The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-08-01

she had regained, 10 all appearance, her
sprightliness and her beauty. But Lyd-
DIV Washburn was not the same. She
had passed through deep and terri
BILE experience. and 1t had left its marx
upon her soul.
The Fourth OF July came-a glorious.
cloudless day. The fife and drum ush.
cred in the morning, and they were ac-
companied by the peal Of bells and the
roar OF cannon. The mastering ground
was early crowded with the yeomanry
OF the county and their wives and
daughters, while blue coats and brass
buttons blossomed thickly in all direc-
tons. Before long the music started
up anew, and the procession began to
form, in which the militia were to
march from the church green to the
parade-ground. II was growing late,
but the Captain had not come. All
necks were craned to watch for him.
when, 10! riding down the road came
Captain Tart, his bright uniform be-
coming well his manly figure, while on
the pillion behind him. in dress Of
delicate green, with q silver feather
an heirloom in her family-drooping
over her lovely face. rode Lyddy WASH
burn. She sat straight and stately in
her seat, and murmur of admiration
ran through the waiting crowd.
The drum beat, and the men formed
in line, but just as they were about to
march, some one passed word along,
and with lifted caps they sent up three
tremendous cheers for the Captsin and
his fair sweetheart. He had, indeed,
restrained his appetite for liquor Of
late, and the match had come TO be
quite generally approved among The
towns people. The appearance Of
the young couple in such dash
ing and picturesque style at the
g trainin'" completed the favorable
impression, and even lothian Hunter
and score of other disappointed youths
were forced to admit that the Lord had
evidently made Captain Tart and Lyd-
DIV Washburn for each other. The ex-
citement caused by the advent Of the
handsome young pair was easily kept
up through the day, and that ''trainin'"
was famous in the annals of the town az
the most successful that had ever been
known there
Every Sunday nigh. thereafter Cap
tain Tart steady now, and becoming
most successful farmer-came to see
Lyddy Washburn, and they settled
down into the ordinary ways Of s'court-
in - and when the Fourth OF July came
around again. Lyddy rode again on the
pillion behind Captain Tart, and again
the enthusiasm at their appearance was
unbounded.
But still Lyddy would not marry him,
and another year went round, and still
she refused. He pressed her for her
reason.
"We've ben courtin' long enough,
Lyddy, DEAR" said the honest fellow,
pleadingly. "I've got good farm. and
can take care OF you. Let's be cried
right of, Lyddy."
But Lyddy was determined, and by
and-by she told him her reason. Then
he urged her no more, while the hateful
old woman on the hillside chuckled to
herself, and nursed herself more care
fully.
Every Fourth OF July for five years
IL ddy rode with Captain Tart at the
mastering. Then she grew ashamed,
and would 60 no more, and Captain
Tart himself, few years later, resigned
his sword and his cooked hat 70 another.
The village folk talked and talked for
a few years over the " long courtin'
Tart Taylor was a-makin' OF Lyddy
Washburn." Then il began 10 be &C
cepted as a settled fact, and ceased TO
excite remark.
Mrs. Washburn scolded and wept as
Lyddy went on in her thirties, and lit
tie gray began to creep into her hair,
and her complexion lost its bloom; but
though lone or two farmers boldly came
TO try their luck At wooing away from
Captain Tart the still beautiful woman,
she was pathetically true to her only
love, who was particularly steadfast 10
his devotion TO her.
As time crept on, her father and
mother passed away, and she went 70
live with a brother, whose m0therless
children she grew to love as her own;
but still Aunt Betty lived on, growing
tougher and heartier apparently with
each successive year. There was some
thing CHASTITY in the thought that they
were waiting for her to die.
Then Lyddy Washburn began 70 grow
old and wrinkled. She was over 80,
and her lovers rugged face. with its look
Of pathetic patience and unfaltering res
olution, lost its handsome contour, and
his hale figure began to bow with time
and hard work.
But still the old woman lived on, with
q defiant persistence which deepened
Lyddy Washburn s secret conviction that
she was q witch.
1t was one lovely spring day, 40 years
from the time when Lyddy Washburn
had pledged her word to Captain Tart
to marry him, that the news was borne
to the village from the hill farm that