The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-07-14


"And you want me to help your" l
said out loud. "Me I" fa
eyes," he said. "Please."
"Come along" / said. ell show
you what ! have got"
On the farm that was mine there was
one building, little cow-shed. We put
the tools in there sometimes, and L had
a paddock for the door, the key was IN
my pocket.
1t came into my head that 1 could spoil
this evening for him, and spite Fanny,
too. by locking him in the shed. And
IL he had spirit enough to tight me Tor IL
afterward So much the better.
/ led the way down into the meadow
whereit stood, and unlocked the door.
Just look IN" said /, "and see if
that Will suit YOU" ,
"Can't see anything" said he. Its
pitch-dark. Wait, l have match.
He took one from his pocket, and
stopped to strike it on the sole OF his
boot, and then gave him push and
over he went, flat on the floor, and l had
the key in my pocket.
"Youll not make any one hear very
soon, my lad" said /, "and you'll not
kiss Fanny Martin going over the
bridge this evening"
Then / went away and laid myself
flat upon the porch in front of our house
and felt happier than had felt before
for long time.
Revenge is sweet now and then.
do not pretend to have none of the
old Adam in me.
I'd been there about half an hour, and
the chirp, chirp, chirp of the crickets
was lulling me off to sleep, when sud
denly / heard little light step close by
me and saw a woman's white dress fut-
tering, and, jumping up, stood before
Fanny Martin.
The first thought that came into my
mind was that she was looking for her
beau, and it made me fiendish.
sis that you, Miss Martini" said 1.
eyes, Mr.. Burling," said she-and,
though had said Miss Martin, how it
hurt me not to be called Ben. 81 came
over tose your mother. Is she in9"
"No," said 1.
"Then I'd better 60 home," said she.
But she fingered.
"Not looking for any one elsel" said
"No," she said very sadly. "Good
night"
But 1 could not let her go without a
cut.
~ thought you'd be on this wonder
full moonlight drive" said /.
"There ) on were mistaken" said she.
"Did he forget to come for you" said
L. "Mr. Williams, you know"
81 haven't been asked to drive" said
she. 81 don't know why you speak so.
Mr.. Williams, / suppose, is with the
lady he's engaged to. She came down
last week with her mother.
"Oh," said /, and began to wish I'd
asked a few more questions before /
locked young Williams up IN the cow
house.
We stood still, apart from each other.
1 saw her lip culver. Was it for him
Had he Tilted herr That was tit for tat
anyhow.
But she was SO pretty, and so sad, and
SO winning that l felt my heart give one
great throb.. 1 took step nearer-she
took another.
ooh, Ben," cried she, CT can't stand
it, if you keep angry with me. always
have liked you best, but you've been so
awfully cross.
And then she was crying on my shout
der.
Did you ever make up with some one
you'd quarreled with, loving her all the
time2
Did you ever feel, holding the dear
face between your two palms pressing
sweet kisses Oh the dear, soft mouth, that
it had all come back, all the old love, and
trust, and sweetness, and hope that you
thought dead IL you have, you must
know what felt that minute.
found myself again. l was Ben
Burling once more. How strange it was.
Out of all my life I'd like to have that
one moment back it was the sweetest
ever lived through.
Up in the midst of the far meadow rose
4 column of flame.
The cowhouse was en- fire, and had
locked poor innocent young Williams up
IN it, there to be roasted alive.
"Oh, Fanny" / cried, garing at the
horrible sight, I'm murderer
nurderer-don't touch me-"
And away few to undo my mischief,
4 there was time. There might be.
perhaps.
Never was such run as took across
hat long meadow.
When reached the door, plunging
ny hand into my pocket for the key, /
could not find it, L had dropped it
1t was not about me.
civilians !" I cried, Williams are
you there2 l am on the outside. Cour-
lge !"
There was no answer.
"For Heavens sake, il You can speak,
9o,"I shrieked, but silence answered
ne.
Doubtless the smoke had already
,mothered the poor fellow, but I set to
work and tore away the burning boards.
was scorched-my hair, my face, my
eyebrows. Twice my clothes were on
ire, but rolled on tho dew-wet grass,
md was up at the flames again. Oh, it
vas horrible
If he had been my rival it would
nave been bad enough, but an innocent
young fellow; his sweetheart waiting
'or him somewhere
What a monster / was
"Heaven have mercy on me - cried 1.
'' Let me save him, don't punish me