Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

then ?"
Much puzzled, and being no scientist,
he would answer
"Joe's rot wise enough to tell you
that, cherub :" and then finding him
puzzled by her questions, the blue eyes,
on occasions like these. were wont to
widen with astonishment, for she
thought Joe knew very nearly every
thing.
When she was leaving, it was her
habit TO put her arms around his neck
and kiss him aud they loved each
other very, very much.
But time goes by for young and old.
1t seemed but l.tle while till Nellie
became almost woman, and it was no
longer proper for her to go to Joe's
forge, but to be sure he could go to
her.
And now, not to linger by the way,
Joe had learned to love her with the
love of manhood, and she returned his
love. They would have been very hap
py but for Nellie'S father; the old man
would have her look higher than
blacksmith. So when Richard Ross
young, handsome, and rich-came TO
the cottage, the old man smiled and en-
couraged him.
| This Richard Ross was not worthy
of Nellie. For all his riches, his heart
was merest dross beside the pure gold
of Joe's. When he passed the shop the
sturdy smith brought his hammer
down like an angry giant for,you see,
this Richard Ross was stealing his life
| away.
Yes, stealing his life away. ,Ioe's
ruddy face grew pale if the torture
continued long, death would be the
end. You may judge from this how
much he loved her.
Still he went to see her. If he found
Richard Ross there, he left hastily,
and, rushing back to the forge, work
ed like mad till midnight.
One evening Nelie's father shut The
door in his face, with II don't want
you coming here any more -
Joe knew how obedient the girl was
and The words struck him like sword.
The next day he receiyed a note, so
sad from little Nellie. 1t said she low
ed HIM still, but lie must not come "a
gain. Her father said so. Re COM
manded her to listen to Richard loss
she had neyer disobeyed her father yet;
she could not do 50 now. but l will
plead and pray, delr Joe, and you must
hope.n
But Joe did not hope He gave her
up. He felt angry with her, too, for
her obedience to her father.
Time went on, and the blacksmith
grew paler yet. He grew morose, too,
and unlike himself and the village
loungers no longer loved to gather at
his forge. The name Of Richard Ross
maddened him. Once he caught one
by the throat for saying Richard and
Nellie were to be married soon.
One day the idiot Of the village,
Crazy Sam" stood watching Joe.
The lad had something on his weak
mind, and nodded and shook his head
IN glee then drew from his pocket
two silver pieces and gazed on them
with swelling pride. Finally he asked
"Why don't you cry, Joe Mann ?
why don't you cry ?''
The black smith glowered on him
from under frowning brow.
''I'd cry if was you, Joe," said the
idiot "I'd cry if Richard Ross stole
my gal"
With a sound that was half a roar
of rage, and half a grOan Of pain, Joe
sprung upon him, aud in an instant
| had BONE him to the floor and set bis
knee upon the IDIOTS breast.
In another moment he might have
killed the boy, but that the idiots
helplessness and terror made him pause
and recall him to himself. A thought
struck him.
"Who told You to say that ?" he de-
manded.
Orchard Ross. lie gave me the
money for to say it,
''The low hound - shrieked Joe.
"Heaven have mercy on his soul Z"
He released Crazy Sam, and went a
bout his work again quite calmly (; but
the pallor of his face was awful to see.
When evening drew on, he picked up
long, rusty knife blade, and fitted it
into stout handle. Then he stepped
o his grindstone, and sharpened and
ground the rusty blade.
Alb but Joe was changed There
was despair ard muldCr in his noble
heart.
The night fell and lie stood, knife
in hald, silently waiting.
Orchard Ross leaves her home at
ten, - he muttered, land goes on the
lonely road through the woods"