The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-11-05
AN ARDENT LOVER.
BY KATE TRUE.

His name was Jacob, It had been his
fathers before him, and his fathers
fathers. The Storms were hard-work-
ing, money getting race. Jacob Storm,
the father of our hero, constantly said
that she couldn't see why under the
shining sun man needed an education;
t any rate, more'n 'nough to reckon his
crops and cattle" Jacob, the younger,
had once expressed desire to attend
school out of town; but Storm, senior,
killed his ambition in that respect with O
few words.
The Inhabitants of Putneyville were
not all conservatives of the Storm order.
Sons of rich farmers were in college,
daughters of Woodworking fathers and
mothers were away at school, and Put
neville felt their influence when they
came home for vacation. One of the
gayest, brightest, protest girls in town
was Sallie Rivers. Her father had o
poorer farm and fewer bonds than his
neighbor Jacob Storm, but the Rivers
family worshipped another idol. From
the mother down every one valued O
good education. The father had been
denied it, as he was the eldest of large
family, and compelled to aid in support
natural ability, and extravagantly fond
of reading.
The boys of the family were compelled
to work their way through college, and
Sallie. the jovial, was determined to fol-
low their example.
No wonder Jacob Storm, junior, loved
3ailie. He had lived near her for years,
had carried her dinner pail back and
forth for her, had purposely misspelled
words to let her pass above him, and in
all her maddest pranks, he had rejoiced
while others blamed. When one of the
neighbors gave a party, the verbal invi-
tation was generally, "Sallie, and the
rest of the boys"
Sallie liked it; she was full of bound
ing fun; she hated silly airs; and as her
brothers were, with one exception, older
than herself, it was quite proper that
she should do as they did. Jacob Storm
had once called her "Will- ,the-wisp, %
and the name fitted her SO well that the
boys took it up. The widest colt on the
farm would obey Sallie; she feared moth
ing, went and came as she pleased, and
did more work in one morning than her
mother and Huldah, the maid, could pos
sibly do together.
Naturally, this warm hearted, active,
cheerful girl, was the light of her faith
er's eyes. He could not send her away
from him, like the boys, not even for the
coveted education. For three years in
her teens she bore the restraint as meek
ly as possible; but the fourth year could
not be borne. How much the girl had
suffered in secret, no one knew.
Father" she said one day, as she
sprang from her saddle, "my mind is
10 r Oh -
earn money enough to attend school"
"But mother can't spare you, my
daughter"
Mother is willing" said Sallie; "she
always wanted to study, herself"
"Well, we seem to need you here,
somehow" said the old gentleman, strok.
ing tie colts neck to hide his feelings.
Eyes, father, and you shall have me.
I can work hard, and come home to spend
every vacation; and won't you be glad to
see me ?"
Mr.. Rivers led the colt away, and did
not answer.
"Why not ?" he said to himself; sswhy
shouldn't she have a fair chance? /
suppose might sell of the meadow to
old Storm, and send my only girl away
in good shape; but it will spoil the farm,
and T hate to-
He could not think of the house with
out her; he dreaded the long winter
evenings, and the warm summer days,
without his darling; and at last he sat
down in one corner of the barn ON an
old grindstone, which Sallie had often
turned for him. He sat there q long
time, trying to overcome his selfshness;
and at last, as he heard the girls ringing
voice calling him to supper, he rose up,
saying, '.She's my only girl; and she
shall have chance, come what will
The boys were delighted. They were
proud of Sallie, and quite sure she would
do herself and the family credit. To be
sure, Tom s pride was hurt when he heard
she was to work in the mill at Glenmere;
but the new house which Tom had urged
his father to build had cost more than
they expected, and every year some new
machinery must be purchased 1t was
twenty miles to Glenmere-twenty miles
from home love, care and comfort; but
Sallie did not falter. To be sure, it was
q trial to leave them all, hard thing to
select from her little store of girls bo-
longings; and small room in a board
ing-house would never afford the delight
that her own large, sunny chamber did.
Sallie felt q thousand tears, but did not
shed one, although her mother and HUI
dab wept profusely as the carriage drove
away, with Sallie's father on the back
seat with her, and Jacob Storm in front
with Sallie's brother Dixie.
81 wish had her chance" said Jacob,
as the father and daughter talked in low
tones on the back seat
Great chance" said Dixie, ssto 90
down there and work among all sorts,
and never have any music evenings, or
any home, Or"
Dixie paused; his seelings were too
much for him, and yet he would not let
Jake Storm see tear in his eyes.
It's chance to make yourself some
Thing better than a drudge,-a chance to
see and know what is going on in the
great world. Reading is good, Dixie
but seeing is million times better.
Jacob read early and late, he thought !
ind studied; but after all, be knew that /
he discipline which Tom and Joe Rivers I
we're having would be great blessing to
him. His one dread was that Sallis
might consider him inferior to her.