Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-09-21

iWPcfNicus hllke 70 cOaAlnk anu
he seemed perfectly content to be foreve
at the foot OF his class. so long as littl,
Kate Williams stood at the head. Kat,
was just six years old when James Henry
was ten, and as she was good scholar
and the daughter of the village lawyer, ,sh,
was held up to the scholars as a pattern o
excellence. She was sensible and not easi
ly spoiled, and in those days evinced /:
strong preference for James Henry ovel
all others, not even excepting George Cliff
ford, which continued even after she wa.
In Latin and Algebra, and James was stun
bling through geography; and James fell
little short of idolstry for Kate.
But the time came when tops and doll.
bejsteads and rides on "A sled would no
comfort her; when she went TO the acade
my and was escorted home from lyceum,
and singing schools by George Clifford
for what girl of sixteen is regardless o.
beaux and moonlight?
As for James Henry he was the Cock
ney's idea Of a Yankee. Tall, lank. ligh
haired. shrewd eyed. simple and talk ative
when he stood leaning up against wood
pile whiting. YOU would exclaim. a live
kankee! Strange that this is the recog-
nized type, when in reality it is the excep
ton. The rule follows after youths o.
George tlNOru style.
Meanwhile, James Henry was not idle
He had fixed up the old churn so that il
worked like charm, the widow Arnold
said; the old clock had found voice and
licked regularly and loudly In the corner
and on clear afternoon, passers by could
hear mysterious noises in the attic where
James Henry was working at some ma
chinery of his own. The neighbors shook
their heads aud eisculated. Jest like his IA.
ther. shiftless. Never'll amount to nothin'
no more'n he did. Coin on twsnty-one
and layin' round for his mother TO wait on.
Kate had kindly feeling for her Old
school mate, aud was sorry 10 hear OF his
shiftlessness. ard she decided when she
had an opportunity, to talk with him in a
friendly way and endeavor 10 make him un-
derstaud that it would lee much better to
undertake some steady employment than
10 follow the bent OF his erratic fancy.
One day returning from the village she
passed Mrs. Arnold's house, and paused 10
note its appearance, which was not one
whit improved but as unkept aud dilapida-
ted a. is suitable for the abode OF genius
Kate gave "A little sniff of contempt at the
black walls and the fiying shingles, Just as
James Henry came 10 the door. lie no
sooner saw her than he called out. How
dye do. kate:'
Good morning, Mr.. Arnold replied
Kate.
lie appeared Disconnected for a moment,
and said deprecatingly
i hope hain't put you out nor nothin':'
Certainly not she answered freeZingly.
4 should feel powerful sorry i'll had i;
but wait Just 4 minute'-and he vanished
Into the house.
Kate was vcxed at his assurance, as she
was pleased To call IL, and walked on de-
terminins not to walt. but curiosity beeom-
Ing stronger than pride, after few steps
she paused just as James Henry came run
ming breathlessly toward her. holding some
thing In his hand.
There Kate he said. aud 4 blBsh over
spread his face. while his tall. lank form
twisted about awkwardly, / made It for
ye some little spell ago, but | amt had no
chance TO gin it To ye.
When he was embarrassed he talked the
Yernacular In a way TO make an riyInolo-
glst's hair stand on end with frenzy but
Kate did not notice il. her attention was
nAcu on the work bow dainty and d..i;a~.-
enough Tor a princess. On the corner was
a bunch OF grapes with leaves and tendrils,
so exquisitely natural ss 10 deceive one.
particularly as they were stained rich
purple and dark green. while the whole
was beautifully polished. Delicate carving
of net work and ilowers adorned its side
and the tiny compartments. No wonder
Hates eyes glstened with pleasure.
Why .James,is II possible that you made
this. IL is perfectly lovely
Girls say 'perfently lovely when look
ing at a sunset, eating an ice cream. or de-
scribng picnic, and Kate felt hardly sat
stied with the words, but James Henry
was delighted. Perfectly lovely. yes. and
50 was Kate, with the bright fush upon
her cheeks. and the pleasant sparkle in her
eyes.
i am real glad you like it, he said. 1
whitfield out your name on the side, there.
You haven't noticed ii, guess
lie could not account for the expression.
The mouth drew down iuto a scornful
curve. the forehead took on wrinkle aud
her eyes were ready TO overflow with vex-
alton. There was scorn. anger and sorrow.
What could ii mean:
Amt the letters pretty? | liked them
best of all. That c.
That {" she repeated scornfully,
Cate, Did you think that was the way
10 spell my name:'
on. is that all? he exclaimed. | was
afraid you didn't like the way | made EN-.
lie could not have said with Shakespeare
What's in name:' for TO him more OF
sweetness and beauty fingered around the
name Of Kate than any other but letter,
Kate was Kate, however spelled. In fact
he did not know yet wherein he had failed.
and he asked:
Which letter is wrong:
She looked at him doubtingly.
is IL possible YOU do not know! Ii Is
spelled with a X instead of C. Oh, James
she cried, and her lips trembled. to think
that YOU didn't know any better! Almost
twenty -one and not know how to spell.
should be ashamed to do as you do. How
can you be contented to stay at home for
your poor mother to support while you are
pounding nd hammering the livelong day
on what will never do you any good? If
you must pound aud hammer there is plen-
ty to do on this fu"r, a.d window and
shingles. BE a man James, and help your
mother. Look at her now, digging pota-
toes tor your dinner
James Henry had listened to this TRADE
with shame and sorrow. His face at first
so flushed was now deathly pale. He was
not angry, though had he been less humble
he would have resented such interference.
He answered the scornful beauty humby.
Il mean to do right, Kate. Sometime
mother shall be rich and never have to do
anything. What had better do1 go
through collegeT
Kate laughed at the tone.
Going through college isn't so easy,
James, but you can help your mother aud
fix the fences; and James, will you prom
ise me one thingT
Anything, Kate he answered.
'Pshaw!' she exclaimed. Il have always
noticed that people so ready to promise
seldom perform
Try me. Kate; what is itT
1T is this. Leave of inventing (very
scornfully) until
'What?' he broke in eagerly.
His ready compliance irritated her.
Until you have learn to spell Kate.
suppose that is enough to expect Of you
But must 60. Mother will wonder at my
ABSENCE and still wearing the scornfu
look, she turned and was walking away.
please. Kate, take the box, do; he sale
SO earnestly and gently that Kate took i
and said impulsively:
You have ths best disposition eveI
knew of. James. But them she added
sneeringly, You havn't any pride
No. he SAID. i suppose not
Then. with rare witchery of manner
= -. -. l. AatF