Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-01-30

there was always more or less jeal-
ousy on our part for the Rev. Mil
ton May. He seemed to have made
himself immensely popular, and we
felt that the quiet pale-taced man
could have beaten US for the Legis-
lature any time.
We had respect for him almost
amounting to awe. One night, COM
ing from our office, we were nearly
opposite Jack Bowman's, who was
lying crushed and dying. The door
was ajar, and the light from tai
low dip was softly thrown on the
bed and forms. At the bedside,
knceling with face uplifted, and
wearing an expression VIC could not
understand, was Mr.. May.
Through the misty years it comes
to us, and we see it with the ,rever-
ence we saw it then. Some pictures
impress themselves SO deeply that
they are never forgotten, no matter
what trials may rasp the mind.
/ Mr.. May was successful.
So much so that it was determin-
ed to start school. Think Of it,!
| A school at Sandy Gulch. Well do
you suppose that they did not want
a school at the principal town ofthe
Territory? Were there no 'calcula
tions to be made in the great flu
ture Of the Gulch. Undoubtedly.
1t must not be thought for one mo-
ment that there were no children at
Sandy Gulch; indeed, there were
more than at any place we had Wis
tied in the mountains-plenty cfwo,
| men and children-but few wives.
Yes, dear reader, it was sad state
in which Mr.. May found society,
when he came to preach and try,
in the name Of his master, to re-
deem the Gulch. Poor Jack! as he
died, blessed his children, and the
black-haired, black-eycd woman,
who had been his wife in the eye Of
the law. but few hours. True she
loved him all the same, and sat
IN moaning and rocking herself back
and forth as though she would shake
the burden OF grief from her shoul-
ders. There were children, there
was to be school. and we expect
ing Miss Grey to teach it. Being
in the position we were, and occu-
pying large place in the confidence
Of Mr.. May, he had informed us that
his board had determined to send
Miss Grey. She was not personal
ly known to us, nor had we ever
seen a photograph of the lady. But
it was no trouble for us to ccnjec-
turc all she must be, as we will Gre
ate some form for the person pre-
sented to our minds usually. Pret-
ty women don't go to Sandy Clutches
to teach, especially young, mar
riageablc ladies; their charms are
too great for them to think Of hid
ing from an admiring world entire
ly for the worlds sake. These facts
common sense dictated to our mind.
SO we prepared-as We awaited
the coming of the mail-for tall,
thir, quadrangular female, with
long nose, thin face, watery, weak
eyes, sharp nose, straddled with,
perhaps, gold spectacles, drab tray
cling dress, blue woolen stockings,
and list shoes-though We scarcely
expected to get glimpse Of them
a bottle of cold tea in one hand and
a blue cotton umbrella in the other.
We waited, kicking our toes in the
Sand, and thinking alternately of
leader for the Weekly and Miss
Gray.
We saw the mail whirling down
the grade, and thought with lively
satisfaction cf our position in the
society Of Sandy Gnlch, that gave
us the privilege of welcoming Con-
gressional aspirants and members
OF the Legislature, and that old
maid school dame.
AS the mail nea'el us we saw a
brown hood with blue linin :, and
the sweetest face it had ever been
our fortune to look upon. The eye
so clear and laughing, the fair shin
ing hair-not dead, but vivacious,
smiling hair-a sweet little mouth,
Nhcse lips looked the very couch of
love, her face soft and round like a
child's.
We were absolutely overcome
and inactive. The crowd did not
try to suppress their joy, but gave
prolonged shout Of welcome.
"Aint she sumner, thought"
'sPwettyer than a chunk OF pure
goldw "Darned if l ever seed any
thing SO trim!' were some of the
many compliments that greeted her,
while we stood rooted to the
ground. Mr.. May had advanced
hat in hand, and offered word Of
welcome. We could say nothing.
Some commonplace remark filled a
moment, and we went to our Office
to write an article on popular Ed
ucation," and fattering notice Of
her arrival. Then we began to
think we had been hasty in leaving
so soon. This was probably the
greatest editorial error we ever
made. We did not think how much
effect kind word or quiet act of
attention would have, or we too
should have carried her bundles to
Mrs. SINNERS, where she was to
board. But we did not, and MIR. May |
did. sEE |
The summer passed.
And with it each day, to the little
school house up the Gulch, passed
Miss Grey. The mountains were
glorious in their varied hues of
autumn. And Miss Grey was equal
ly lovely III her beauty.
Why was it our heart beat more
rapidly and our tough cheek glowed
when she came near?
Why did we feel so backward
about coming forward and walking
home with Miss Grey, IS she came
each evening down the little path,
swinging her sunbonnet by the
strings?
He was not backward, but cool
and self.possessed. He met her
and walked where we so much want