The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-19

q no 3ullH G1eS on U9r 6WOyD breast. = ~
O royal ROsci
--AEstts DO6son, il, Harper's Magazine.
In A HOLLOW ELM.
The morning train. with a great
rattle andemuch snorting and putting
from the locomotive. skirted the low
or end Of the little New England viii
lage Of Middleton, and finally, with a
wheezy sigh. as though from exhaus-
ti0n, came tOa standstill opposite the
rcd, b0x-like structure dignified with
the name OF depot.
One passenger alighted, and after
sundry preliminary puffs and shorts,
the train continued on its course.
None among the little throng Of
oilers on the station platform recog-
nixed the new conner, who was rather
shabbily dressed, with d consumptive
st10p TO his shoulders and q pale.
.9clear-cut face. lighted by two large
black eyes, which, from their dreamy
expression, seemed to be gazing upon
s0nae scene far away.
nHsuess he'sa book peddler,' said
old isaiah Buttertield, the village ora
ole. shading his eyes with his hand
and gazing after the stranger. Yes,
II know he is, for he's turnin' into
Squire Merriman's gate. Coin to git
him n . subscriber fust, rs q sort of a
recommend. an then tackle the rest
of the village
Esquire Jacob Merriman was the
village magnate, and lived IN the fin
est house il, town.
The supposed book peddler walked
slowly up the straight gravel path
lending 70 the front door. and rang
the bell.
After quite q long wait during which
q blind was cautiously opened at an
upper window aud apair Of bright
eyes surveyed the visitor, the door
was opened by . servant girl who had
evidently just come from the wash
tub, judging from the red, perspiring
face and steaming, parboiled arms,
which were barred above the elbows.
.Sure, WI want nothin' to-day!'
cried the girl, with an angry toss of
her head, and she was about to close
tho door.
beg your pardonn!' said tho visit
tor. stepping into the hall. SIS Miss
Kate ct hOmeP'
! That shesis. sir.
her my card, please" con
tinued the caller.
And thrusting his hand into an in
ner pocket. he drew therefrom a
shabby wallet. and handed the girl a
card, on which was written, in bold
characters, the name:
JoHN KENT"
The girl took the card by one o +
ner. with the tips of her thumb and
finger. and bidding the gentleman be
seated IN the hall. disappeared.
In q lew minutes she returned, and
with saacy pertness delivered her
Message.
Sure, Miss Kate says she's not at
home u the ioikes of you.'
Ah!' murmered Kent, and his pale
ssce flushed.
He did not stop to expostulate or
make further inquiries concerning this
strange message, but walked through
the door, which, the girl held open for
him, and slammed shut, with { bang,
ID soon rs his feet touched the
porch, with his shoulders more stopped
thM when he entered
might have expected this" he
muttered. between the house and the
gate.
And another weary sigh escaped
him.
He stopped . minute on the side
walk. aud. sitter looking up and down
tho street. walked toward the left, and
= short distance from the house turned
down another street which led by the
town hall and the two meeting houses,
the blacksmith shop, and the grave
yard across the railroad, and tho mar
row little River Ipswich, and on out
SintoSthe country.
I'll take one last look at the farm
heasaid, when he reached the bridge,
Andgpaused for momentto gaze down
into the tumbling water, ..and then go
bAck ~ thesold life of foil, and hunger,
and want s58s
He heard the sound Of approaching
sWheelssA nd raised his eyes.
a little wagon, drawn by q stout
pony,whose driver was arosy checked,
curly-headed young lady, not over
twenty years OF age, was rapidly APP
aproehinG, and at sight Of tho pony and
driver his cheek again flushed, and q
glad smile Of recognition wrcathed his
thin lips.
The pony slackened his pace as he
:neAred the bridge, and John Kent
raised his hat to the curly-headed
driver.
Good morning, Miss osborner' he
sAid.
Ana the ponystopped short.
sstsMeN, declared cried Ella Os-
sborne.in . clear, ringing voice. Its
JoArsK Kent. come back to old Middle
Ihs young man smiled sadly.
- i rs IL he said. "I'm
gofngstotake : last look at the old
rmss
~ where have you been
~ q ta zee years since your Uncle
the West, he answered. with
Ambiguous wave OF the hand in that
direction.
you didn't make Your for
4 came back poorer than when
lsMett aWay.