The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-05-30


that nobody knew but himself. Pm glad
she mitened him, though"
The word mitten reminded Hiram
that he had left both of his on his seat in
the school.room, and he stepped back
Just as the candles were being put out.
"Here's Jenny Bates's singing-book, :
he heard one boy say to another. "She
went off in such hurry tonight, thai
she forgot it,"
"Give it to me-" said Hiram, who re-
membered what had taken place thai
evening, and with eager look sought ou
the written message that had passed be
tween Jenny and his rival. They were
as follows;
"Tell your father he cheated me when
l bought old Jenny. / thought by hei
name she must be good for something
but she bites and kicks ten times worse
than he ever told me. / wish now had
spoken for the Jenny in the House in
stead of the one in the barn."
"And the answer:
81 guess the horse is as good as you de-
Rerve. AS for your choosing between the
two you mention, you won't be able to
do that this year. You have got the on
ly Jenny you can from my father"
A light broke in upon Hiram.
"Well of all the Internal fools ever
heard of, am the biggest A dog wo'd
have had more sense. 'Iis not too late
now, thank heaven"
The departing crowd started as Hiram
with the singing book in his hand rushed
down the stairs, two at time, and up
the road which led to Deacon Batess. If
he was not too late he was nearly 30, for
Jenny was just opening tie gate of the
front yard,
stop, Jenny !" he exclaimed, painting
for breath, "Hcre's your singing book
You left it on your seat, tried to over
take youW
"You needn't have taken the trouble,
Mr.. jenkins; guess no one would have
stolen it," said Jenny with great dig
nityand making show of going into the
house.
Don't Jenny! Wait-wait just a min
ute. know I've acted like fool but
let me explain"
Jenny hesitated moment, made an.
other start toward the door, then turned
and went back to the gate where the dis
comfted Hiram stood waiting.
"Well," =" she said, Iii as freezing a tone
as she could command.
"Now don't look and talk that way,
Jenny Bates. You know l never would
have acted as l have if l hadn't thought
had good reason for it. | thought you
were going to marry EIanthan Rogers.
"What business had you to think any
such thing2" asked Jenny, firing up.
A pretty explanation that is !" and again
she turned away from the gate.
Stop Let me tell you. Can't you
listen a minute2" said Hiram in desper-
alton. He felt there was no other way
than to make clean breast of it, and
plunged into his story at once. Word for
word he related the conversation he had
heard in the horse barn, and the effect it
had upon him. He was deeply in earn
est and in closing, humbly appealed for
forgiveness. He saw her tremble and
put her hands to her face. Poor girl, she |
pitied him His heart rose, and his
hand was upon the gate to open it, when
a peal of laughter, louder and louder
from being 30 long pent up, rang out up |
on the night air, almost starting Hiram
out of his boots and waking the deacon
and his wife from sound sleep in the
upper front bed room.
Up went the window and night cap
ped head was thrust out, with demand
as to what was the matter. Still Jennie
while Hiram stood silent by the
gate, angry and ashamed, not knowing
whether to advance or go back AT last
Jennie found her voice.
"Go home, Hiram Jackson" she said,
Say your prayers and go to sleep, and if
you want to say anything more to me,
;ome up tomorrow evening after sup
1er. But mind don't go to listening at
my horse barn on your way home" and
;he went off in another peal of laughter.
Hiram did not wait to say good night,
Whether he slept or said his prayers that
light is not recorded, but it is an estab-
ished fact that o'clock the next evening
ound him in Deacon Bates's parlOr, The
interview was long and probably inter-
sting one, and it's immediate result was
hat before Thanksgiving the deacon had
leither Jenny in the house nor in the
,arn.
That was a year ago, and Hiram has
ince done the town some service as
electman, and is likewise a dignited
lstice of the peace. But in the midst Of
Ii his dignities and honors, if he ever
happens 10 insist upon having his own
pay. the threat of telling about the horse
arm brings him to terms at once, 1t is
he one check of his independence-the
lagic charm by which Mrs. Hiram
enkins wields the household sCepter.