Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-07-12

A NOBLE GENTLEMAN.
The story of an Old Lady.

Ine StOry O1 all Ulu Lduls
| sat spinning at my little wheel il
the sun. for the Autumn day was cold,
when heard some one whistling, and,
looking up, there was young Squire
Turner, with his arms folded on the
gate, looking over. When he caught
my eye he laughed and blushed; and |
rose and made him Il courtesy.
He was Il handsome gentleman, the
Squire, and the hand from which he
pulled the glove shimmered III the
sun with pearls and diamonds; and he
was bonny to look ut, with his hair
like spun gold Ill the October sunlight.
When Icourtesied he bowed, making
his curls dance over his shoulders, and,
said he, 1--WE spoiled one pretty picture
that / could have looked ut all day, but
I've made another as pretty, 50 I'll not
grieve. May come in?'
"And welcome sir, said |; and | sat
Il chair for him, for he was grandtath-
ers landlord: but for all that felt un-
comfortable, for | was not used to fine
company.
He talked away, paying me more
compliments than | was used to, for
grandmother who brought me up,
always said, Handsome is rs hand
some does" and Beauty is but skin
deep
Since I'm telling the story I'll tell the
truth. ! had done wrong about one
thing. Neither OF the old folks knew
that / wore Evan locke's ring i'll my
bosom, or that we'd takena vow to each
other underIthe hawthorn that grew in
the church lane | never meant to de
caive, Tut grannle was old and a little
hard of hearing, and that love of mine
was such sweet secret. Besides, money
seems to outweigh all else when people
have struggled all their lives through to
turn Il penny, and they knew Evan was
Il poor, struggling surgeon. l thought
Id waita while until | could sweeten the
news with the fact that he'd begun to
make his fortune.
Grannie came in from the dairy five
minutes after the Squire was gone, and
heard he had been there. | didn't tell
her of the fine speeches, but there was 4
keyhole to the door she came through,
and | have guess she heard them.
That night we had something else to
think of. Misfortunes had come upon
grandfather; but | didn't foresee that
when the half years rent should come
due not II penny to pay 1t with would be
found.
All this time Evan Locke and had
been as fond as ever of each other and
lie came us often as before to talk with
grandpa, on the winter nights, and still
every little while our young landlord,
SQUIRE Turner, would drop in and sit in
his lazy way watching me knit or spin.
Once or twice lie was flushed with wine,
and over bold, for he tried to kiss me.
But, Squire or no, boxed his ears for
his pains, and no softer than | could
help either.
| could not helu his coming, nor help
seeing him when he came, and did not
desire that Evan should be angry with
ME. But he was. Eh, SO high and
mighty and spoke as though one like
the Squire could mean no good by COM
ing to SO poor a place rs the school
masters.
He made me angry and spoke up.
\ For that matter the Squire would
he glad to have me promise 70 marry
him" said |. He thinks more of me
than you do just now.
" Maybe you like him better" said
Evan.
II don't say that" replied |. " But
bad temper and jealousy scarce make
me.over fond of another. pray Imay
never have husband who will seold
me.
For lie had been scolding me. There
was no other name for il.
Well, Evan was wroth with me and !
with him-not heart deep, though, !
thought-and ! did not see him for
more than 4 week. ! was troubled
much. though. knew he would come
round again, and mayhap ask my par
don. For before you are we'd ycu can
bring your loverto issenses when YOU
will
81 | did not fret after Evans absence,
nor quite snub Squire Turner. who
liked me more than over. But one
night grandfather came il from 4 lone
II ride, and shutting the door. stood be-
tween grandmamma and me, looking at
me. and 50 strangely tnat We both grew
frightened At last he spoke