Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-07-08
MISC CELLANE Gus.
AN UNCUT DIAMOND.

Sc E Vas not one of those shiny, good look
cSs ing chaps that see every day hanging
about the depot, dressed in a long overcoat
aud plug hat, and with seemingly no other
business than to swing q dandy cane and
stare at the ladies. He don't wear his hair
parted in the middle. To tell the strict truth,
| don't believe it wns parted az all, for it
stood out all over his head in every direction,
and reminded one strongly of bush on fire.
That ke was from the country one could SEQ
with half an eye; the evidences of rural life
were so plainly marked. His great round,
good natured face had been kissed by the
sun until it was the hue of poeny. and was
studded with frcekles us thick as spots on
the hack of speckled hen. lie wore nuns
Der fourteen, patent, no, mean COW
hides, with his pants tucked in to show their
yellow tops. His coat fitted him about like
a school boys jacket, aud was of variety
of colors now, owing to long usage and ex-
posure. Whisps of straw protrutcd from
every pocket and hung from every catchable
place about him. In one hand he carried
his broad brimmcd straw hat, and in the
other an old carpet bag, which had lost the
lock, being fastened together with a piece of
wool twine, and although great pains had
evidently been taken with this, it failed to
conceal stray gImpscs of neither garments
aud something that looked immensely like
red flannel night. cap.
Seating himself by the side of an clegant>
ly dressed lady, and putting the aforesaid
bag between his feet for safe keeping, drew
out his red bandauna and moppcd off his
forehead.
The lady drew away her silk skirts impa>
tiently. and with trown. paid plsinly:
you're out Of your place, sir"
But he didn't seem to notice it in the
least, for very soon he turned to her and re-
marked good naturedIy:
AN all.fred hot day, marm. Going
fur?"
The lady dcicned no reply.
Supposing himself unheard, he repeated,
in louder tone:
"An all fred hot dayI say marin; going
fur2"
No reply, but look of supreme iDdigna-
tim. 1.tr -s-
"WhsH' he exclaimed -evidently for the
benefit of the whole crowd-''the poor crit
ter's deaf"
Bending forward, he screamed:
I'm sorry you're deaf, marin ! How long
have you been so2 IF you warn't born SO.
maybe tits only ear wax hardened in your
ears. know what'll cure that, sure az guns!
It cured my uncle Ezra. I'll give you the
recipe. marm, an welcome; perhaps you'd
better write it down. Take little soap
@ater, warm"
''Sir," said the lady, rising, her eyes bla-
ziug with wrath; lido you intend to insult
me7 shall complain of you to the polioel"
and she swept haughtiIy out of the depot.
"Waal Eever!" he exclaimed. Il am
beati What struck her? I'm sure was jest
speakin' for good. was only agoin' to say:
Take a leetle soap and water, warm, aud syr-
ingc it into the three times day. It's
sure cure, an I'll bet my best heifer on it,
if she'd only heerd TO feller, it would have
done the business for her. But some folks
never like to hear their unfortuuities spoke
of, and s'pose hadn't orter took any no.
tice of it," and he relspsed into silence.
Presently the western train came due, and
tired looking woman came in with two
children hanging to her skirts and baby in
her arms, besides band-box and sstcheL
It was the only vacant seat. She sank into
it with weary sigh, and tried to hush the
fretfui babe and keep watch of the other
restless futtering budgets, who wore also
tired and fretiul. aud kept teasing for this
and that until tho poor mother looked ready
to sink.
Pretty tired. msrm?" remarked Jona.
than "Going fur?"
ITO Boston, sir" replied the lady, cOurte-
ously.
"Got to wait loDg?"
'Until three" (glancing at me) ooh
dearies, do be quiet; and don't tease mother
any more"
Look here, you young shavers. and see
what I've got in my pocket" and he drew
out a handful of peppermint drops. In few
minutes they were both upon his knees, eat
ing their candy and listening eagerly while
he told them wonderful stories about the
sheep and calves at home.
But the baby wouldn't go to sleep. He was
quite heavy and wanted to be tossed the