Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-09-16

wv US|u"'iJ olOOu HIS SIOullu
galnst half dozen well-schoolet
fellows. ALI his face was covered
with eagerness, and the dull ant
plodding look habitual to him hac
disappeared. The spelling wa,
waking him up. But there sa
AbJah Plummer who dida't jJiu
10 the match--Abijah Piumm4r,
the weil-to do beau of the vllI5e
who had no need, mayhap. of book
learning. There he sat anc
laughed at Jobs excitement.
saw an uneasy light in Jobs eyes
as if he were being severely tried
The spelling match Was kindling
him to the centre, it seemed.
A few more words were yet on
the list, and there lay the beauti-
ful books smiling and shining on
US.
beautiful" gaveou the school
master; and Abijah laughed as Job
lgot up to spell it. Job looked at
Abjah, and began, "B-eu--" aud
there was a general scream of
laughter.
Darn III" said Job betw en- his
teeth; "what can a fellow do with
a fool like that grinning at him.
The mastiff was shaking himself
up, and Itrembled for Abij,h.
Order" said the school-mas.er,
and gave out the word again.
1t was my turn. | don't know,
as | say, what imp possessed me
/ this evening, but | Stood UP and
spelled the word with vim. Just
as if [ didn't care one jot for Jobs
defeat, and before | knew it the
blue and-goid prize was put into
my hands. Then | looked at
Job and could have cried.
But every one was merry, and
all were talking and chatting and
laughing as we broke up and said
good night. | wanted to speak to
Job, but there stood Abijah in the
doorway with my shawl in his
his hands, waiting to see me hCme,
and l only nodded to Job as he
stood at the gate with his lantern
to show us the path. Oae after
another the merry party disap-
peared down the snowy road and
winding lanes. Abjah and l were
the last.
'Ill see you down to the creek"
said JOB, humbly; ''it's a rough
road to night" And without an
other word he stalked on ahead,
his lantern cleaning after him.
We did not say much either,
A5ijah and |, we were fJundering
through the soft, thick falling
snow, and somehow it seemed
awkward to be walking in Jobs
lantern-light.
Presently we came down to the
creek, where every angle OF rock
and every elbow of guarded tree
was hecked softly with snow, and
tue creek, which | had crossed
day or two before on my visit to
Farmer DJbson's ran below, gray
and far, an unfamiliar stream,
with downy, treacherous banks
it in-a strange white
fantasy. Over it two stout planks,
crossing few inches apart, served
as a bridge. They we're rounded
and slippery looking tonight, and
one Of them had d slight warp, as
if weather.strained.
Abijah stood moment Oh the
bank surveying it.
"lt's dangerous crossing that"
be said. Il declare, Jennie,
doD't like the look of it."
Tae night was gray and soft
and sill, and all about US Tell the
snow, which seemed to be creating |
itself out of the feathered and |
shadowy underbrush aud the white
luiet atmosphere. The scene
was So strange and weird that l
felt a moments hesitation; the
next instant the imp which had
possessed me all the evening set
NY blood dancing with mischief.
Il promised to be home to-
1ight," said |, eluding Abijah's de.
tanning hand; and with a mock
ng, dancing step [ skipped upon
,he plank.
Abiiah stool still on the mar
yin and looked at me. Job stood
till also one moment, and, hold
ng up his lantern, looked at Abb
jah.
Then he said, sarcastically, "By
,our leave, Mr.. Plummer, this is
bridge for two and if you've no
mind to be Citing over I'll step a.
ong myself"
Aad it was jobs hand that
ouching me timidly, steadied my
steps, and Jobs lam
ern that lickered over the phan-
ON banks beyond the deep creek
,elow that .treacherous plank =