Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-08-30


ever known finer fellow. He is tall
stalwart, with short. shaggy chestnut
hair, frank hazel eyes, full of honesty and
determination too, and Is silent, hard
working and earnest. The most marked
trait in Harry is cool Independence. He
enters a room with firm, composed,
and stalwart tread, looks everybody
straight in the eyes, smiles slightly, sits
down and opens a book, and all with an
air which | like extremely: the air OF a
man who works hard, has come in to rest,
has nothing on his conscience, is pleased
in quiet way with everything-and
would like to have his supper and go to
bed! Sometimes see Harry looking out
frOm beneath the wide straw hat which
covers his shaggy chestnut curls and sun
burned forehead at Fanny. But you read
little in his glance. L know him to be
in love with her, but he has never spoken
word of love to her, am very sure.
A short walk brought US to the saw
mill, and the scene which met our view
was worth the walk.
Bd1 ohrm rrI. .hy.an-i.4Et f 10 nf
\ All the preceding day and throughout
the night torrent of rain had fallen, and
rude dyke, and so furnished water
power to turn the mill-wheel, was rnsh-
ing on in the widest and most furious
manner that can be imagined. .'0d ~
b. When we approached the spot where
half dozen of the hired hands were
working with Harry to save the dam, the
stream was roaring In hoarse and most
threatening style. Instead of decreasing,
the freshet seemed gathering greater
strength with every passing moment. The
surges lashed the fabric at the dam, which
shook and seemed about to give way. At
one point now, and then at another part
was torn away; the waters gushed
through the gap, tearing it wider and
deeper, and it required the utmost exer-
tions of the men, labOring with pick and
ak, up to their waists in the water, TO
hold the torrent at bay and save the dam.
Harry was sin command" of the squad,
and you could easily see that it was his
natural place. and that the rough work
men looked to him as the natural master.
His costume was not of the drawing
room description. He was up to his mid
die in the water, AK in hand, and had on
neither coat, waistcoat, nor hat. His
arms were naked to the shoulder, and the
water had been dashed over him until his
face and hair were drenched. Tall, mus
cular, cool, directing everything, and fill
ing up .very breach in the dam as rapidly
as it was made, Harry was the genius OF
the scene, and the master of all around
him-to the very water, 1t seemed.
Twice he was swept from his feet and
disappeared beneath the current; once a
timber struck him, and the lockers on ut
tered a terrified scream. An hour passed
in this conflict, and then the dam was
saved. The water had begun to fall, and
the young man came out and walked
up the bank to the spot
where everybody was stan ling.
| glanced from the wet and dirty
youth 10 the elegant Tom Middleton.
The contrast was certainly striking. Har-
ry was brawny athlete, sunburned, with
shaggy locks, coatless, bare-armed, his
pantaloons and boots full of water. Mr..
Middleton was irreproachably dressed
his boots shone, his shirt-bOsom sparkled
with diamond, he wore kid gloves, and
his hat was smooth and glossy. Harry
came up, and as | was nearest, said:
swell, cousin, the dam is all right"
He then looked about for his hat and
coat, put them on, and informing us that
he was going to get some dry clothes as
he was wet, walked toward the houses
tall young giant, moving with long
swinging stride.
Fanny had not said word to him. Did
he notice that fact or look at his rival, Mr.
Middleton? l do not know. But some.
thing has followed this scene; and this
am about to relate.
Fanny and Mr.. Middleton walked oui
upon the lawn in the beautiful moonlight
after tea. and the rest of the family sat OF
the porch conversing.
81 am going to Colorado" said Harry
who was smoking. ~ q
"To Colorador' 1 exclaimed.
| "Yes, cousin. | have position upoi
a new railroad offered me, and think
shall accept it; in fact have made up m!
mind"
This was said coolly, but there was tn
least perceptible alteration in the youth
voice.
"The truth is, Pm rusting here doinl
| nothing. I have no career, and canno
help ANYBODY. / shall be well paid OF
the railroad, and can send home plenty o
money, and live the life 1 like besides"
A step was heard on the grass, and
saw the white dress of Fanny In tn
moonlight. looked at her and saw tina
she was blushing-as to Mr.. Middleton
he looked the picture of happiness.
81 don't believe word of it! W ex
claimed Fanny, with little tremOr in he
voice. "The idea of your going to Col
oradol should like to know what yo
would do in Colorado?"
81 should be transit man on railroad,
, said Harry with extreme composure.
| Fanny tried 10 laugh, but did not sue
ceed.
"You know nothing in the world abou
] railroads." :.
"That is true" returned Harry wit
} his immovable GOODNESS; shut have n
, doubt shall soon learn"
And-and-you really do think OF g
: ing so far from-us all-and Dy yourself!
! This time Fanny was certainly movet
: The small hand resting confidingly upo
Mr.. Middleton's arm was agitated by
7 nervous tremor. The strangest smi
> came TO Harry's face-a rather bitt'
I smile-but his voice was perfectly con
I posed when he spoke.
, ought TO be able to go by myse
' and take care of myself; and intend
travel alone. unless | can get Mr. Middl
;. ton to go with me-"
: The elegant Tom Middleton smiled in
L nd