Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-04-12

So without removing the ring, hur-
ried out of doors, and succeeded in
finding q number Of ears that were
large enough, though | felt Into the
husks Of whole rows of those that
We're just beginning to show their
tiny, milky kernels, The dinner was
altagether q success, and the minis
ters seemed likely to be well fortified
for their afternoons work. Mr., Hib-
bard grew almost jocoso over 1t, and
Uncle Reuben's wife, who eame from
the city, and who Is dreadfnly particu-
lar, praised everything, until mothers
face was fairly glowing with satisfac-
ton. But something happened to me
which came near wrecking my hap
piness forever. The ring was missing
from my finger. In my hurry and
hustle I did not think Of it, or know
that II was gone, until ! came to wash
the dishes after dinner. Then II sud-
denly flashed into my mind that
jewels like that would not bear wet
ting, and | wondered how could
have heen such an idiot as to wear it
under mothers very nose--she know
ing nothing ofthe story yet-and why
Sam, my wide-awake, small brother,
had not remarked npon itin hisusual
striking Wanner. Then to my horror
and amazement, ! found my finger
bare and the ring nowhere to be
found. 1t had been little loose, but
it did not seem nearly enough so TO
slip off of its own accord. / ran up
stairs and looked in tho case to see if
| might have absent-mindedly put it
away but no, it was not there.
might have lost 1t In the copH-tields; !;
and, leaving everything as it was, |
rHshbd out there, searching frantically
under and between every stalk that
came In my way, but without success.
The dish-water grew cold, the dinner
table stood in the middle of the floor,
and mother was calling me at the top
Of her vAice, without gainiHg any
reply. Atleggth Master Sam appear-
ed in the corn field, having caught a
glimpse of my pink dress in the
distance, He was always jealous in
bringing offenders to Justice.
"My gracious I! wont you get o
scolding when You go into the house.
Mothers dreadfully mortified at hav-
ing things left so, and Aunt Jane Of
fering to wash the dishes. Mr.. Hib-
bard couldn't get any Shawn water
either, and is going to preach this
afternoon with his beard grown
awful. Amt yop ashamed 'er your
20, Sam ri gaspcd, "Fve lost some
thing. I've lost my ring, aud IL you
find it, I'll give you anything I've
got--anything I've got in the world
Lost tho gold ring grandma gave
your o, my y said Sam, "and you
will give me dollar and your new
pocket-book if I find it?"
fYes, yes, anything" said.
"Nell, what If I don't find il; I've
got to be paid for hunting"
| succeeded in satisfying him or
this point, and left him searching with
great zeal, while I crent forlornty in
| to the house to do up my work. Al
honr passed away, and Sam appeared
without the ring.
'fFhat's no place to look for any,
thing" lie remarked. "The gro,int
Is so soft; t'would sink right into il
u u dropped.
/ felt the wisdom Of his remarks
and could not help bursting into tears
The ring was gol,e forever, | should
never find it again, and what would
Tom say to see my finger hare to
night2 There waa no way that
could make him acquainted with til,
loss before hand /; had no idea wher,
he could DO found. and 1t was yer,
unlikely l should lind chance I,
speak to him at the social. Cousin
Mary Ann, who was visiting at OH
house, stuck to my side continual,
when she wasn't at meeting, and ther
was no getting rid Of Sam, either a
! home or abroad. Then Tom wa
such quick, sensitive fellow. II
n wouldn't wait for a word of explana
: tipn il he found that did not homo
| his gift, but be off before ] could Civ
: him an implofing glance. wonder
cd If 1t wouldn't be best not to go {
! the social at all !; l could have a head
ache and go to bed and cry TO IN
/ hearts content all the whole wretch
: cd evening. But no, | could not mis-
, seeing Tom then, he was going ava
Tomorrow, and might never SC
!. him again J: ] would go, and brave tn
0 worst with what courage | nigh
I But it seemed as If night would neve
a come, though goodness knows ] wa
4 obliged to be busy enough to max
: the moments fly fast and what a SUI
: per the company had set before thel
s on account of my grief! The toa
Y was burned to q cinder, the tea W,
a boiled until 1t was black as ink an
/, tasted like herbs. the custards wei
+ thin like whey, and Tom Hood
/. "endless meal Of brick" that OF
G schoolmastcr used to read about la
d Winter, was light compared to Il
It biscuits. The ministers faces we
e longer than they ever were in vestl
Is meeting, Aunt Jane coughed omi
o ously, Cousin Mary Ann giggle
II Sam indulged in uncomplimental
/ remarks, and mother looked just
1t the verge Of despair. But what did
1t care if oil the suppers in Christendo
IL were spoiled? l had lost Toms riI
ie and life was spoiled as well.
I "But at last the gaudy, babblil
If and remorsefnl day crept into I
if bosom of the sea, and at s o'clock
III undid my crimps and went with I
! rest over to Uncle Ethan's. | did
g expect to have q very good time the
at best, for few young people car
A. to 90 where there were SO many mi
le isters, and there would be nothing
p do but sit round the room and say
re the person next to you "What {
le lightful weather we are having y
id "What interesting meetings. If tt
~ hadn't been going there l should ha
Ill stayed away, but l fattered mys
III that he would have stayed away al
J." hut for the pleasure Of seeing j
k though Uncle Ethan's wife was
TX aunt.
". But when l entered the best roo
i'll where the company were assemble
no the first person saw was this 10,
Of mine, who looked into my Il
ny with a half confident. half anxious
he preston, then glanced eagerly to
so ard my hand, which / kept hidden
We purpose. Mr.. Hibbard sat down
be my side, and addressed me with
up air Of solcmA devotion. Tom co
re menced to be very sweet to L,
be Shelby, who was always hangi
hit about him with her little airs a
he graces.
les grew so yexed that l forgot
ms about the lost ring, and unconscio
Id ly held up my hand to my face, as
i'm ostentatious display Of its baren
me Tom grew pale to the lips, but
me more devoted to Lucy than ever,
ell hardly heard what Mr.. Hibbard !
saying, but sat very quietly and smi
Of upon that gentleman as l never
r." smiled before. Refreshments in
in shape Of cakes and homemade wi
W were handed round. Singing
h." proposed, and sang soprano to
&c Hibbard's dolefill shrill-toned tel
igh Tom refused to lend the music
, it voice--he was too deep in his iii
the ton with Lncy-and old Mrs. Jt
whispered in my ear, glancing mt
not iRgly in the direction Of the absor
tile couple, who hadn't moved from q
rs corner for the evening: "llo,
sse. this, Ruth? used to think twas
ger that Tom was going to marry no
lich seems that you have changed y