The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-06-08
WHY I DIsOBEYED ORDERS
BY COULTER RU.xToN.

MIR. Singleton, the manager OF the
clearinghouse of Sterling, Coin & Co.,
r came up to my desk, and with a pleas
ant smile handed me an envelope.
II suppose you would like your holi-
day now, Frank" he said. ''You have
drudged the year through without muir
muring or shrinking from your duty,
and the firm gives you four weeks
whole month, my boy"
Thank you, Mr.. Singleton" said,
blushing and smiling. 'You have been
good enough to speak kindly of me to
the company, see, and l heartily thank
you"
Il did not commend you to them more
than you deserve, Frank" he returned.
Come back to your place month from
to-day, and see to it that your face is
not so pale as it is just now. / trust you
will have pleasant vacation" Then,
with pleasant laugh, he added, 'Above
all things. don't fall in love"
'Fal in lovcr' repeated to myself,
as Mr.. Singleton quietly retired to his
private room. mo, by Jove, Frank st.
John, you must think of something else
than love-making-fishing, shooting,
boating-wandering through the grand
old woods that are within rifie-shot of
the dear old home, where that good,
sweet mother of mine still lives to bless
us ALL"
l opened the envelope. It contained
an order on the cashier for one hundred
dollars.
ssGoodr' 1 cried. 81 have saved a
couple of hundred during the year.
With this generous present 1 certainly
ought to make the month move along
merrily. No, Mr.. Singleton" added,
''don't be afraid of me. Love is not in
my notebook, l assure YOU"
And yet, so very inconsistent is hui
man nature. that while I thus mused
there fitted before my minds eye 3
form that used to make my heart get in
to my throat.
.'Ah, Jennie, suppose you've forgot
ten me-" l murmured. Il suppose you
have entirely iglored me. now that I
have been absent from you for nearly
whole year. Some other fellow, sup
pose; is good deal nearer and dearer
to you now than verimagined myself
in your estimation. Well. never mind,
Jennie Strong. l won't be jealous of
him.
And vet, somehow, while was max
ing my preparations to return to the ma
tive nest, Jennie's sweet face, with her
deep blue eyes, would peer into my So
berer orbs.
Nv home was near Oneida Lake, and
i made haste to reach it.
The first day of my vacation saw me
in Albany. The afternoon of the second
in Utica, and four hours later l was in
my dear mothers arm, as happy rs
king.
Now, mind you. had firmly resolved
not to think of love. for my superior had
particularly warned me against indulg-
ing in such silly pastime; and so, just
as soon as had rested, and called on
my brothers, sisters, cousins and aunts,
who were not Mt the homestead, but who
were settled within few miles of it,
began to make grand preparations for
| rod and gun work. But, somehow,
when / got into the woods, the game
wouldn't stay long enough to be shot;
and as for the fish, they nibbled the bait
away without so much as touching the
hook. l couldn't make it out. ! used
| to be accounted sure shot, and as for
! fishing, why, the fnny creatures were
SO glad to be caught by me that they
would follow whenever I went on the
lake!
Il don't know how it is, mother"
| said, before the close of the first week,
''but there's no use of my carrying a
gun or fishing-rod any longer. can't
shoot or hook game"
80, Iknow the reason, Frank" cried
| Margaret, the sister who always teased
| me most, and who, of my near relatives,
i cared most for, 20. know. brother
mine," she repeated. What will you
! give to know?"
Nothing" said, petulantly. "All
know is I can't do any thing at home
now as used to do it."
4 ''Of course not, SIR" said Miss Mar
| garet, with mock seriousness. ''Shave
off that moustache you're so vain OF,
with your city airs, and the fish will
bite.n
''Tushr l exclaimed.
"And, Master Frank" continued my
tease, ''if you will rid your mind of one
thought, you can bring down wood gaine
easy enough"
| l blushed.
"What do you meanp" demanded.
''rd like to know, SIR" she retorted,
''why you haye never thought of calling
on a certain parsonage you were so Uery
sweet on before you went to the big
city. It's my private impression public
ly expressed that you've some fashiona-
bic flame on your cards, sir, and have
entirely forgotten poor Jennie Strong,
to whom you vowed eternal constancy
before you left her to mourn over her
sad fate"
you're foolish, Maggie" l said,
somewhat tartly.
80, these young men-these young
menr' she continued. raising her hands
upward and looking solemnly out of he,
great eyes. What conceited puppies
they arer'
My face was aflame.
Il promised Mr.. Singleton" said
gaspingly, 'before l left him not to fal
in love-"
Maggie on hearing this fairly crowed
xy;th lounbfor 0pd I oould not halD No