The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-05-21

But neither Almira nor her lovers
knew yet who would succeed in this ser
vice, nor whether indeed, some third
man might not step in and distance them
both. Henry had one powerful ally in
the well-known fact that his father had
"means," as Yankeedom phrases it, and
Mira had keen eye for the goods and
gauds of this present world. Good
hard common-sense lined that low square
forehead, and the firm chin, almost too
prominent for symmetry, told its story
of resolute, will and stern determine
ton. She. did not .underrate that big
farmhouse of Sol Pines, with its stretch
of level meadows lying to the south,
sheltered by great hills wooded to their
submits, and on their lower terrace bear
ing orchards full of pink and white
promise and golden performance. She
liked snug prospect for the future, a
garnished and we'll stored home; but
Henry was SO stupid! such an utter lout!
J--kind-hearted, dnll-witted, with no re-
source and no energy; while Sam was
intelligent, alert, quick-witted, and full
4 of courage-and SO handsome! In her
secret soul Mira admired Sam nightly,
but he was only one of seven children;
and bis widowed mothers sole possession
| lay in a wild mountain farm, partially
cleared az yet, and the other six were
girls. sa5az Is
If she married him the world lay be-
lore her, and only their four hands where.
with to open its shell; but then there
were great possibilities, and these are
fascinating. A future with Henry was
determinate and secure; there was only
peace and plenty, and Mira was ambi-
tious.
But Sam also was determined. Ma
ture had not given him those keen dark
eyes and that strong Development of sin
ew and muscle for nc purpose; the future
did not daunt him, and his mind was
resolved on 'Miry and congress, and this
was his own precious secret. However,
like many another man, his plans came
near to shipwreck for want of a chart;
yet what man ever lived who knew the
channels and the quicksanas Of q wo
mans mind?
Sam set himself to work to make his
rival ridiculous; he demonstrated poor
Henry's ignorance, and played on his
credulity; he ridiculed him to his face
and carefully beguiled him into all kinds
Of false positions; all of which reused
Miry's innate feminine perversity and
kindness to take the side of the weakest,
and she gave Henry SO much encourage
ment that even her parents were puz-
zled
II do DECLARE" said Father Calkins,
as he sat down by the kitchen fireplace
one chilly May night, and pulling off his
big boots, prepared to toast his feet at
the embers, "Almiry beats me, mother.
Pm blamed eff she amt a-sittin' to Hen
Pine now, 8 true IS we live! an faint
good two months back l could ha' swore
she was bound to hev Sam Peters.
Jeethunderl women-folks is wuss n the
weather; yon can't guess Oh 'em." ai
",We-e-eI," droned the tired and sleepy
wife, 81 dono as | keer. Henry's got
means; she won't never want for nothin'
ef she takes up with him. A bird in the
hands with y good deal, pa, and Almiry
is pooty poety keen, now | tell ye."
/ That's SO; that's SO" reioined the old
man. But Sam is dreadful likely he's
smarter n any steel trap; fortino" (Which
is vernacular, dear reader, for " for what
know " "he'll be jedge or suthin
lafore he dies, and Hen Pine won't never
be but an everlastin' fool to the day after
never .,Hi
! "Well, Almiry'll tune him, bet we
pa. He won't know his souls his own e
that gal marries him.
"Lordyl Jeroosh, hain't you hvet
long enough to know you carn't no way
break in a fool? They're jest like Par
son Powders donkey, that went all way
7 of a Sunday except the way to meetin'
I'd ruther take my chance with fellow
that had got suthin' inside O his heat
than one with nothin' hut what was in
4 side his pocket, a blamed sight"
I" Mebbe SO, mebbe so, Jehiel; but it
kinder borne on my mind that Miry viii
take Henery, nevertheless and whatso
lever. Amt she gone a-ridin over t.
EColebrook with him this blessed night
: jest for nothin' but becos Samwell asket
her for to go to the lecter oyer'n tn
i 'ville?n sats
"That amt nothin' she'll get SO all
fired sick O Hens stoopid GRIMM way
afore long, I'll bet ye red cent shell
take to Sam fin'iiy.'' 7.T
; 4.It,s dreadfn! unsarta;n, anyway
f sighed Mrs. Calkins, as she took up he
i talfow candle and went into the bedroom
-1quite too sleepy to discuss the matter
while "pa" turned the current of hi
) thoughts to the new litter Of pigs Al
mira and her ways being quite too mucl
. for his brain. s'N m
y. But it is certain that SO stupid die
I Henry Pine show himself this very even
i | ing, such an unspeakable bore and don
key, that Miry's hoart failed her, ant
! ishe was almost inclined to put sharl
3 and sudden end to his probation; besides
d Sam was on HIS dignity, and piqued he
& wa award fancy nightly by iscurt an.
' masterful manner coward her and Henr,
! both. She began to feel a certain respec
for him, consciousness that he was tn
8 strongest; and with one class of womer
7 this is long step toward surrender
much as the like to ruie there is create
8 fascination in discovering their ruler. K
Perhaps she might have been enraged
$ perhaps trembled, had she seen, hersel
unseen, an interview between her tw,
], lovers the next morning. they wer
n both planting corn in the long lot-a BIZ
]. lof meadow land at the extreme limit o
!, the farmland when their bags wer,
q empty, and the drills leveled over thei
/; Igolden sprinkling Of seed, Henry wa
I turning his face home ward, when San
Q stopped him.
!. Look here, Hen; hold on; I've some
. thing to say to ye q
9 " Hay?" responded Henry, with al