Smyrna times., 1875-11-03

toward the window where the fair Jenn,
sat in watchful expectation. Not until h,
reached his own door did he draw a Ions
breath.
a." 1t seems just like dream,'' said he tc
himself, as he slowly unbuckled the bor
ness. "To think of Jenny Bates kicking
her own father and biting her own little
brother, and she looking as though butter
wouldn t melt in her mouth 1t is lust as
mean, though, in the deacon to lick as 'tis
for her to kick. The old hypocrit.
Well, l must say I'm nightly deceived
IN the Bateses. l s'pose Elnathan Rogers
feels cranky enough now he's got her. I
just hope she'll kick his head off. Lucky
for me overheard what did"
Notwithstanding this self c1atulation
Hiram felt all the pangs of disappointment
and Jealousy. He had not only lost his
girl but he had been cut out in tho
most mortifying manner by man held in
thorough contempt. Hefelt that even with
what he now knew of Jennys faults. if he
could gam her hand he would carry her off
IN spite OF his rival or the deacon either.
A week passed by, and Jenny was never
out OF Hirams thoughts. One day he went
TO the village, and while there, standing in
front OF the postoffice, Elnathan drove bv
with the deacon's mare.
81 s'pOse now he's got Jenny. he thinks
hes got right to the whole property"
muttered Hiram. ~ wish to gracious the
mare would put her feet through the dash
bOardr -
That night the singing school met at the
Academy. Hiram came late. He usad 70
SIT with the tenors just behind Jennie Bates
Now he chose different seat, and tried
hard to sing base. He could not however
heip seeing Elnathan Rogers pass pepper
mint lozengers to Jenny, and also write
something on the back leaf of her singing
book, which she read and answered
"Of course he'll go home with her TO-
night" thought Hiram. "It'n be the first
time I've missed it for year. He's wei.
come though"
AT the intermission he kept his seat. and
pretended to be very busy looking for some
tune IN his singing book that refused to ho
found. Jennie did not look at him.
The doxology closed the school ot ,ost
ana there was group bustling about the
door, and an eager pushing among the
young men to make sure of their fovoritos
Hiram was trying to make his way through
the crowd, when he found himself at tho
elbow OF Jennie Bates, and at the same
moment the hateful voice of Elnatbon
Roger was heard in the words:
Shall see you home to-night Nice |
Bates p"
No, sir" was the prompt answer, "I
shall walk home alone''
Hiram was totally unprepared for this
Perhaps it one of her fits" he said to
The deacon said she had em
that nobody knew but himself I'm clad
that she mittened, though"
The word mitten reminded Hiram that
ne had left both of his on his seat in the
school room, and he stepped back Just as
the candles were being put out"
Here's Jenny Bates singing book" he
heard one boy say to another. She went
0tf in such hurry tonight that she forgot
It.
"GIve 1T to me, said Hiram, who remem.
oered what had taken place that evening.
md with eager look sought out the written
Message that had passed between Jennie
md his rival. They are as follows:
Tell your father he cheated me when 7
Fought old Jenny. ] thought by her name
he must be good for something, but she
kicks and bites ten times worse than he
'ver told me. | wish now | had spoken ,
or the Jennie in the house instead Of tho
ne in the barn"
And the answer:
] suppose the horse is as good as Won i.
Ieserve. As for you choosing between the
wo you mention, you won't be able to do
nat this year. You have got the only
emmy you can ever get from my father"
light broke in upon Hiram.
Well, of all the internal fools / ever :
eard of, am the biggest A dog would
ave had more sense. It's not too late
Ow thank heaven"
The departing crowd stared as Hiram
18th the singing book in his hand rushed !
own the stairs, two at time, and up the
Dad which led to Deacon Bates. If he
'as not too late he was nearly so, for Jennie :.
'as just opening the gate of the front yard.
Stop, Jenny!" he exclaimed, painting
'r breath. Here's your singing book,
'ou left it on the seat. tried to overtake .
ou."
You needn't have taken the trouble. Mr.. p
enkins; guess no one would have stolen o
)" said Jenny, with a great display of h
ignity, and making a show of going into o
he house. Il
Don't Jenney Wait-wait Just a is
iinute. know I've acted like fool n
ut just let me explain" 81
Jenny hesitated moment, made another b
art toward the door, then turned and u
ent back to the gate where the discom, re