The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-28

Si6lO"h WIN blaSsJ
Dreams unrealized-rest at LAST
Chicago Tribune,
A GENEROUS GENTLEMAN,
I sat spinning at my little wheel in the
sun, for the autumn day was cool, when !
heard some one whistlihg, and looking up,
there was young Squire Turner, with his
arms folded on the gate, looking over. When
he caught my eye he laughed and blushed
and arose and made him courtesy.
He was handsome gentleman the Squire,
and the hand from which he pulled the
gloye shimmered in the sun with pearls and
diamonds, and he was bUnny to look at,with
his hair like the spun gold in the October
sunlight.
When I courtesied he bowed, making his
curls dance over his shoulders, and said:
"I've spoiled one pretty picture that
could have looked at all day, but I've made
another as pretty, so I'll not grieve. May
come in?"
"And welcome, sir" said I. And | set a
chair for him, for he was grandfather's land
lord but for all that felt uncomfortable
for was not used to fine company
He talked away, paying no more compli.
ments than was used to, for grandmother
who brought ne up, always said, "Hand.
emma ;s ,yhat bood so,,oa Joas onJ boout,, I,
but skin deep"
Since I'm telling the story, will tell the
truth. had done wrong about one thing
neither of the old folks knew that ! Wort
Evan Locke's ring in my bosom, or that We
had taken VOW to each other beside the
hawthorne that grew in the church lane.
never meant to deceive, but granny was old
and little hard, and that love of mine was
such a sweet secret. Besides, money seem:
to outweigh all else when people have strug
gled all their lives through to turn penny
and they knew Evan was poor, struggling
young surgeon. l thought I'd wait awhil,
until could sweeten the news with the fac
that he'd begun to make his fortune.
Granny came In from the dairy five min.
utes after the Squire was gone,a and she heard
he had been there. didn't tell her of his
fine speeches; but there was a key-hole in
the door she came through, and guess she
heard them.
That night we had something else to thinl
CT; misfortures had come upon grandfather
but didn't foresee that, when the hal
years rent should become due, not penny
TO pay it with could be found.
All this time Evan Locke and I had beer
as fond as ever of each other, and he camt
as often as before to talk with grandpa OF
the wintry nights; and still every little Will,
our young landlord, Squire Turner, woulC
drop in and sit in his lazy way watching m,
knit or spin. Once or twice he was flushed
with wine and was over bold, for he tried t.
kiss me. But Squire or no, boxed his ear
for his pains,and no softer than could help
either.
l could not help his coming or help seeing
him when he came, and did not deserv,
that Evan should be angry with me bu
he was. Eth, so high and mighty, and spok,
as thodgh one like the Squire could mean
no good by coming to so poor place as thai
OF the schoolmaster's.
He made me angry and spoke up:
"For that matter the Squire would be
glad to have me promise to marry him. He
thinks more of me THAN you do just now"
"Maybe you like him better ?" said Evan
"I don't cay that" replied I /; "but bad
temper and jealousy scarcely make me ovel
fond of another. pray may never have
a husband who will ssold me-"
For he had been scoldihg me. There wa
no other name for it.
Well, Evan was wroth with me and
with him-not heart deep, though, though
and did not see him for more than {
week. was not troubled much, though.
knew he would come around again, anC
mayhap ask my pardonj for, before you ar,
wed, you can bring your lover 10 his sense
when you will.
So did not fret after Evans absence, no
quite snub Squire Turner, who liked m,
more than ever. But one night grandfdthe
came in from a lonely ride and shutting
the door stood between grandma and me
looking at me, and so strangely that we boil
grew frightened. At last he spoke;
%'ve been to the 'squires. For the frs
time had 10 tell him that could not pa,
his rent when due.'
opened my lips. Grandmamma's han,
covered them. Grandpa drew me to him.
"rhou'rt young, lass" he said, "and the,
are right who call thee pretty. Say couldn'
you like the Squire well enough 10 we
him 2"
"Eh," cried grandma. Sure you're nc
wande-ing?"
esquire Turner asked me for this lass {
ours tonight. OF all women in the worl
there is but one he loves as he should hi
wife, and that is our Agatha"
81 dreamed Of golden rings and a bunc
Of white roses on Christmas eve" cried graT
ny. ~ knew the lass would be lucky"
But put my head ON grandfather
shoulder and hid my face. The truth mu
out, knew.
"Wilt have him and be a rich lady I
said grandpa.
And when he had waited for an answer
burst out with "No" aud a sob together.
HSkels frirhtened . said grandmamml