American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-05-31
sARAH's YOUNG MEN.

an oiake was ne1ther very young
nor very beautiful, but her father own
ed the best and the biggest farm in
Horley, and being an only child she was
accounted an eligible match in thrift,
circles.
Dick Sanders and Ted Brnnt were ri.
val suitors for her hand. She had but
TO say the word which of them she
would have; but it was just that that
made he- hesitate-there was so little
choice between them.
Such delays are always dangerous
While Sarah wavered, uncertain which
to hold and which to let go, both at
once her eaptives slipre the leash.
They might have pleaded that thew
had done no worse than others. For,
when Jenny Aliens father came with
bis beautiful daughter to dwell in Hor-
ley, there was general fiocking of the
SWANS about the shrine of the new idol,
and Ted and Dick only followed the
rest.
But Sarah Blake was not the woman
to view lovers detection lightly. Nor
did it weaken her resentment to divide
it between two. She had quite enough
for both; and it being uncertain which
OF them she would have chosen, in
melting out her anger she gave each the
disadvantage of the doubt.
Jenny Allen was civil and polite to
all without showing preference to any,
Dick Sanders and Ted Brant were fore
most among her admirers. Indeed, the
others stood good deal in awe of them
and hung back, for they were pair of
churlish, brawny chaps, little inclined
to brook competition and whose ill-will
few cared to court. Between themselves
the question of which should yield was
fast reaching point where its SETTLE
ment by ''wager of battle" seemed inev-
liable, when things took turn which
put new face on affairs.
Win Harvey came from town to spend
his summer vacation at an atint's in
Horiey- One day, while sauntering,
rod in hand, along the charming little
river that wound through the valley,
VIII unexpectedly came on something
that drove fishing completely out of his
head. On a messy bank, shaded by
overhanging boughs, sat q young girl
deep In the pages of book. Her pro-
hie, which was towards him, presented
q contour SO perfect that it would have
defed the sculptor's art to reproduceit.
The shower of glossy ringlets that fell
upon the matchless neck and shoulders
stole a new tinge from every shifting
glimmer of light sifted through the un-
dulating leaves. Her cheek would pale
and flush and her eyes flash and melt by
turns with the varied emotions called ND
by what she read.
Will Harvey would have gladly re-
manned silent spectator of a sight SO
lovely, but he felt he had no right to do
30. Advancing in q manner to attract
the girls attention, he raised his hat
and asked some commonplace questions
about certain localities In the neighbor-
hood. These answered, in a voice SO
rich and musical that every tone made
his heart futter, he found more things
to ask about, till by degrees a converse
lion sprung up which lasted till the |
young lady, suddenly remembering how
long it had continued, with blush |
caught up her gypsy hat, babe him a |
pleasant good-day, and tripped away
lightly.
Thus began the acquaintance of Will
Harvey and Jenny Allen. But it was
not likely to end there. For if VIII
Hsrvey's first stolen glimpse of Jenny
settled her title, in his eyes, to be called
he loveliest creature in the world, it is
quite as certain that her first impress
ions Of the handsome stranger were
,a,dly less exalted.
A formal Introduction followed, and
IN little time Will and Jenny were SO
together that the rural Cos
sips began to talk of their engagement
Is thing quite settled.
This was NORWOOD to Dick Sanders
md Ted Brant. They began to look
Iskance at Will Harvey, and were only
estrained from picking an open quarrel
With him by rejecting that he was a
rim-built, wiry fellow who mightn't be
o easily handled, to say nothing of the
lucky look there was in his keen, dark
yes.
One day Dick, at q turn of the lane