The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-06-07

grace and beauty. She was plainly, even
coarsely clad; but the simple calico dress
and the cheap shawl about her shoulders
were worn with an air that princess might
envy. Her hood, which was the only bit of
bright color that relieved the sober monoto-
ny Of her dress, was thrown back upon her
neck, displaying mass of lustrous black
tresses confined by a simple ribbon. Her
flashing eyes, her mouth ripe as Hebe's, her
cheek, where mingled the tints of the peach
and the olive-but why attempt what words
can not paint ! Had the goddess of beauty
herself fallen down from heaven, l could
scarcely have been more entranced.
"This is my Sally" said Sam again, smil-
ing proudly as he caught my look of genuine
admiration. "Sally, this is Mr.. Trainor.
He's come to stay all night with me-"
The girl courtesied gracefully while the
truant blood again flushed her cheek. To
hide her confusion, she stopped down and
petted Bose, who had pushed his nose into
her hand with the familiarity of an old
friend.
:" brought your supper, father" she said.
I must hurry back, for am late tonight.
l had to go for the cows"
you had to fetch the cows, Sally!
Where's WIFI"
Mother sent him to the store. Mother
wants to know when you are coming home"
Cant tell, Sally. If Joe gifts back by
daylight, p'r'aps ! may come down with this
gentleman to breakfast. Tell ma not to
fret. Guess III git along sometime .
Well--good- night, father; goodnight
sir" And with another courtesy and an
other blush the lovely vision vanished down
the mountain-path.
Guess ye never see many potter gals n
my Sally" said Sam, with a quizzical look
at me as stood straining my eyes to catch
another glimpse of her.
felt as if rudely awakened from a de-
hghtful dream. Could trust my senses
Could it be that this charming girl, or wom-
an, rather, for she was just budding into
womanhood, was the daughter of Sam Tib-
belts? The incoEgruity was startling. With
all due Difference to the many noble qualities
of my honest friend. l could not hel p draw
ing an inward comparison between the par
ent and the Incompatible daughter, which,
could he have read my thoughts, would, l
fear, have forever prejudiced him against
me. As it was, my countenance must have
betrayed something of my feelings, for Sam
heaved sigh, and, picking up the basket
which Sally had deposited on a stump, he
led the way to the hut without word.
A few minutes sufficed to spread our fru-
gal supper, which, eked out with few deli
cacies l had brought, and seasoned with the
sauce of appetite, was eaten, by me at least,
with a relish seldom before experienced
Sam, though he ate heartily, was remarka-
bly, taciturn during the whole meal ex-
erted myself to amuse him, and to excite
his usual flow Of spirits, but with very little
effect. 1t seemed as if Saily's coming had
made another man of him, and L began to
regret my inconsiderate promise to spend
the night. ~
After giving old Bose his proper share of
the banquet, and clearing away the debris,
we lit our pipes and sat down for smoke.
The fragrant tobacco appeared to have
soothing effect on Sans nerves, and we soon
dropped into a desultory conversation on
the various topics with which be was famil-
lar. interrupted only by an occasional visit
to the coal-pit. But it was evident that my
friend was ill at ease. He had lost his usu-
al vivacity, and talked in an distracted man.
ner, quite foreign to his blunt, straightfor-
ward nature. I knew not why, but | felt
that his thoughts were running in the same
channel with my own. determined to find
out before I.left him. But Sam opened his
heart to me of his own accord.
81 amt jest right to might" he said, with
a sigh. 1T amt often get measly when
I've got some'n to talk to; but the fact is.
I'm bothered about that gal O. mine. She's
pooty-too pooty almost-and all the boys
are crazy about her, and / don't know what
to do. Thought p'r'aps you could help me
out"
You may command me, Sam, for any
thing can do" replied, with some curl
osity as to what was coming next. in
what way can serve your" 81
That's jest what l dom know. Bob
Joness Bill is dead set AFTER my Sally. He
hangs to her like a dog to root, and plaques
the life out O. me. Can't talk the critter ont
ont. 1t amt no use to try. If Sally was
my own darter, wouldn't say q word aein
it. Bills good huff boy, but him and her
amt mates, and that any fool can see with
half an eye."
What" l exclaimed, "do you mean
that she is not your daughter?"
Lord love you'll My carter wouldn't
let no Twin man but me say it, but God
Almighty don't put up the Tibbettses in such
patterns as that. There amt hair of her
head that don't love Jest as much as if she
was my own flesh an blood; but she above
me and my kind, and the times come when
she ought to 90 someer else. Bill Jones
amt no more fit for her than bear.cub is
to go to Sunday school"
My curiosity was greatly excited, for T
must confess that this simple country.
had aroused in me an interest which wonld
have thought impossible few hours before
With strong effort to conceal my emotion,
l said:
IF Sally's birth is not secret, will you
tell me her history" 80
"Twon't take long to do that. M vo
remember the Dobbinys that used to live
over on Kent Mountain !? No! Wa.al T
guess it ,ras after you went off. Thew were
French people, and poor as church. mice
Some say they were big folks tn hum. but
the old man got into some scrape. and had
to cut stick. don't know how twas hut
they come here, four on EN-, the old man
his wife, a fifteen-year-old boy, and Sally,
who was jest turned four. Her name Amt
Sally by rights. I call her so cause it comes
more nat'ral than the forrin one she used to
go BY. Guess Dobbiny warnt much used to
work. His hands were az white an tender
as gals, but ne had spunk enough to run
grist-mlll. WAL, he squatted down on two
or three acres over on the side o. Kent
Mountain, up near Gilseys. 1t was all rocks
and brlers, buthe whacked and banged away
at EN- and cleared quite pooty patch. /
was a-living near there then. Me and nv