Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-02-12

TO the SMALLPOX; DuC tnen Sne could
think the story all over, and it was de-
lightful to know that what she had read
could never be taken from her. She
wondered why her mother could not
write letters like other people, and
whether she made such an ado and in
formed all the neighbors when she used
to write to him before they were mar
ried.
The village street was unusually qui-
ct this afternoon. and it was an over an
hour before the stiffness was broken by
square-faced young Dutchman, who
passed the gate, with spade over his
shoulder, the mold clinging to his heavy
boots, and joyous feeling in his heart
that expressed itself in a song that
sounded to Lydia like:
"Aloof baloonl
Gay dividay SNARE,
/ Biddy-biddy-boom!
Biddy-biddy-boomT
Instantly the front blind was thrown
open.
"Have those boys"
HE has passed by, mother" said Lyd-
iai, rousing herself from her reyerie.
I'm nearly through" continued Mrs
Gaylord, leaning forward, with her
glasses on her forehead, her penhOldeI
in her mouth, and ink on her fingers
"and you must take the letter right to
the store"
Cant Hal go?" coaxed Lydia. "There
are new people at the store, and hate
to 60"
HAL might lose the letter 70 forget it.
You must go. Comb your hair and put
on white apron, and I'll have it ready
by that time. l have been so fiustered
by the boys actions that l have only
written one page"
"I'll call for Mamie to go with me,
then," said Lydia, Frightening.
mo such thingp hastily interposed
her mother. "She lives out of your way,
and you might be late for the mall
"But it doesn't go out for an hour and
halt, urged Lydia.
81 don't care if it doesn't go out for
twenty hoursl Go and get ready, and
be sure to get two heads of lettcue for
tea."
With much hesitation, Lydia set off
with her letter; but at the corner she
found Twist leaning against the pump,
fcrying because the boys had run away
from him and he did not dare to go
home.
"You may go to the post-office with
me, Twistie," consoled Lydia, stopping
to tie his SHOE Whereupon Twist wiped
his eyes and nose on his green gingham
apron, and, taking her hand, trotted
happily along by her side.
They walked two blocks, past white
houses and green blinds; then a longer
distance across vacant lots, containing
nothing but pond full of kissing geese !;
and, after a searching glance up and
down, they crossed the railroad track
and entered the small store. A tall,
sallow youth sat on the counter, near
the box containing the Matchmaker; but,
at Lydia's timid entrance, he slipped to
floor and stood erect, staring at her. She
laid the letter on the counter, and beside
it silver quarter. The youth leisurely
examined the direction, remarking, as
he threw the letter into drawer, $50
you write to foreign parts" and, tossing
her copper rs change, was turning
away.
"Have you-have you any lettuce 2"
asked Lydia, huskily.
"Plenty of them," he answered, brisk
ly.
"Will you please let me have two
heads 2"
He regarded her curiously for an in
slant, and then opened drawer and
tore off two red three-cent stamps from
large sheet and tossed them to her
with: "Will that do?'
II said lettuce" distinctly answered
Lydia, indignation overcoming her shy
ness. IL know what postage stampf are"
The sallow face flushed dark red
and the veins in his forehead swelled,
while he laughed loudly Il thought"
he explained, catching his breath, "that
you asked for letters. Two heads came
the nearest to stamps of anything L know.
Thought l was cute one to guess
Hain't got no lettuce. Thought it was
too dear for folks to buy yet. Well, 1
declare"
But Lydia never learned the burden
of his declaration, for she caught Twists
hand and rushed out, with flashing eyes
and her whole body burning with
shame.
"Was he funning you, Liddy ?" painted
Twist, running to keep up with his sis
ter's excited pace.
Eyes, the horrid creaturep answered
Lydia, angrily. Gall them heads, in
deedi Just as if were baby. How
could he think-just as if 1 didn't know
what postage stamps arel He's the one
to be ashamed. He made the mistake,
Awful old fellowl I'll never go there
again, to be insulted."
''There comes Mamie" cried Twist.
''Tell her about it, and she'll be mad too.
Mamie was on her way to the post
Office. She had been to the bakers, and
now carried loaf of bread and little
tin pail of yeast. She flew toward Lyd-
ia, seemingly as delighted to meet her
as if they had not walked to school to-
gether in the morning, sat together and
played together through the day. and
parted at the gate only two hours ago.
Just think" cried Lydia, venting all |
her anger and shame to this friend, who
stood with her in everything.
Hateful. ignorant, rude old felloWp
calculated Mamie. in tones that poured |
oil over Lydia's wounded spirit. at
was all his fault, and I'd like to tell him
sol Will you go back with me?"
''1'll never go there again" said Lydia
"but we'll wait here for you. 1 sup
pose he'll think you've come for stamps,
too
Mamie laughed, and skipped across
the track and into the store.
"He's laughing yet" she said, running
back to them. "And only seel Here's
aletter and package from sister Mayp
Nannie's. eager fingers first opened the
package, and drew forth a bracelet of /
purple beads.
"How lovely" exclaimed Lydia, as
she examined the curiously-twisted knot
that formed the clasp 81 thought the
black one she made you was pretty but
this is handsomer."
Suppose you wear it while read my
letter" suggested Mamie, coughing
away laugh.
With thrill Of pleasure, Lydia slip
ped the bracelet over her hand, while