The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-07-25
The old Red sleigh.

desk. There were some sheets of paper
and some delicate envelopes, which had
been there for months stored within, and
a silver pen and pcn.holder, which Lad
been birthday present in my school days
took them out and the ink. bottle Also
The ink was thick, for W. did not write
lmuch-either Of us--and | brought the
vinegar .cruet from the closet and thinned
it to my liking. Then sat down and look
ed ut the paper. Then | went to the
stairs aud listened TO sec that mother wa,
not coming. Then ] actually seated my
self, squared my elbows, and began tC
write. This is what | wrote
DEAR MISS HARRow--I am coward
| hope not in one sense but certainly al
regards you. For year | have loved
you. Yet, | no more would have dared tc
say so than would had you been a queen
Perhaps because do not cherish hope
that you like me.
Tomorrow you and will ride togeth,
er. Tomorrow bad made up my mind
TO try my fate. but | know / shall not
dare to speak, so write, will give you
this letter to road at home. If the an.
swer be "No," it will be easier for both oi
us. Will you try and think we'll enough
Of me TO be to be my wife ono day?
love you better tkan | do my life
and | will do all man can to make life
happy for yo1. With little hope | car
make my way in the world as other men
do. / am young aud strong, and not ut
tcrly ignorant. If | am TO have that
hope. give me some sign-giye a line
your name, only anything to show me
what you mean. II am to be misera
blc-wcil. then make me no answer. ST
lence shall mean "No." could not bear
to see you or speak to you after that.
This is an awkward love letter, nc
doubt. am not used to writing letters
of any kind Of late. never wrote OF
said word of love to any one before
Il That must be It's excuse But were il
ever so elegant il could not mean more
For | offer ali the love in my heart. The
only love have ever ielt or shall ever
know. ALMoN CRAIG.
!: sealed this note in the daintiest en-
vclop | poss .ssed, and wrote Hepsey
Harrow's name on the back, and hid il
10 the desk from mothers eyes SHARP
eyes, that looked after me anxiously as
: drove away with old Dobin and tho little
red sleigh the following evening. She
was ready for me- My mothers hint wa,
10 my mind, aud looked at her dress
8 All that | discovered was that it was blue
but her fars were good, | could judge oI
fnrs
she mus; marry rich man. or ont
on his way weallhward." said. SHE
shall too. I've more to start with thar
Washington had" And | tucked hel
into the sleigh and drove of TO the meet
ing.
Il was a pleasant drive, and a merry
dance aud supper but as the time wen
on felt glad that had written the let
ter For could not have said what i
said for me. It was at the last moment
when we were driving homeward, that
mustered courage TO ask her for the little
red rcticule she carried, rs the other girls
did, with brush and some flowers in il
: I think, for they bad to touch up the curli
and braids after the windy ride before
/ the dance.
| "Why do you want it?" she asked
| ITO put something 10 il which yot
must not look at till you reach home"
said.
/ you arouse my curiosity" she an
/ swered, 81 shall look the instant have
, lamp.
And as she spoke had dropped in tn,
E letter and snapped the clasp. Not |
? word could speak But at the door
{ tried, for the FIRST time, TO kiss her. He
: lips eluded mine, AID / dared not repea
! the attempt / took the red sleigh home
. and waited, waited hopefully, as kneV
0 afterwards, for an answer None came
e "a day, a week, month. Then all the
D hore was over. ! had seen her. Shi
/. had given me little. cold, smilelcss bow
Y was rejected,
Mother" | said that night, 1--WE mus
have some one to farm the place. ! an
o going to some city"
"Why," she said.
"To make my fortune" said.
"For that girl--the school ma shl
asked, bitterly.
"No," said l, "never for her."
Mother knelt down beside me as 50
: on low STOOL She put her hands OF
: my shoulder and looked in my face. /.
j, "Shc didn't dare refuse your" she said
g Boy, know you are in trouble. Tn
5 your mother, tell me-"
y She did not accept me" | said.
s "The naughty mink" said my mother
3 "I -" Then she burst into tears.
: "And that's to part US" she said.
: Not if you'll go with me-" answer
But she would not leave her home, anC
went alone. In the frosty morning, al
j / turned to look back at the little village
D from the top of the old stage, | saw tht
} children filing in at the school house door
t and caught glimpse of Hepsey's dres
|. beyond-only fold of her dress, but
t knew it. The school bell was ringing, bu
T it did not say g turn again " to me, as i
7 should have done, had | been such |
prophet as Wilmington.
made my fortune. ! had a cousin i,
8 New York who was deep in the mysteries
5 of Wall street He helped me SO die
: Luck or Fate. In FIVE years was &
: moderately rich man. My mother want
: ed nothing but my presence. She wouiC
0 not come to me, but urged me to return
: to her. At FIRST nay heart was too weak
! to be trusted among those old familia,
scenes. TO have met Hepsey would have
+ been too much to bear. But time help,
us all. At the end of FIVE years [ wrot,