The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1869-10-15


changed al this. What had grcwn
to be 50 dear and precious to the
hearts<s! sa could not be shared
By tfp one must either win or lose
1t vas net in human nature to sup
pose that either would. voluntarily,
yield to the other: bat even here
oould be seen their honorable and
generous impuls-s. John knew the
evening ols. .vhieh Tom went to see
sweet We Vail. and was careful
not 10 intrude and Tom was equally
careful to give him fair p
Once, indeed, Tom blundered into
the room. wheresthe twoz zsre sitting
quietly together. but he left almost
Immediately, and John. MOTTO beout
done ia generosity. soon followed
Thus were matters 81 Pc cone
menoement Of our story NeithsF Of
the young men had "sold their love-
to 5uob and as for Winnie, al
tbrnassa s'e was ar too sensible not
.sas Te the prgzs She would pos
nrssssf 3 either. shs bad. as 7sat ezs
- ed no preierss- r enc over
other, distributing the favors
= y equally between them SO that
was quite puzzle in the neighbor-
hood as to which she would marry.
for that she would marry one Of them
seemed to be tbs general belief.
Neither had John aud Tom spoken
to. each other. The name. so eften in
their hearts. was never upon their
lips; and though as open as the day
in discussing any other hope or plan,
that which had so much to do with
the future Of - was never men
toned.
John was the fss; to break this ST.
lsnce. It wal the morning of
sleepless night hat he sought Tom
for that purpose.
He found Tom in the barn, looking
at the great sheafs of golden grain
the product of his own patient toll
but his thoughts evidently elsewhere.
Tom. you and have known each
other ever since we knew anything.
Nothing can come between your
heart and mine, old fellow? ?"
Nothing. John P' cried Tom.
graspiDg warmly the hand extended
to him.
cit is very natural." pursued John,
quite relieved at this assur-
ance. "uha' you and I, who have a.
ways liked and enjoyed the same
thing, should love the same woman.
when she happens to be
just the best and sweetest woman in
the world"
You are right, Joh0," exclaimed
Tom, his countenunce lighting up
with enthusiasm. Winnie Vail is
certainly. as you say, just the best
and sweetest woman 10 the world"
"Butwe both can't have her, Tom"
His eountenauce fell at the N ntion
of this iDcontrovertible .act.
mo, John. we can't both have
her"
"And there can never be but one
Winnie Vail-at least to me. Itgs
for her to decide: but she has. as yet,
given no token as to which size pre-
fers. though 1 do think she intends to
marry one of US. But if it be you.
sho uld say God bless you, and her,
too; and try to forget in your happi-
ness my pain and Disappointment
And ifit should be me, we shall new
er be less friends than we are now,
Tom -
Never, John !''
And again the hands were grasped
in that silent pledge of amity, which
remained unbroken through all :he
years that followed.
What was going to propose, Tom,
is that you tell Winnie that we both
love her, and let her choose"
"But you are the oldest, John. 1t
is more fitting that you should do
this than l."
John was two weeks his senior.
mo. Tom, many times have l tri-
ed to tell her what was in my heart
and yours, and failed. You were ev-
er more ready OF speech than I, and
can better speak for US both"
And SO it was decided.
There was a feverish restlessness
in Johns heart that day, which could
only fnd relief, in incessant action
and even MikeSthe hired man, who
was well acquainted with his en-
Ployer's strength and energy, was as
tOnished at the result. But when
the sun touched the western hills be
left the heaps of grain that had been
steadily rising about him. and sought
the open air.
He went into the orchard, which
ran By the side of the road, and from