Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-04-12

! shook their heads and CALCULATED, y est
like his father, shiftless. Never'll
amount to nothin', no more'n he did,
Coin on 81, aud layin' around for his
mother TO wait on
Kate had kindly feeling for her
old schoolmate, and she was sorry to
hear of his shiftlessness, and she de-
cided when she had an opportunity to
make him understand that it would be
much better to undertake some steady
employment than to follow the bent
of his erratic fancy.
One day returning from the village
she passed Mrs. Arnold's house and
paused to note its appearance, which
was rot one whit improved, but as
unkempt and dilapidated as is suitable
for the abode Of genius. Kate gave
little sniff of contempt at the black
walls and flying shingles, Just as
James Henry came to the door. He
no sooner saw her than he called out !:
How dye, Kate
Good morning, Mr.. Arnold, replied
Kate.
He appeared disconnected for mo.
ment, deprecatingly:
4 hope | hain't put you out, nor
nothin'.'
Certainly not she answered freez-
ingly. .
i should feel powerful sorry if l
had; but wait just a minute'-and he
vanished into the house.
Kate was vexed at his assurance,
as she was pleased to call it, and
walked on determined not to wait,
but curiosity becoming stronger than
pride, after few steps she paused,
Just as James Henry came running
breathlessly toward her, holdin g
something in his hand.
There, Kate he said, and blush
overspread his face, while his tall,
lank form twisted about awkwardly,
Il made it for we some little spell ago,
but | amt had no chance to gin it to
ye.'
When he was embarrassed he talk
ed the vernacular in way to make
an etymologist's hair stand on end
with frenzy, but Kate did not notice
it; her attention was fixed on the
work box, dainty and delicate enough
for a Princess. On the cover was
bunch of grapes with leaves and ten
drills so exquisitely natural as to de-
ceive one, particularly as they were
stained rich purple and dark green,
while the whole was beautifully pol.
ished. Delicate carvings of net work
and flowers adorned its sides and the
tiny compartments. No wonder
Kate's eyes glistened with pleasure.
sWhy, James, is it possible you
made this? 1t is perfectly lovely
Girls say perfectly lovely when
looking at sunset, eating an ice
cream, or describing picnic, and
Kate felt hardly satisfied with the
words, but James Henry was delight
ed. Perfectly lovely, yes, and SO was
Kate, with the bright flush upon her
cheeks, and the pleasant sparkle in
her eyes.
4 am real glad you like it. he said.
4 whitfield out your name on the side,
there. You havn't noticed it, | guess.
He could not account for the ex.
preston. The mouth drew down into
a scornful curve, the forehead took on
a wrinkle and her eyes were ready to
overflow with vexation. There were
scorn, anger and sorrow. What
could it mean
Amt the letters pretty? | liked
them best of all That c.
THAT CT she replied soornfully.
&C ate Did you think that was the
way to spell my name !?
ooh, is that all? he exclaimed. Il
was afraid you didn't like the way |
made EN-
He could not have said with Shak-
speare, whats in name I for him
more of sweetness and beauty fingered
around the name of Kate than any
other-but a letter! Kate was Kate,
however spelled. In fact he did not
know yet wherein he bad failed, and
he asked;
(which letter is wrong?'
She looked at him doubtingly.
is it possible you do not know? 1t
is spelled with X instead Of a G.
Oh, James, she cried, and her lips
trembled, 'to think that You didn't
know any better! Almost 81 and
not know how to spell. | should be
ashamed to Go as you do. How can
you be oontented to stay at home for
your poor mother to support while
you are pounding and hammering the
livelong day on what will never do
you any good? IF you must pound
and hammer, there is plenty to do on
this fence, and window, and shingles.
Be a man, James, and help your
mother. Look at her now, digging
potatoes for your dinner
James Henry had listened to this til
rade with shame and sorrow. His
face, at first so flushed, was now
deathly pale. He was not angry, tho
had he been less humble he would
have resented such interference. He
answered the scornful beauty humbly.
Il mean to do right, Kate. Some
time mother shall be rich and never
have 10 do anything. What had ]
better do go through oollegeF
Kate laughed at the tone.
'Going through college isn't so
easy, James, but you can help your
mother and 6x the fences, and, James,
will you promise me one thing
Anything, Kate he answered.
sPshaw I she exclaimed, i have al
ways noticed that people SO ready to
promise seldom perform.
TRY me, Kate: what is it?
TT is this; Leave off inventing( very
scornfully) until
what 2 he broke in eagerly.
His ready compliance irritated her.
Until You learn to spell Kate. |
suppose that is enough to expect OF
you. But / must go. Mother will
wonder at my Absence, and still
wearing the scornful look, she turned
and was walking away.