The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-04-05
of dress tha, he saw every

head any Of those gipsys or fanchonss
would rest. He remembered that long
ago Aunt Betsey was wont to twist her
hair with the same energy that distin-
guished all her movements, and that this
operation resulted in hard knob at the
back of her head like door handle.
which certainly would not harmortze1
With those capeless head dresses.
just as his brow was overcast with
this thought, the pale girl came neat Un-
Gle Abel, blushing as she did so, in, def 4
snce Of the other girls, holding in her
Ehand plain leghorn bonnet trimRed1
with violet ribbons. Itss7s = ~.
She wore mourning dress, and the
plain brooch at her throat held q lock Of
gray hair.
81 think this might suit you, sir," she
said. at your wife doesn't dress her
hair in these fashions, these bonnets
would not do. This is rich and plain,
and covers the back OF the head and
meek" 80 Rb
"Wa'al now, tell me, for have got 90
bothered with these things. / wantto
get bonnet for Be,sey, and mean to.
Now just tell me il you would like yonr
mother to wear one like this Oh. / beg
your pardon, ma'am; I didn't see. LII
I-am sorry"
The young girl brushed of 4 tear
quickly ~ she said: Sf
/ 81 have no mother now; but IL you
will trust me, sir, think this will snit.
She had stood, hitherto just out of the
range Of John Dare's vision, and bad
not seen him at all. Something in the
sound of her voice attracted him, and
when Uncle Abel called, "Here, John
Darew he stepped hastily toward them.
The girl thrust the bonnet into Uncle
Abels hands, and would have been out
of sight il her dress had not caught on
one Of The branching stands
"Amyr' and John Dare with hot
flush on his face caught her hand. Amy
Egbert, have / found yon at last ?"
The girls face grew white and red by
turns, and the words she spoke came 30
low and broken that only John could
catch their meaning.
Uncle Abel pushed his spectacles up
on his forehead, still holding the hat in
his hand. looking open-mouthed from
one 10 the other.
81 guess you must have knowed this
young woman afore ?" be said but John
lwas too busy With questions, and Amy
was trembling and flushing as she tried
to speak calmly, and 50 his question was.
unanswered. Pretty Josie was dividing.
her attention between = new customer
aud the scene beside her, and betweeu
anger and modification she looked in 20
need OF help from rouge as she tosaed
her head and mut,ered various uncodS.
teous remarks in regard to "that Amy
Eghert and her beau"
Uncle Abel held the bat while longer,
quite patiently, hut at length despaired
OF the interview being ended, 30 he
coughed and then said:
..I'lI take this bunnit Twenty dollars
Lie good deal. Betsey's worth It, amt
she John 2'
JOIN needn't have started SO, or said
"verg," which wasn't a sensible answer
at all; but Uncle Abel laughed little to
himself, and said softly, 'sOh, boys win
he bovs!"' and he was Obliged to tell
Miss Egbert over twice. sa ss
Outside the door John turned to leave
his uncle, and looked At him as shy as
girl as he said "lt's all right, Uncle
Abel You've found new bonnet, and
I've found an old, old friend" IS
Uncle Abel held his hand fast and
looking moment, without speaking, in
the young mans eyes, said: "She's .
motherless girl, john"
"Uncle Abel" and John turned an.
grily away, or wonld have done so il the
OBTAINING hand had not held him. ..Look
here, my boy, meant no offense. None
of my blood turns Villains" be added
proudly; shut you see she's young and
purity and fprlorn,and may be II you see
too much OF her, she might get to think
in more OF you than would be good for
her, and II YOU amt in earnest guess it
would break a her heart Shake hands
with your uncle, nv boy. mean no
harm; but promised Liza when she
was on her dying bed thatI would aIlus
ltry to give you good advice, and the last
words a'most that she spoke, says she
lsAhel. watch over my boy >"
"My dear, kind uncle, ! thank you :
indeed do-but could not hear to
think that YOU should misjudge me. ]
knew Amy long ago, when her parents
we're both living. and she had all that
wealth could give loved her then in
Ia quiet way, but ] was too poor to tell
her so. Then came reverses and death,
and in her poverty and pride the girl hid
herself from me resolutely until-,nax-
She tried to earn her bread by her &C.
lcomplishments, but failed, and took this
means to do so Now, il can win her
for nv wife, shall bring Mrs. John
Dare to see you some fine day this sum-
ner-may /, Uncle Abel ?"
"Ws'al, wa'al, IL things don't turn out
queerp soliloquized Uncle Abel home
ward bound, with q bandbox placed on
1.-The seat before him "To think how
near l come to gettin' one of them zip
sizes for Betsef. Why she wouli have
laughed a week about it. And then to
.hirk that painted pictur' of girl was
making game Of ne all that while And
then the other one taking the trouble to
tell a stupid fellow like me what was the
fright thing to buy. I guess she would
make our John good wife; and aftef
Betsy and me has passed away ,there'll
he nice bit of property coming to John,
and thstll help him on ,sas
How pleasant Aunt Betsey was when
the old man, gave her the new. bonnet
How fair and young hetlooked in the
II fresh ribbons and soft Monde around
her face! And how che laue ehed at the
idea Of. wearing zone Of them dish COW
ers on ber head !"
i Just whenSthe country was In its June
lglory John Dare brought his bride to the
farm house where he had spent so many
childish hours, and he led her to all the
!. old familiar spots. But as long ss .
STRAW and ribbon may endure to keeE
them both In mind how.John Dare found
his wife, they tell the story OF the time
!. when Uocle Absl'bought Aunt Betsey'l
bonnet.
. YY.-~y. 4 =. A. q.