The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-10-29

1O1y, lu6 SHOtHlak6E, WIFI MS Hal
dozen children out at the toes,a usual
Uncle Billy Rogers, who had crosset
the plains with Colonel Carlton in '46
and, as he said, "was raised in tn
same town, and know'd all the Col
onel's kinstoIk." Uncle Billy's tall
always opened or closed with some al
lGsion to b departed friend.
Tom Brown, The stage-driVer, haC
taken a day off, to be present. Witt
| just theproper amount of dash, h
drove six horses on to the grounds
dressed in characteristic garb-Mexi
can sombrero, immaculate shirt, rec
sash, high-heeled. close fitting boots
drawn over shis pantaloons. After a
slight excess of anxiety in the proper
disposition of his team, with the indie
scribabIe, insouciant air of his calling
he lounged over to where mine hos
of the Golden Swan was standing,
gave q scarcely perceptibIe nod of re-
cogition to Uncle Billy and Tony, an6
remarked, patrOniziugly:
81 say, Briggs, what's all this yert
talk bout the school marm? / DOM
see that she's to blame she seems tC
be = nd-dispositioned critter, and
has alters done her work well. As
for me, I'm id if 1 don't think she's
got good blood in her-thin in the
nostril, wide between the eyes, clean
limbed /; you bet your life there's nc
mustang III her."
ayes, Tom," said Briggs. "but you
know women are women, and natur-
ally hate each other. Ii they catch
one of their own sex out alone, with
out a protector, they all go for her
and this girl seems to be in that fix just
now"
<'Oh, Tom," with half defined side
motion of the head, at the same time
pointing mysteriously to this pocket.
As Tom would have said, ga wink
to blind man is sufficient" and the
three-that is, Riggs, Tom and the
flask, went quietly into the shadow of
the trees.
Uncle Billy looked querulously af-
ter the departing worthless, and said
sadly to Tony, sthe Colonel wouldn't
q dOne that"
The servants had erected the Carlton
tent, but did not know if their mis-
tress would return in time to be pres
ent at the festivities.
During the earlier part of the day
Fanny sat alone, or wandered about
the grounds, meeting cold looks and
averted faces from some, from others
that peculiar recognition SO fraught
with meaning. Again and again she
wished herself far away, and only re-
mained, hoping by chance to meet Mr.,
Carlton.
After the ceremonies had concluded
just as she had concluded to leave
the grounds and 60 across the fields
to her own home, apparently by acei-
dent she happened upon Tom Brown.
The stage-driver, who had hever
spoken to Fanny, touched his hat-a
exhibition of politeness
for him-and said
81 beg pardon, miss; I'm a plain
man aud can't say what | want to,
but if you should need anybody to
speak a,word for you, or take your
part, Tom Brown knows how to do
it"
Fanny comprehended the blunt sim
cerity of the man, and as she thanked
him, the tears which had been all day
in her eyes dropped upon her cheeks.
From that moment Tom was her
slave. lie followed her at respectful
and unohserved distances for her sake
be would have charged and routed the
whole camp. Many a high born lady
has had less faithful and puiSsant
knight.
This incident served to lift the lead
from Fanny's heart. She wandered
down by the tiny lake, and for the
moment was happy. Near at hand
several children were at play, their
parents and the elder ones being else
where occupied. She heard splash,
a scream, and saw little Benny strug-
Cling in the water. Springing for
ward. with rare presence of mind she
leaped upon a rock, seized the child as
be was sinking, brought him to the
shore, pacified him, aud taking him by
the hand led him forward to find his
moiher, At distrnoe was a group
Of ladies, and among them Mrs.
Smith. AS Fanny approached the
circle she encountered the frigid stare
Of Mrs. Smith, who said with metallic
eyes being riveted upon the
tWO-"Benny. come to me; do not
wish you to associate with thieves
and mu=dereFs." aabia
Not far away, with his hat over his
face, stood the stage driver, as if wait
at hand was another knight, Harry
Carlton, who with his mother had
Just arrived upon the grounds, and
had been near enough to overhear
the words. Stepping forward, he
said to Fanny, who stood pale and
ssDo not remain here to be insulted
by these people. Ny mother would
ike to speak with YOU"
And taking her upon his arm he es-
corted her to the tent which had been
prepared for them.
One Standing near at hand would
have heard words of explanation, in
by broken sobs on the part
Of Fanny, with kind and gentle sooth-
ings by Mrs. Carlton; would have
seen Harry start up with a naughty,
word on the end of his
tongue, saving he would find olt
what all this meant, and after short
absence, would have seen him return
ing. his hand clenched, and his big,
burly frame bristling all over with
Indignation would have heard ami.
mated conversation for a moment in
the tent, followed by subdued laugh
ter. 5ss
Shortly thereafter the family car
riage was ordered, and Harry and
Mrs. Carlton, accompanied by Fanny,
left the grounds.
The month OF vacation was nearly
ended; Fanny had disappeared; the
Carlton mansion was closed, and oc-
cup.ed only by servants. Harry and
his mother, were, some said, in the
city some said at the seaside. I...s.
. Upon the last day of the school va
cation, after the arrival of the mail, an
something seemed to ruffle
the surface ofaffairs, in the quiet town.
Curiosity was upon tiptoe, and won-
der was looking out OF open eyes into
open eyes. ina
Mine plethoric host of the inn,
dressed as was his wont, of summer
afternoon. in shirt, pantaloOns and
slippers, from his seat on the table
wiped the perspiralion from his rubi-
cund face, and read to his thirsty
satellites, from the Yerba Buena Tri-