The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-04-05

though they were botn hiftu out ~ 10
old Jehiel Calkins, were also his daugh-
ter's loycrs---a state Of things neither
anomalous nor uncommon in old New
England, where many Jacob served
his time for Rachel, and grew up into a
patriarch with ilocks and herds Of his
own.
But neither Almira nor her lovers
knew vet who would succeed in this
service, 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 Yenkeedom
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 symme-
try, told its story Of resolute will and
stern determination. She did not un-
derrate that big farmhouse Of Sol
Pines, with its stretch Of level mead
ows lying far to the south, sheltered by
great hills wooded 10 their SUBMITS, and
on their lower terrace bearing orchards
full of pink and white promise and
golden performance. She liked snug
prospect for the future, garnished and
well stored home; but then Henry was
so stupid! such an utter lout.-kind-
hearted, dull-witted, with no re-
source and no energy; while Sam was
intelligent, alert, quick-witted, and full
OF courage so handsome. In her
secret soul Mira admired Sam nightly,
but he was only one OF seven children,
and his widowed mothers sole posses
sion lay in wild mountain farm, par
italy cleared as yet, and the other six
were girls.
If She married him the world lay be-
fore her, and only their four hands
wherewith 20 open the sturdy 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 ambitious.
But Sam also was determined. Ma
ture had not given him those keen dark
eyes and that strong development Of
sinew and muscle for no purpose; the
future did not daunt him, and his mind
was resolved on Mira and Congress,
and this was his own precious secret.
However, like many another man, his
plans came near to shipwreck for want
OF chart; vet what man ever lived who
knew the channels and the quicksands
of woman's mindP
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
Mira's innate feminine perversity and
kindness to take the side of the weak
est, and she gave Henry so much en-
enlargement that even her parents were
puzzled.
Perhaps she might have been enrag-
ed, perhaps trembled, had she seen, her
self unseen, an interview between her
two lovers one morning. They were
both planting corn in the long lot--a bit
of meadow land at the extreme limit Of
the farmland when their bags were
empty, and the drills leyeled over their
golden sprinkling of seed, Henry was
turning his face homcward, when Sam
stopped him.
"Look here, Hen; hold on; I've got
somethin' to say to ye."
"Hay?" responded Henry, with an
air Of idiotic astonisfment, but turning
back on his tracks.
"Don't yawp SO. jest want ter say
that know what you're snakin' around
this here humstead for; an you can't
come it, now tell ye."
"What be yew a-talkin' about?r put
in the naturally astounded Henry.
"Why, I'm talkin' about Miry Calk-
ins. Maybe you think you're goin' to
git that gal but | tell We you amt, not
by long shot"
"Well whose troop do you ride in ?"
inquired the other, with fine sarcasm.
Not your'n, anyhow, Hen Pine
and ! amt jokin', you kin swear. I'm
goin' to marry A.miry, ef any living
man docs; so you'd Jest as good haw
out O. the road afore you're kicked
OUT
Mighty Moses how yew talk I"
gasped the alarmed youth.
"'Tain't all talk. sir. Be you goin'
TO quit without haulin', or not?"
4 do know" answered Henry, sui
lenly, his native obstinacy asserting it.
self in place Of courage do knows
I'm going to be walked over this fash
ion. / guess I'm as good as you be, and
I've got q sight more chink.''
Darn your dollars! who wants 'emp
Miry amt that sort she'd ruther marry
q man than pocket-book. y
"She amt nobody's fool. nov tell
We, Sam Peters. See if she wouldn't q
heap ruther settle down on our farm
than go a tin-peddlin' long o. you. Hol
| guess shan't haw out o. your road;
not much. No, siri-
Look a-here," calculated Sam,
savage. You'd better hear
70 me, Hen Pine. IF ketch you hang
in raound Almiry any more, III make