Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-05-12

70 DIS salisIacIIOns ana Hnuine MS sec
ond best pants already doing becoming
duty, be tenderly lifted a coat from its
receptacle in the drawer and gave il q
gentle shaking to remove any chance
wrinkle. II was blue continental mill
iiary, bereft of the epaulettes, but re-
tanning the prestine fullness OF buttons,
somewhat furnished with age, and had
been the pFopsssy oiAhs aforesaid own
er orthe mirror, coming 10 Pompey by
virtue Of an appeal he made to his ''last
mistis' for memorial Of "old mars :"
heroic career.
Downing this relic OF hard fought bat,
ties, il was only the work of moment
more to put the finishing touch to his
elaborate toilet, in the careful setting
upon his rather diversified Uranium tall
crowned white beaver---another relic
Of somewhat tight fit. With glance
at the wood-cul and peep in the mir
ror, by way Of comparison, the result
seemed pleasing, and taking up an UNI
brella, as further establishment, he
started on his errand, bravely aroused
to the spirit of the sentiment the viii
lage wags bad brought 10 his notice, that
"faint heart never won far lady"
To save time. which anxiety made
precious, he took "short cut across
the back way TO the cottage. He meant
10 have delivered the nUte TO Lucy FIRST,
for precision in the performance Of duty
was a chief characteristic OF bis con-
duct, but seeing Rachel 10 the garden
as be emerged from the pasture lot, he
concluded without any hesitation to
avail himself Of this unexpected chance,
Tor like angels visits, il was likely
he would have TO wait some time be-
fore such another opportunity present
ed itself; and being fearful Of trusting
his hopes 10 his efforts as a sirategisi
which had failed him 80 often, be
opened the gate and marched boldly up
the walk TO where Rachel was picking
peas, almost bad ia the luxunsnt vines.
Bertha. who was holding little bas.
ket 10 be filed, was The fret 10 espy
him. and her exclamation, as she let
her basket fall and ran 10 meet him,
"Untle Pomey ,umin, nanny" brought
The visitor TO the mothers notice, who
surprised to see him at all. and more so
in his best trim on a week day, asked
good humorediy, in response to his pro-
found obeisanee. III he was on his way
to get married :"
Panic-strieken, q moment later, that
she had broken the ice Of his perplexiiy
in broaching the long forbidden subject
IN the very place il was easy Tor him TO
make a launch, she resumed the pea
gathering, bringing severity ofexpres-
sion to her face meant as a check 10 the
movement he esssyed 10 a nearer ap.
proach TO her. Fully awake TO his van.
ishing opportunity, he yentured, though
cautiously, to take step or two for
ward, and in has desperation bIurted
out, THAT he was, If she had got in the
notion"
II was a stout heart Notwithstanding
the contradiction evinced in TIE visible
tremor that shook Pompey's ruiiles, that
wilhstood the battery that was brought
into action from the swapping Of femi-
nine eyes in answer to this assault, and
for tune il SEEMED imminent that he
would be put to rout by the fusilsde
that numerically poured upon his dc.
termined stand. but risking The ERE Of
an appealing look, il had hardly reach
ed its point of attack before the burst
ing Of a grenade in the words, "Pompey
Jackson !" uttered as he had never
heard them uttered before, terrible as
had been their meaning, almost demol-
ished his breastwork Of hope, and per.
haps would have left his heart bleeding
upon the crushed altar Of loyalty this
time but for the friendly action of the
fact that had come TO his aid in SO
many previous defeats, "While there is
life, there is hope, and he made his
retreat in good order in these words:
De time will yit come when you'll
be willin' TO fly 10 desc arms, Rachel
Washington" demonstrating bis hope
ful words by melodramatic flourish OF
those members, conspicuous in ruffIed
wristbands, in the air, as il swooping
for the coveted prey.
He walked off with the manner of one
not ready yet to hang his "harp on the
willow" and stopping 10 bestow de-
ferred caresses upon Bertha, who had
been bribed with paper OF sugar plums,
i. l.