Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-02-02


sands, she has become the mistress
OF half a millionw
But to 60 back to the small boy,
swinging his feet and evidently anx.
iois to enter into Conversation.
II say" he blurts ont at last. "do
you like to look at photographer
Charley Thornton does. He and
Vic looked at this book"-taking one
from the table on which he sat--''for
more'n an hour the other day. l
like him. He gave me two white
mice and guinea pig; the cat ate
the white mice, and the guinea pig
is dead. But they wasn't looking at
it all the time either. They was
talking. Your pictures there, you
know. His used to be on the other
page. but he coaxed Vic to put 1t
somewhere elsc."
"Why?" l asked, ceasing to watch
for the coming of my divinity, and
turning toward the small boy with
awkward curiosity.
"Cause'' said Ned, evidently try
ing to repeat the very Words
"'cause he couldn't bear even his
picture to have always before it the
face of his rival, his successfal-yes,
that's it-his successful rival"
My heart gave bound. She did
love me, then. Poor Charley!
"And what reply did your sister
make to that:" l asked.
"Oh! she said 'nonsense;' but she
took the picture out Charley's you
know-and he kissed her hand, and
she carried it up to her room, and
it's there now, hanging between the
Huguenot Lovers and His Only
Friend. He's a poor bare-footed
boy a-lying fast asleep in the road,
and his only friends dog-one of
them big fellows, you know"
eyes, yes" l Interrupted, rather
impatiently; 81 know all about it."
Ned, evidently somewhat offended
was silent for about three minutes,
and then began again. "Oh, my,
didn't they talk that day! Vic sent
word to every body else that came
that she was out. Wasn't that a
whooper! l was snugglcd up on the
sofa over in that dark corner there,
and they didn't see me, and heard
every word they said. Wouldn't
Vic have boxed my ears if she had
caught me"
81 wonder what they talked of"
l said to myself,with a jealous qualm
to tell the truth, I'd been little
staggered by the picture episode;
and then, though it wasn't exactly
the right thing to do, although certain
ly excusable in case like this, where
a mans whole happiness was at
stake, made up my mind if posi-
BILE to find out.
"Ned, said I, 81 saw splendid
knife the other day-six blades"
"Six blades!" repeated Ned, his
eyes sparkling.
"Yes, or five blades and file, |
don't remember which. 1t was a
beauty, though, and if l wasn't afraid
you'd cut yourself with it, I'd buy it
and give it to you"
"Cu, myself!'' said the small boy
with infinite scorn; 81 amt a baby"
"Well," said /, "the knife shall he
yours" And then continued, in a
nonchuiant manner: "What is it
you said your sister and Mr.. Thorn
ton were talking about?"
81 didn't say nothing" said Ned.
"When'll you bring the knlte?"
"You shall have 1t Tomorrow"
l replied. did they say anything
about me, for instance?"
"Oh, lots!" said Ned, starting off
rapidly. "Charley said, 'Oh, Vic,
you'd never have given me up if l
hadn't told you how rich he was.-
What a fool I've been! l might
have known that that would have
been too much of a a'-let me see:-
Lead us not into temptation'-
temptation for such glrl as you
are. Good heavens!" and he grab
bed hold of his hair just as though
he was going to pull it all OUT" and
the small boy suited the action to the
word, and tugged at his own Gully
locks with such an assumption of
desperation as brought the tears into
his eyes. "'Good heavens!' he says,
'how selfish and cruel you are! Pm
sure / don't know how l can love
you. Are you going to marry him"
And VIC says 1 am"
"Oh! you are" thinks the atten-
tive listener.
"It would be awful silly she
says" the small boy rattlcs on, 'for
us to get married. might think |
was happy, for a little while, cause
l believe | love you as well rs 1could
love anybody, and then I'd be jolly
miserable, for must have seal skin
Jacket and a new switch, and hair
like mine costs like'-Oh, no; that's
what she said to ma this morning.
l mean she says: 'For I never could
be happy without a fine horse, and a
carriage, and all sorts Of nobby
things and ever so much more |
can't remember. 'And so be good
boy she SAYS, 'and console yourself
with May New ton. She likes you,
Pm sure, and she is a sweet little
thing, and would make you an ex-
celIent wife,"
81 don't believe she ever will
them" muttered between my teeth.
"Go on, Ned"
"'No, she wouldn't says Charley;
'and as for her liking me, you was
never more mistaken in your life; or
if she does like me, it is because l
am the friend of the man she loves
Bell'" Q'm Arthur Belly
"'yes, she loves him as dearly AS l
do you, and has loved him for years.
1t was for his sake she refused hand
some Phil Akers, to say nothing of
that rich old bachelor, Quimby, that
all the other girls are pulling caps
for Poor little wretch! I know how
to pity her, You'll both recover,
says VIC, 'and, ten chances to one
fall in love with each other. There's
nothing like catching ball on the