The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-07-19

in the most mortifying manner by
man he held in thorough contempt III
felt that even with what he knew Of Jen
ny's faults, if he could gam her hand h
would carry her off in spite of his riva
or the deacon either.
\ week passed by and Jenny Wa
never out of Hiram's thought. One da.
he went to the village, and while there
standing in front of the post office, FL
nathan Rogers drove by with the dea
cons mare.
Il ispose now he's got Jenny, he think
he's got right TO the whole property,
mu;tered Hiram. 81 with to gracious
the old mare would put her feet through
the dashboard
That night the singing school met Al
the Academy. Hiram came la:e. He
used TO sit with the tenors just behint
Jenny Bates. Now he chose 4 differen
seat, and tried hard to sing bass. III,
could not, however, help seeing Elnathar
Rogers pass peppermint lozenges tc
Jenny, and also write something on Tho
blank leaf of her singing book. whicl
she read and answered.
"Of course he'll go home with her 10
night" thought Hiram. "Itll be the
first time I've missed it for a year. Hes
welcome, though"
The doxology closed the school at last
and there was grand buslling about
the door, and eager pushing among the
young men to make sure of their favor
ties. Hiram was trying to force his way
through the crowd when he found him
self at the elbow of emmy Bates, and al
the same moment the hateful voice OF
Elnathan Rogers was heard in the words
"Shall see you home tonight, Miss
Bates?n
"No, sir" was the prompt reply, Il
shall walk home alone"
Hiram was totally unprepared for this.
"Perhaps its one Of her fits" he said
to himself. The deacon said she had
EN-, that nobody knew but himself. I'm
glad she mittened 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, that
she forgot it"
Give it to me- said Hiram, who re-
membered what had taken place that
evening, AMI with eager look sought out
the written message that had passed
between Jenny and his rival. They we're
rs follows:
"Tell your father that he cheated me
when bought old Jenny. ! thought
by her name that 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 instead of the one in the barn. "
And the answer:
81 guess the horse is as good rs you
deserve. As for your choosing between
the two you mention, you won't be able
to do that this YER. You have got the
only Jenny you can from my father
A light broke in upon Hiram.
"Well, Of all the internal fools | ever
heard of, I am the biggest! A dog would
have had more sense 'ris not too late
now, thank heaven"
The departing crowd started rs Hiram
with his singing book in his hand rushed
down the stairs, two at 4 time, and up
the road which led to Deacon Bates's. II
he was not TO late he WAS nearly so, for
Jenny was just opening the gate Of The
front yard.
stop, Jenny" he exclaimed, painting
for breath, Heres your singing book
you left On your seat. / tried TO over
take yOu~
"You needn't have taken the trouble,
Mr. jenkins 1 guess no one would have
stolen it." said Jenny, with a great dig
nifty, and making show Of going into
the house.
Don't, Jenny Wait--wait just 4
minute. ! know I've acted like 4 fool
but let rae explain"
Jenny hesitated a moment, made
another start toward the door, then
turned and went back TO the gate where
the discomtitted Hiram stood waiting.
"Well," she said, in as freezing tone
as she could command.
"Now don't look and talk that way
Jenny Bates. You know / never would
have acted rs have if hadn't thought
you were going 10 marry Elnathan Rog
ers.n
What business had You to think
any such things" asked Jenny, firing
up "a pretty explanation that isl!
and again she turned away from the
gate.
"Stop!" Let me tell you. Can't you
listen II minutes" said Hiram in des-
peration, 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 conver-
sation lie had heard 10 the horse barn,
and the effect it had upon him. He
was deeply in earnest. 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, aud his hand was upon
the gate to open it, when a peal oi
laughter, louder and louder from be
ing SO long pent up, rang out upon
the night air, almost startling Hiram
out of bis boots, and waking the Dea-
con and his wife from a sound sleep in
the upper front bed room
Up went the window and a night
capped head was thrust out with de-
mand as to what was the matter. Still
Jenny laughed, while Hiram stood
silent by the gate. angry and ashamed
not knowing whether to advance ol
go back. at last Jenny found bel
voice.
$50 home, Hiram Jenkins" she
said, "Say your prayers and go te
sleep, and If you want to say anything