The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-01-13
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EDID | FLlRT WITH HER %

was engaged to Margaret Sheppard and 1
thought myself the luckest man living, Marea
ret was so handsome that no stranger ever saw
her without expressing admiration; and one did
not weary Of her face after years of familiarity
with 1t. She was well bred, accomplished and
great heiress I had reason to believe that she
was very fond Of me. No man could be more
entirely content than was as leaned back in
the palace car that bore me over the country to
New Valladolid, where was to preach for few
Sundays
The pulpit was vacant, and l was Just trying
my wings. With my pecunisry prospects,
scarcely thought shonld care to accept call to
New Valladolid but had no objection to filling
its pulpit for few weeks especially as Margaret
had gone to Saratoga, and Now York was warm
and stuffy and stupid.
Casual remembrances of elegant parsonages
built in the Queen Anne style, of a study where
the footballs were soitened by Persian rugs, and
the doors draped with portiere of velvet, chairs
and desk carved richly as some confessional all
fitted through my mind. Aud thought also Of
a table spread with silver and rare china, with
lady at It's head who resembles a queen. And l
breathed luxurious sigh as awakened out of
my day dream to a knowledge that the words
New ValladOlid" were being shouted through
the car, and that the train was coming to stand.
still before a little pine station.
l caught my travelling bag from the catchall
overhead, and harried out of the car. The por.
ters had Just dumped four five trunks on the plat
form, Two very old wagons stood in the road,
one driven by an old woman In a sun bonnet, the
other by red haired boy, with bare feet; and
queer knock kneed horse attached to a still
queerer old buggy was tied to post at little
distance.
A young man, in very light summer suit, and
a city family bent on rural happiness were my
companions on the platform The former put his
trunk into the first wagon, kissed the old woman
in the sun bonnet, took the reins and drove away.
He was evidently the son of the family, come
home to spend his vacation. The rest Of the
trunks and the CITY family, mother, father, little
boy, nurse and baby, were put into the wagon
driven by the boy
Some one cried, "All aboard I" Conductors
leaned out over the platforms al made mysteri-
GUS signals to each other with hands held side.
ways The cars ratified and clashed, the whistle
shriehed, and the train moved away.
1 was left alone on the platform alone but for
the baggage MASTER who sat upon log chewing
astraw.
In another moment more this funCHonsry, with.
out looking at nae, made remark:
Deacon Glover has come down for the new
dominic. He's over to the store. Comm back in
minute"
"Thank you" said l.
The baggage master took no notice Of me, but
having climbed upon a stool and made some
changes In time register on the wall OF the sta.
ton, locked the door, put the key In his pocket,
and sauntered away down the sandy road.
l took his place upon the log and waited. In
few moments prime little old gentleman in
linen duster, appeared upon the top OF the hill,
carrying in one hand tin can, in the other tin
pail, and under either arm brown paper parcel.
1 knew at glance it was Deacon Glover,
That Mr.. Gnnnetf' he inquired mildly, as he
approached. II want to know hadn't any ex-
peetation Of being kept so long, but you see, 1t
saves the womed folks trouble to fetch things
over when drive down. Step In, won't your I'll
get in after. I'll jest hang this can Of kerosene lie
do The molasses and tea and coffee can go un.
der the seat as well as not. How's your health,
sir and how do you like New Valladold2"
answered that my health was good, and that
l had not, as yet, seen much Of Valladolid, the
New
mo more you haven't said the old gentleman.
well, you'll drive through 1t now" He shook
the reins and the old horse began to stumble
along, And on we drove past certain rows of
frame houses very much like each other and with
the same flowers In their front gardens, until
having passed the church, we came to one hap.
PLY set about by old oak trees, before the gate OF
which he drew up
A girl stood by the gate-a fair girl In blue
muslin dress and white apron.
Take the molasses, Tilly, before It gets upset."
said the deacon. This is Mr.. Gannet, that's to
preach for us. Mr.. Gannet this is my daughter
Tnly."
We bowed and then she vanished with the par
cells.
what lovely little creatureI" said to myself.
Nothing like Margaret, but so prettyp And l
found myself thinking Of her as washed my
hands and brushed my hair In the blue walled
bedroom on the second Hoor, and white fringed
counter pane and curtains, and two black sill.
houettes over the mantlepiece, on either side Of
the china vases of roses.
There were only four Of us at table-the deacon,
his wife, stout lady who never said more than
she could help, and Tilly, She had spent the last