Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-12-09
Mt5eclla
Love in . Saw Mill.

ploNcd as heal SAWYER in the steam
~aw mill Of l.. ID. Smith u Co.. near
the mining town of s.. Mr. smith
and his family were living in neat
cottage close To the mill. aud often
aud the engineer. James Alton hy
maine, were invited by our cmplnver 10
attend the evening worship held in his
house. -
onc evening, Just as we were takir .
leave of hi- family. we hca i the sound
Of carriage wheels, immcdlatcIy follow
81 by knock at the outer door.
Minnie is coming :" Minnie i
coming :" exclaimed Mrs. Smith, rush
Ing past us into the entry. Her hus-
bandS llowed with light.
a minute after the door opened. and
Minnie. her oldest daughter. was lock-
ed IN her mothers arms.
Minnie Vas a beautiful girl. about
seventeen Years Of age. Three Years
she had passed IN a Young ladies' sem
mary near Ctica. New York, and now
she had returned IL her mountain home.
amidst the pines and ce,lars oil Caliior-
ma.
The engineer and fingered awhile
after her arrival, for both desired 10 bc
introduced TO Minnie smith.
Minnie. Shall MAKE You acquaint-
cd with Louis, our head sawyer, and
James our engineer. | guess You'll be
glad Ia make their acquaintance. for
both are good musicians and excellent
singers. ! suppose your musical edu-
cation has not been neglected :"
Il have learned little instrumental
music, but have no voice" replied she
to her father. after bowing 10 u.s. James
had held out his hand. but she did not
touch II. and saw that he blushed
deeply, while his eyes gllttered re-
vcngciully AT what he supposed her dis
dain
Soon after we left the cottage. On
our way 10 the mill | said
james. old boy, YOU look mad
Why. don't you know that in good So
ciety they never shake hands. but on
ly bow
We'll. didn't know it. But never
thelcss. She could have shaken hands
with me when she saw that held out
my hand replied he. IN a surly tone
then began 10 praise Minnies ;
beauty. and asked his opinion about
her but he gave no answer. When we
parted Tor the hi .ht noticed that his
voice sounded strange As he said:
Don't fall in love with that girl, she
is too aristocratic TO be the wife OF 4
head SAWYER
Four weeks had passed since | be-
came acquainted with Minnie. Almost
every evening James aud could be
seen in the parlor Of the cottage. soon
it became known that Minnie and
were engaged 10 be married within six
months do not remember how
confessed Iay love. all know is that
she pressed my hand as asked her To
be my wife. while her lips said YES. ="
Her father bad no objection 10 our
union. He had known me for many
Years. and knew That | was able TO
support a wife. He even asked me to
become his partner. to which PROPOSE
tion gladly assented.
One evening Minnie and were Sit
ting al the loot of huge sugar pine.
talking about our approaching mar
riage, when we heard the report of a
rifle, tie bullet of which whispered past
my head
sprang TO my feet and shouted:
"Hailoa YOU stupid fellow, what
are you shooting at"
Il supposed it was deer" answer
ed a well-known voice, and James,
with rifle in his hand. emerged from
some mazanita bushes about fifty feet
from where stood.
"You couldn't take me for deer :"
/ said.
"Yes," answered James. pointing to
my gray hat, in the band Of which
Minnie had stuck some dry branches
from bush close be.
.Ah. see.r said l. taking of my
hat. well, next time you had bet
ter look little closer"
Il will" repeated he. moving away !;
and soon his form was lost amidst the
increasing darkness. Again it SEEM
ed to me that his voice sounded strange.
But had no time to think about it,
for Minnie had tainted, and it seemed
a long time to me before she opened
her eyes. 1t was night before We
reached the cottage.
The next day James Alton gave US
notice that he would leave within ten
days.
Time rolled quickly away amidst the
preparations for our coming maj riage.