Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-30
Rhoda's Mind.

1t was case OF neyer-dylng friendship
between John Sheldon and John Bur-
roughs, or long John and little John as
they were called Castor and Pollux,
Damon aud Pythias, and number Of
other names suggestive Of the twincherry
idea, fastened upon them after they
came from college together. But all
that's bright must fade, and for the fad
ing OF this particular brightness Miss
Rhoda Tracey was responsible. Her
crime, it is true, was somewhat mega.
tive, consisting chiefly in repulsing John
Sheldon's advances whertat he was so
meekly despairing and became so much
of q muff and spoon, and other
traduced articles known to John Bur-
rough's vocabulary, that the latter in
dividual passed from coincidence to re-
monstrance, from remonstrance 10
vituperation, and from vituperation, By
paiural and easy process. TO estrange-
mcnt did not last long. The sight Of
pensive John Sheldon. with his blonde
hair converted into mep by distracted
fingers, and his blue eyes astare strolling
alone to the wood, sent little John
nimbly after him and they might have
been seen shortly after, had any one
been there to see under q gnsrled eak.
the yellow mop reclining on an uninvit-
ing shoulder, not mingling their tears
prec isely, but exchanging sympathizing
glances whenever the blue eyes chanced
to meet.
Little John held long John in con.
tempt for his late exhibition Of weak
ness, but he kept the contempt to him.
self now, and if the others woeiul
recital brought wicked twinkle to his
bright eyes, said twinkle was trans
mitted TO the treetops, for the quarrel
had been too serious a matter to be
repeated with impunity. Henceforth
little John paid friendships dues with
tortured ears, and contented himself
with sneering and scoldlng solos.
The maiden in question was either an
obdurate hirt or the coolest Of Indifferent
fair snes. Her lover was doubtful
which, but little John Burroughs was
not. Such fimsy pretense OF. shyness
could deceive no one, he said, but
modest John Sheldon.
At first Miss Tracey had second
enemy in Johns mother, who missed
her sons amiable conversation at meals
and saw her choicest yiands 90 down
into hls taciturn jaws unhonored and
unsung. 1t was enough to yex any
saint to see such food buried without an
epitaph. and sanity Mrs, Sheldon hav-
ing wormed her sons secret out OF him,
laid the blame where i. belonged, and
was vexed with Rhoda. the criminal.
But the kind woman belonged to the
class Of e.timable mothers who make
GOOD mothers-in.law through love OF
their offspring. and finally enlisted in
her sons behalf, made neighborly adj
vanccs to the object of her interest,
and inveigled the damsel into her
parlor with all the cunning OF the
wickedest old spider that ever lived,
for, after all she observed, in burst OF
confidence to her teakettle, John might
as we'll marry if he wants to, and stay
At home instead of securing the country
with that Burroughs.
So behold, after graceful interval OF
time. Rhoda vas called upon to help
the widow get party" for the young
folks. There she stands beside the
white pine table, stemming dried cur
rants. The June zephyrs steal in to-
play with the truant ringlets OF glossy
red.gold hair. Two white Madonna
eyclids droop steadfastly, over her soft
brown eyes. Her expression is as calm
and unconscious as if John, who is
stringing his fiddle for the festive oc-
casion, were not regarding her with
amorous glances.
Mrs. Sheldon deep in culinary mys-
teries and "reminiscences Of her youth,
thinks the coolness and unconscious
ness pretense, and argues good luck
to Johns suit by some subtle round
about woman's logic, whose premises
are founded in motherly affection rather
than reason.
Upon this suggestive scene little John
looks in without formal entrance, start
ling good Mrs. Sheldon, who is just
starting on picnic with her dear de-
parted for the ediication of Rhoda.
The round poll, with its close cropped
black hair, and inquisitive eyes. is
thrust 80 suddenly in at the window that
the widow screams, John snaps a
fiddle string, and Rhcda frowns very
slightly.
There ensues an explanation and an
invitation. AS Mrs. Sheldon puts it, in
certain antiquated, rustic phrase, he
is to come, because if there's no tools
there will be no fun.
He does not laugh, as he is expected
to, or make q merry rejoinder, in keep"
ing with his character. He glooms ike
a thundercloud, aud he says, pointedly.
looking first at John Sheldon and then
at Rhods:
You shall hear from me- and is
of.
They have not the least expectation
that he will come. AS to what else he
may mean there is no discussion.
The cakes are baked and the sweet
,,oo,s notted. and all the 'certes OF