The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-09-13


Presidential visit and a number OF
"events of the season" crowded into a
most unseemly short space OF time. ]
almost entirely lost sight of Jennie and
her familiar demon, while danced at
tendance upon candidates, interviewed
cabinet officers and entangled myself in
the mazes of toilet. description.
One evening after the paper was out
and comparatively at leisure, wan.
dcred down, by the river bank to think
over somewhat advantageous PROPOSE
ton had received from the Democratic
town committee of a village few miles
away to take charge of the Democratic
organ at that place. / did not wish to
go, because it would take me away from
Miss Jennie, but l knew it was first
rate opening, and / was not doing any
good by staying where was and wishing
for her, even though / saw her every
day.
sat down upon a grassy knoll at the
waters edge and occupied myself by
idly throwing pebbles into the swift cur
rent. The air was warm, and so was l..
A slight breeze came across the water,
ripping it into delicate wavelets, which
Tapped the bank at my feet. l could
hear the clear, futy notes of the black
birds on reedy, willowy island mid
way in the river. / barred my head, and
sat half smiling at the exquisite peace
and calmness which environed the view.
The sun poised itself just above the
submits of the distant bluffs, breaking
the deep violet clouds into great masses
of pink, golden, and ruddy banks. The
west seemed to blush at the goodnight
caresses of the day. 1 felt as serene and
happy as ran can be expected to feel
who is despes ately in love, and who has
at the same time an unpleasant sensation
of owing several "little bills" which he
is unable to settle. 4ft--.
A splashing of oars aroused me, and /
looked out on the smiling river. 0,
misery 0, horror There sat Jennie
and Tom Lee in a brightly-painted new
skiff, with outriggers and spoon-oars. l
saw at glance that the boat was more
expensive and more stylishly gotten up
than mine. And Lee was rowing too,
with slow and uncertain strokes, to be
sure, but still rowing. My supremacy
on the water was gone-my little kingdom
was fairly Invaded by the enemy. l
felt sick at heart; the song of the black
birds and the gorgeous sunset were no
longer needed. | stolidly settled in my
own mind that would accept the posi-
ton offered by the Democratic committee,
and then walked disconsolately down to
the spot where my boat-house stood, got
my oars and pushed out into the river.
Up or down? Why should go down.
All, or nearly all, that l cared for in
the world had taken the opposite direc-
ton, and my skiff was speedily turned
up river. / entertained wild thoughts
of running into the other boat under a
full head of-of-oars, smashing it, and
then rescuing Jennie from the wreck
wilder ones of rowing alongside of them,
and after accusing Tom Lee of my
murder, plunge into the current. OF
course | did neither l rowed along
with quick, nervous strokes, and soon
passed the other skif, receiving from her
an angelic smile, and from him a
triumphant one. ~
Above this town there are numerous
"sloughs," which are small channels
branching from and re-entering the
main river Many of these are lined
with large trees, whose foliage in summer
meets overhead, thus forming cool
arcades within the depths of which the
SUMS rays can scarcely penetrate. To
people not familiar with their windings
these over-arched channels with their
numerous branchings and sidepassages
form perfect labyrinth. Many an oars
man becomes bewildered in these sloughs
and fails to find his way out until morn.
ing breaks | had been caught in them
myself once, and padded around the
greater part of the night without finding
any outlet, and since that time had
made myself perfectly familiar with all
their devious and tortuous channels and
cal-de-sdcs. "a = ,,s...r --...v
| turned my skiff into one Of these
! openings and moderated my stroke, feel
ing most utterly miserable and forsaken
At last stopped rowing entirely, and
laid in the boat to think the matter all
over Scarcely had / done so when !
heard the sound of oars in one of the
sloughs parallel to the one in which !
was floating, and presently I heard
Jennie's voice.
40, what a lovely flower that is
Please get it for me, Mr.. Lee"
"Mr. Leep Why, 1 thought she
called him Tom. She always called me
Max. Could it be that -afge
"And now l guess it's about time fol-
me to start for home" There spoke
Jennie's prudence. 1t was getting far
into the dusk, and she was always care.
! full about appearances. Her
Then | heard Tom Lees voice, pom.
| pous and large like himself:
"Before we start, Miss Jennie, want
to speak to you about something that has
long been near my heart. We seem to
hitch pretty well, and think vel make
good team. want you for my wife"
"That | can never be, Mr.. Lee" said
Jennie, in low voice, but firm one.
40, Jennie, don't say so. Here, on
my knees, /"
as cool as if she were telling the current
rates on cucumbers:
{" If you do not stop Topping around
in that absurd manner, Mr.. Lee, you
will upset the boat. wish you would
stop this nonsense and take me home"
dipped my oars into the water and a
few vigorous strokes carried me out of
listening distance. ] could have danced
for JOY. Little versed as was in love
matters, | knew that calm, half-mocking
tone did notcome fromone who wasin love.
Lee had made himself ridiculous, and
had received very proper rebuke for
his folly. grew fairly arrogant as the
thought of my improved chances flashed