The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-04-24
or lives only a couple o. miles from

Friends? Yes, marin SO soon as |
examine this here leg. It's broke Jist
above the ankle, marm."
.sKnew that before you told u.s." snap
ped Floy.
9. You seem kind o. riled, marm. Yes,
as was sayin', it's broken jist above the
ankle-bad job, marm"
Well, | must try and make him lit
| tie more comfortable; this hot SUN shines
right in his face" said Floy, with co1n-
passionate look at the poor tortured fel-
low. Pressing Farmer Stokes into the
service, she made him strip several arm
ftlls of green branches from the adjoining
trees. Sticking her parasol in the ground,
she disposed the branches over and around
| it, in such manner that it formed shady
bower above her patients head.
"Ah, how refreshing that is J" gasped
poor John. "And now, do go under the
little face will be burned to a coal"
90, no; have on my broad-brimmed
hat" said Floy. Seating herself near the
entrance of the green tent, she waved
! long bough to keep away the flies. John
watched her, dreamy tenderness in his
half-closed eyes. What darling she was,
after all, with her round, child's face, and
sweet, womanly ways!
you are too kind to the cross old bear,
Miss Floy," he said, suddenly; "too good
to him, altogether"
80, don't speak So" said Floy, color
ing violently. 81 wanted to ask your for
giveness for all my impertinence the last
two weeks"
Johns answer was prevented Dy the re-
turn of Farmer Stokes, who, after a very
short and Intellectual attempt to find "their
friends" again obtruded upon them his
somewhat unwelcome presence.
"Can't find 'em. nowhar," he said.
"Keep that ankle well kivered up, miss !;
and here's drop o. somethin' III put a
leetle life into him, maybe"
John drank from the farmers flask, and
seemed somewhat revived by the draught.
Floy resumed her ministrations. The
farmer, lying back upon the grass, watch
ed them both with speculative eyes.
''Darn it ALL he suddenly burst out,
show did you git down here, mister Pm
hanged if I ken make it out at ALL"
"Well if you must know" said Floy,
petulantly, "he was looking for some
thing"
"Pocket-book, eh?''
"No.n
"Gold-headed cane?'
"No, no; a specimen" said Floy, i'm
patiently producing it. "This gentleman
is naturalist, and, in trying to secure
this, he lost his footing and fell"
She held the specimen" out on her lit
tie, soft palm. The farmer surveyed it in
blank amazement.
"IHat ?" he asked, incredulously. Floy
nodded. Mr.. Stokes sat silent a moment,
while a broad grin slowly ocversprcaadl
his leathery cOuntenance. "A miller ~
he exclaimed, at last, with a long, low
whistle.
"Its a butterfly said Floy, indig-
nantly.
so | perceive, marm,'' said the farmer
"Wal, swami"
After this brief ejaculation, he bent for.
ward and, pOlnIng to Jonn, wlrveo eye
lids had again closed, he said, in low
of his wits, marm?"
| ''He hasn't lost them at all" said Floy
staring. "You do ask me the queeres
r Questions"
Why, you jist said he was a nat'ral
didn't you?"
? ''No; said naturalist" said Floy
choking down little laugh, as she an
r swered him.
"Wal," responded the farmer, after
=. pause, II don't 'Zactly take your meanin'
!, But chasin' butterflies does seem raythe
a loony occupation for a man of his age
: don't it?'
You don't understand" said Floy
U
d imep."
''No, miss, do,,'t understand" said tn
s farmer: "It's very keurious business
n altogether"
J. = he dry tone in which he said this
l. and the manner in which he eyed then
= both as he rose to his feet, nearly upse
Floy's gravity again. And, glancing a
John, she saw the corners of his pal
n mouth twitching suspiciously, too.
n "Wal, reckon Ill try and find you
r. friends agin." His tone said plainly
a 81 think you need friends to look afte
q yOu."
0 80, there they are now!" cried Floy
o springing to her feet. Harvey-dea
: Harvey-how glad l am to see you |!
I Her voice broke in sdbs. She was fairl
l. overcome with her long excitement an
- the sudden relief e of my presence
II II "Katy, dear, don't you think John an
u Floy are growing quite good friends
nowW
!, swell, shouldn't wonder, love-" sal
> Kate, with a little peculiar smile, as, leal
# ing upon my shoulder, she surveyed til
re pretty scene below.
7 There, in our rustic arbor. sat job
Durham slight pallor and cumbror
:, crutch the only tokens of his late Hines
!, BY his side sat our pretty Floy, examil
u, u, ing with him the huge portfolio sprea
vi upon his knees, and listening with chill
49, like interest to his entertaining desert
= tions of the "specimens " he ttnfolded
ie her view.
IN IN "a pretty tubtsau,,, said Kate; "b
ie there comes an interruption, in Il
|, shape of Mr.. Stokes. Come, Harveyi we
n; go down."
"a "Good morning, Mr.. Stokes" said
~ meeting him at the entrance of the arbo
~ "you find our patient pretty well reco
~ cred, SIR"
:, go, yes; | shall soon be In condition
;, hunt the 'pesky mlllers agin," John l
eu piled, with humorous glance at Farm
ISL Stokes.
"Humph !" said that worthy, co
We temptuously, sit does seem pity stron
an able-bodied young man like you can't fl
ne better business than that. |"
as "That's fact, Farmer Stokes" said
ng gravely.
es, "He won't git no sensible gal to tack
on herself to him, in a hurry-eh, NJ
!, Floy?" the old man went on.
ny "Pm sure don't know, sir" said Flo
nd assuming an air of supreme indifferen
EFF he ever axes you, Miss Floy, Y
ily bid him frlst quit this varmint busine
)w You can't make grasshoppers an 81
Ias serve for wittles, as they did in John B'
ost lists time"
"A delicate way of putting the matt
~. farmer" said /, as Floy, her cheeks L
bramble-roses, vanished with Kate g |
MT j must inform you that this varmint
siness,' as you call it, is really quit
tie profitable thing for our young 1frie