The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-08-05
COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXIV.. mo. "a

"I don't mind it, ] haven't a gay dis.
position, | suppose" said. "But look
here-if you'd like some fresh young
things, I'll show you something" aud
took her to where, behind fallen log,
the first spring violets always grew
There were dozen there now, aud she
went down on her knees to smell them.
She would only pick one though, it
seemed wrong, she said.
That one, after we had walked for an
hour or so, somehow or other, dropped
out OF her hair. She did not know 1t,
but / did, and when she had gone home
l went back and found it lying in the
path, and put it in my bosom. 1t was
so sweet, and fresh, and beautiful that
/ could but think it was like her. l
liked to think so. Oh, what day it
was for me! What a night when
dreamed it over.
Next day was the Sabbath, and did
what / had never done before After
was dressed, angry with myself for not
looking handsomer all the while 1 stood
before the glass, 1 went over to Mrs
Munson's and asked for Miss May.
She came down prettily attired, and
l remember stammering out something
about thinking she might like to go to
church, and would not know the way.
L am afraid could not have remem.
bered the text to save my life, and the
sermonrwas thrown away on me. But
l was very happy-happier than 1 had
ever been before. Only day since
took her over in little wogon, but /
loved her and told her so. 1t may not
be such mighty matter to other men
to have one woman's love, but I had
no one else on earth to care for. So
when she said eyes" and let me kiss
her, it was only shame that kept me
from crying outright for joy. She had
promised to marry me in the autumn,
and after that she would work no more
in the factory. l was saving to buy q
three.roomed cottage in the village, ,and
to furnish it-humbly, of course, but so
tiltlt II oiOulAi bC Il llOulC lOI llCI, anu
when she was its mistress, L should not
envy any king in his palace.
One week we had been more than
usually busy, for it was near the end OF
June, aud we were making fireworks
for the celebration OF the Ith OF July,
and the first that | had seen of Annie
that day l saw in the great salesroom
where we were always gathered to re-
ceive our wages. The men on one side,
the girls on the other, stepping up to
the great desk, one by one, as old Grif.
fin, the clerk, called our names. l
looked across the line Of girls faces, and
saw her smiling at me, but l could not
get near her. Besides. at that moment
my name was called-"Hathron"-and
I stepped up to the desk. Then, fol
the first time, noticed that old Griffin
was not there. A nephew of Mr.. vii
liams, whose name | knew to be Rich
ard James, was paying the hands instead
He was handsome young fellow, and
very gentlemanly.-one of the fairkind.
He had sort of amateur way with
him, very different from the business
like manner of old Griffin, and when ii
came to the girls, he had something
pleasant to say to each one, instead OF
the old mans swapping style. What
he said to Annie don't know, but she
blushed like wild rose from brow to
chin.
Walking home together, she asked
me who he was.
"Mr. James," | answered.; "did you
never see him before?"
"No," said Annie. "How very hand
some he is-don't you think SOP"
gave a grudging "Yes." 1 couldn't
bear to hear her praise him. She might
for all knew, be contrasting him with
me. That was the first pain, but there
was more to come
Besides her daily work, Annie had
got into the way of doing some fine
sew ing and embroidery for Miss Red
ford, beautiful young lady in the vii
lage, and once a week she carried it
home. Generally l went with her, but
there was overwork for the men to dc
one night, and l could not get off. i
frett ed and fumed about it, and, when
the time came, couldn't for the life OF
me, help slipping away to stair-head
window, to catch glimpse of her. Sure
enough, / did see her a good way or
the road, with her little basket on hel
arm, but there was some one with her.
1t was too far to see faces, but l knew
the coat he wore, and it was Mr.. Rich
ard James. He was talking to her ear.
nestly, and, when | could stay no lon.
ger, they were still together-her face
inclined towards his.
l thought of this picture until it
seemed to burn into my heart. 1t was
like my sulky, brooding nature, never
to say one word about it to Annie. One
day, when | made an excuse to enter
the woman's work room, after Mr..
James had gone there, l plainly saw
him slip little note slowly into An
nie's pocket. The time had come around
for her to go over to Miss Bedford's IS
with her work; but that evening in
stead of going with her, | watched her
hiding like thief behind trees and
buildings on the road. She went alone,
came back alone, and / saw nothing fol
my pains, did at church, next Sab
bath, though. When the hymn was
given out, Mr.. James sitting in the hand,
some family pew, seeing Annie in
doubt as to the number-for the old
clergyman did not always speak dis
tinctly--reached over and took hel
book to find the place. When he gave
it back saw there was something be
tween the leaves, and, come what might
would have snatched it, but at that
moment Miss Redford, who sat in The
side aisle, whispered to Annie to show
her the number, and | lost the chance