Middletown transcript., 1883-12-28


with natural-leaf tobacco. We pulled
and puffed and talked and puffed. L
told my experience and the old man
told his. I had been captain under
Uncle Sam, Jefferson Davis had made
him colonel. The old man had no
family except Myra, his daughter. He
seemed as devoted to her, and quite as
much dependent upon her as Mr.. Wick
field was upon Agnes. i had been SO
much interested in the conversation,
and especially with the occasional
glances cast at Myra, that | did not
think to ask the old man his name
until Just about the time we were ready
to go to bed.
envy name is "Jassmire, = he said,
81 was wonderin' eff you was ever
goin' to ask me, an hanged ef I'd er
told you eff you hadn't. Hope you'll
sleep we'll"
bade him cordial good night, and
with one more glance at the beautiful
girl, l followed the negro boy who ap-
peared with a candle.
1 scarcely remember any of the con-
versation Of the next morning. l know
that 1 saw beautiful face, that l sat
down when an elfn little hand drew
out chair, that heard the music OF
a sweet voice, and that when left l
looked into a pair of eyes, direct in
earnestness. I don't know how [ told
the old man goodbye. l don't know
that l thanked him for his kindness,
even after he had refused to accept pay.
l don't know how [ mounted my horse,
whether climbed on like all awkward
judges do, or whether l was lifted into
the air by admiration for the girl and
sat down on the saddle. The truth is,
don't know anything about it, except
that after a while, how long I'll be
hanged if | know, found myself rid
ing along the road, deep in the contem-
plation Of a divinely drawn picture
which the very sunlight itself framed
and hung before me.
The routine Of court duty was very
dull after this, and 1 longed for the
time when 1 could wander back to the
log house, which to me, held such en-
chantment. Previously 1 had lamented
the fact that had remained so long
bachelor, but now I was glad, because
1 had found an ideal. 1 don't know
how many sentimental decisions |
made during that session Of the court,
but l don't think that it would shed
the light of very much credit on my
judicial career if the constitution of
the country should arise and demand a
statement.
After awhile went back to that old
log house. 1 found the old man just |
the same. He welcomed me as though
he had never seen me before, but with |
rapture noticed that the girl spoke as
though she had seen me before, and |
that she was glad to see me again. |
This time l was determined not to
leave so soon, and, the truth is, I lin
gered several days I walked by the
river with the beautiful creature, and |
helped her to gather the kindling at
night. l roamed with her morning,
at night and at noon-tide, and together
we chased the rabbit and squirrel, and
even the fox, with all of his slyness,
didn't always escape our prowess and
skill. Not among all the neighbors
was there such gilling," +" and 1, for
myself, had never seen one to compare
with her beauty, her grace and her
voice. When I spoke Of my leaving,
the old man objected, and even the girl
did slightly demur, but 1 told them
that business of pressing Importance
was claiming attention from the north
to the south. But the beautiful girl,
with rosy lips pouting, declared in a
way that would have paralyzed Paul,
that / was so restless and wanted to |
leave them, because, as she thought, l
had found them all dull. l made a
brave effort to go without showing the
slightest emotion on my part, you
know, and when the old man seemed so
very anxious that 1 should remain, l |
decided that I'd better go and return
within few days. 1 didn't care to
over do it, you understand. Well, I |
went away, not because l really had |
any business, but because 1 did not !
care to injure my chances, for by this /
time, you may know, I was dead in
love with Myra.
l couldn't remain away but a short
time. When I returned they were all
glad to see me. Myra, it seemed to me,
wanted to kiss me, and 1 would have
kissed her, but l didn't have a good
chance. She was more lovely than
ever, and when at night we walked out
under the stars, felt that she loved
me. l dreamed Of her. Her growing
with books pleased me,
for 1 knew she studied for my sake.
The old man, too, seemed changed to-
ward me. He spoke, when we were
alone, of family affairs, and told me
how glad he was that l had come to
visit him. l saw that he knew I was
in love with his daughter, and with
L noted he encouraged my
suit. One night after Myra had gone
to her room, and while the old man and
1 sat by the fire, the old fellow removed |
his gaze from the glowing Goals, and
looking at me, said:
"Myra is the best girl in the worl'"
You needn't tell me that said I,
g for l know it.
;sHer husban will be happy man."
/" A glorious man." assented.
81 hope that you'll not regret the