
reticule she carried, as the other girls did
4 with brush and some flowers in it; for the
! had touched up the curls and braids afte
the windy ride before the dance.
|, "Why do you want it," she asked.
;, "To put something in it which you mus
1 not look at till you reach home, and the
T you can look at it," said
!, You arouse my curiosity" she answered
o II shall look the instant have lamp"
I And as she spoke dropped in the lette
p and snapped in the clasp.
j, Not a word more could speak. But Q
y the door tried, for the first time, to kis
1 her lips eluded mine, and dare not repea
i the attempt.
T took the red sleigh homo and waitet
n waited hopefully, as / know afterwards, fc
g an answer. None csme-a day, week,
}, MONTH Then all hope was over. ha
b seen her. She had given me little coli
n smieess bow. was rejected
o "Mother," ! said that night, tive mu
o have some one to farm the place. Pm goin
to some city"
n "Why2" said she.
d "To make my fortune" l said.
y "FoT that girl-the school maami" asks
d my motherly bitterly.
Of mo" said l, "never for her."