The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-05-31
TOO CLASSIC TO MARRY.
Topie P. Read, in Texas siftings. l

1 Old Sam S:sley ~ss 2 bachelor, hs affirmed, through classic reasons Rather a strange foundation on which to builc life structure of celebacy, but no ons and especially no woman, as far as re. turns were made out, disputed his right regardless of any line of argument which he might adopt. He was bushy-head ed old fellow, with eye-bro~s that pointed out like the anienI9 of a pinch bug with thin growth of beard which tn. boys declared was " set out during dy weather. He chewed tobacco like a sheep chewing grass, and his shirt iron looked like the breast of yellow-ham mer.
 You've never married for classic reasons, ehF' an acquaintance once re marked Now pray tell me what sor, of reason is a classic rec son F
 Well, you see" replied old Sam, lift ing his eyebrows, have spent my life for moment to be thought that l Can ind a woman possessed of so much culture.o
 Wha, good do you derive from all this refined learning: Do you write fgr rhe magAzines!'
 No, for the magazines are stupid and care nothing for finely drawn thought Sometime ago wrote an article on the Etherial Sensations of Canymede and sent Ii to a magazine. But SIT. do you suppose the illiterAte editor would acce,t II! No, he returned the manuscripts l supposed that he probably thought dem 1nded too high a price for 1t, and l sent it again, telling him that as I de- sired to compliment his publication de- handed no reeompense but, sir, he ignored my generous offer. Since tha, tune, have stood quietly by and allow ed the magazines to take their own course
 Old Sam went to a rural district of Arkansaw, and, as the people expressed it, tuck up school" He announced that advanced students should be taken through classical course, and the peo- pie thinking that he meant some kind of a wrestling performaI ce, crowded the school-house. When 1t was discovered that '' classical course" was mental in stead of physical training. the visitors were much disappointed, declaring that if man did no, intend to give show, he should say so without larrupin' the devil 'roun' the stump"
 Among Sans pupils was tall, quiet. pale-faced girl. The teacher thought that he had never seen so sad countenance. She rarely spoke to any one. When not employed with her books, she walked Tn the woods, always choosing the loneliest P.th. Her name was Margaret James, but some of the rough children called her Pen
 One day while old Sam sat near little spring, moss-rimmed and so like the shell of an over-cup acorn, that, half musing, he wondered If he could not take il up and carry it away, Margare, came walk ing slowly along.
 Margaret "
 She started and dropped a bunch of ferns.
 ~Sir..
 Z Come hither, and sit down a mo- men,.'
 She approached and seated herself near him.
 "Why do some of the children call you Pen :' he asked.
 She looked appealingly at him, and the light slowly faded trom her large eyes, leaving her face in ghastly shadow.
 Tell me gil, for am your friend"
 '' But if tell you, no longer would you be my friend.'
 Yes, will.'
 She sa, down. and looking away, said, as If talking to herself Tn Kentucky, l my father killed man and was sent to the penitentiary. He did not live long after this, for he MAS proud man. My mother and came here was but baby and do not remember anything i about that dreadful affair. When 1 was i four years old my mother died and since 1 then l have been living with frs, one family and then another.n
 What was the name of the man your father killed:'
 II don't know, sir
 You are too sensitive, girl. You are not responsible for the crime of your father.'
 Yes, it is curse placed on me or the children would not call me Pen"
 After this old Sam treated the girl with special kindness. Sometimes when he kiduNCu tONdt0 lnC SOIuCt W0CIC SlG sat, he would meet her sad eyes looking gratefully upon him.
 Mir. Sam" she said one evening. when school had been dismissed, "; shal not come here any more.'
 Why. 7. he asked in surprise. Have your friends refused to longer pay your tuition. If so, tell them, shall charge you nothing"
 No, sir, they have not refused. stop of my own accord"
 Margaret, have not treated you kindly?
 "Yes, sir, and that is the cause-'
 Nonsense, girl.7
 "No, not nonsense. Suppose only one person treated you kindly!'
 Then should always seek the society of that one person"
 She did not reply. They had walked along until they had reached the little spring.
 Let us sit down a moment. Now,r when they were seated, ' want you to