Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-09-13

JOB had never been q beau. In fact
tne good lassies of the neighborhood al
ilked him for his kindness and simple goo,
humor; but they called him Uncle Job
and never dreamed of his being In tn
matrimonial market-nor was he. In an
pearance Job was not at all striking. A
we have said, he was little fat man, no
over-fat, however, but a little beyond
what might be called plump; with thin
dark beard, curling over his cheeks anC
chin, a straight nose, broad forehead, anC
double fold of flesh on his throat. Hi:
eyes were dark gray, flecked with brown
and his hair, lighter than his beard, lay In
refractory kinks about his neck and fore
head. His mouth was almost feminine
In its delicacy, and his small, even teeth
were white as ivory. The reigning look
OF Jobs face was dreamy mingling of
mirthfulness, contentednesss, and general
placidity of disposition and now, as he
lay there in his loose-fitting garments OF
greenish-gray jeans, his brOad-brimmed
straw hat slOuched on one side of his full
rounded head, he looked as free from care
as any sleeping babe. And so, no doubt,
he was.
In less than half an hour he had finished
the little book, and flung it aside to watch
the dragon-fiies and other bright-winged
insects fit to and fro above the blue water
of Sand Creek. Now and then perch
nibbled at his hook; but he was always
too late with his jerks, a thing which he
seemed to take quite as matter of course,
without the least sign of annoyance.
The position in which he lay, on ac-
count of broad-spreading maple bush,
gave him but limited view of the water
and barely a glimpse of the opposite bank,
so that when all of sudden, gaily-
colored fly, such as is sometimes used by
amateur anglers for black bass, came
down upon the surface of the brook, quite
close to his line, he, at first, thought it
real insect; but, presently, a fine silk line
dawned on his vision and Job became
aware that some one had cast from the
other bank.
Scarcely three seconds elapsed before
there came great break in the water as
a fish of about four pounds in weight rose
to the fly, fastening itself on the hook.
Job could see nothing of the angler, but
he could not fail to recognize the skill
with which the game was managed by the
unseen hand, and he plainly heard the
peculiar sound Of whirring stop-reel as
the fish swept in long curve across the
current Of the brook, the line fairly sing
ng through the water.
ats one of them fellers from Indian |
lpOlis, reckon" muttered Job. moving |
llong the bank by a sliding motion, as he |
'poke, and striving to peep under the low |
hanging sprays Of the maple.
Presently two tiny morocco boots met |
his eye, and just above them the lowest |
inc of a light-gray skirt. The delicate |
min of xxyhifa frv1dor- PC
we're barely visible, also.
he same time continuing his sliding mo
ion. By-and-by, he reached a point
whence he had a most charming view of |
he angler-a girl of sixteen-pretty as
'nly girl of that age can De.
"Glory !" calculated Job. using his pet |
"Glory! but amt she
weet one?"
Everything considered, 1t is no wonder
hat Job was touche,. A more perfect /
'icture of tender loveliness and inimita-
lie grace could hardly be imagined. The |
hin, outer sprays of the young maple in
ervened Just enough, so that swaying to
he gentle impulses of the wind, they
eemed curtain of green gauze, lightly
eiling the maiden from head to foot,
trough which her charms cleaned like
hose flashes of supreme beauty seen in
ur happiest dreams-a glimpseit was, of
Through riffs Of shimmering foliage. like
star"
"Glory !" repeated Job; but, his voice
lade tender by the genuine admin alton it
)ntained, melted into, and blended with,
le murmur and ripple of wind and
,ream, thus becoming part OF the rich
lusic of summer, to which the whole
'orld was listening. At this moment the
role, reveling in the flame of his plum
&c, drifted across the brook and lit on
ough, just above the girls head.
"GlOry!" The expression Of Jobs
ce, as he spoke, was that of man be-
ildered in maze of new sensations.
omething was astir in his honest breast
which, hitherto, had slept
} quietly there that he was unaware of
s existence as part of his placid ma
Ire.
Meantime the fish was rushing about in
le water, now deep down now founder
x on the surface, while the tiny-gloved
and that held the rod played him at will.
Db watched the young girls face and
rm with intensely burning eyes. Every
ature of that face, and every outline of
lat gracefully-swaying form spoke of a
CHER realm of life than job had ever
-eamed of. He knew all the plump,
'sy-cheeked lassies for miles around-but
lis was one of q different stamps
alden far more ethereal and refinedly
vely than any heroine of cheap romance,
It as positively flesh and blood, as un-
real ss the most buxom of ,
s rustic acquaintances. A something
arm and tenderly thrilling seemed to
,amfrom the maiden right into the inner
ost place Of Jobs heart, and start into
dden leaf and bloom a thousand hither-
lifeless things.
The sounds of wind and water, the
rd-songs and the rustic Of summer
aves had now q new meaning, and a
carer, sharper hint of an all-pervading I
nderness in nature, was filtered through
e sunshine.
While Job lay there reveling in the ex-
lisite sensations of q pleasure 80 new to
m, the fish suddenly became unmanage-
lie, and, despite the skillful efforts of '
e young angler, succeeded in rushing
to bushy tree-top, lying In the water q
ar the farther shore, where the line at
ice became hopelessly entangled. Job {
w a ripple Of perplexity run over the
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