Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1880-09-23

QOOHs
But as Anson Payton knocked at
the door of the little one-story dwell
ling, he felt that he was very wearys
with hands and feet numbed from the
biting blast, and garments wet
through by the damp and penetrating
snow.
The opening of the door revealed a
cheerful little interior which would
do no discredit to the pencil of a
Dutch artist-a blaze of pine logs
on the hearth, candle burning IN
its nrass sconce, red-and-blue rag
carpet on the floor. round cherry
table set out for supper, and huge
gray cat purring costly on the hearth
stone.
A tall, white haired old man open
ed the door to him, and welcomed
him. after CHEEKY, unconventional
fashion.
Come in, stranger, come in! said
the old man. well, | declare, you
have got wet, hahn ye? Step right
up to the fire. Here's seat. | don't
seem to rekonise ye-not just by
sight-though I've lived forty-odd
years hereabout. You are
L am Mr. Payton, of the Mallen-
dale Works said our hero, with a
sigh of satisfaction, as he expanded
his chilled hands to the delicious
warmth of the blaze, and felt the
subtle influence Of the freight pene-
trating his whole frame.
DO telli' said the old man, who
had by this time swung a huge iron
tea-kettle to a crane over the fire.
I've got a granddaughter runs ma
machine there. And you're the new
foreman? Board at Squire Ameses,
don't ye? Well, your a good two
mile out of your way, sir. You'd
ought to took the fust right-hand
road, by John Millerbrook' stone
mill, and then the fust left-hand,
runnin' where the Widow Fitch is.
But you're kindly welcome to stay
here all night, stranger; and my lit
tie gal, she'll show you the way IN
morning. She Was wondering what
the new foreman was like, and now
she'll get a good, long look.ssffe syof.,
Just set down in the Big chair, strae
ger, and make yourself comfortable,
while | go down in the cellar after a
pot Of apple-sass. My little gal, she
comes home pretty tired of mig
and | like to save her all the steps
l can. She's working dretful hard
for d new cashmere gown for Thanks
giving; and when the taxes is paid
and the interest on the mortgage
and
At this stage of his remarks, the
voice of Mr.. Payton's host became
inaud,ble, by means of his slow de
scent down the cellar-sta irs, with the
brass candlestick still in his hand;
and the new foreman was alone with
the purring gray cat, and the red
shine of the flames, and the deep
shadows at every angel of the
room.
well, grandfather, did you think
[ was never coming?'
The do had opened suddenly, and
admitted gust of frozen air, cloud
of flying snow-fakes, and a girl all
muffed up in hoods and shawls.
L stopped at Mollie Deans for a
pattern, said she, and of course we
had to talk a little. Oh, grandfather
with & merry laugh, as sat down on
the floor to pull off her rubber shoes,
I've seen the new foreman, and he's
as handsome as picture, and as
cross as two sticks. Hateful fellow
Only think Of his refusing to change
my machine for me! But I'll be re-
venged on him. grandpa. Mollie and
I have concocted loyal plan; I'm 60
ing to bewitch him, and wind hin
around my finger, and make h1m fall
desperately in love with me; and
then | shall refuse him haughtily,
and. Why, who is that?
She sprang to her feet with a little
cry of terror, for while Mr.. Paysor
had sat bewildered in the yauge shad.
ows by the fireside, and she had rat
tied on, old Moses Kesley had finished
his errand in tho, cellar and:now came
slowly up the stairway, the candle
light shining in front Of him like ;
beacon.
| There she is now!' said he, my
little Kitty. Well, my gal, supper's
most ready, and here's good chance
for you to scrape acquaintance with
the new foreman. He's got lost il
the snow, and
But Mr.. Payson rose and laugh
lngly offered his hand to Kitty Kes-
! ley, who stood as if paralized in the
| middle Of the floor.
4 Pray forgive my backsliding, Mis-
i Kesley,' said he. I'm very sorry If
really was as cross as two sticks. A
/ the little children say, I won't do il
again And I'm quite ready for yol
! and your friend TO commence the be
witching process, dare say
shall find livery agreeable.
Kitty Kesley could not help laugh
ing in spite of herself.
Il We'll, I suppose it's just as well t,
L : ,Io