The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-01-01
N Standard JACKSON, OHIO, THURSDAY JANUARY L. 1855

head hot and spinning. All;my bones |
ached | had, however. still too much
to do to remain Idle. had to return
the nei hhors plates, mugs, knives a,ld
forks | had borrowed, and to the farm
at Upcott a large tablecloth lent for
the occasion. This | found linked. 1t
had been laid in the .schoolroom on
the desks, and the ink from the pots
had got on it. The farmers wife at
Upcott was furious, and insulted me
grossly when | returned it. In the
evening | went to bed utterly pros
trate. I did not rise from it for sew
eral weeks. Exposure, over-exertion,
and sleeping in damp clothes. brought
on an attack of rheumatic
matte gout. When | recovered from
that I found that my heart was per-
manently affected.
During the period Of my illness the
Board provided asubstitute from one
of the training colleges, and paid
him. deducting the amount from my
salary. My medical attendant sent
me in heavy bill; and | found at
Lady-Day that | was in debt. How
ever, I hoped that by pinching |
might get square after Christmas.
Whitsuntide arrived with bright,
warm weather; and as I had a holiday
on Monday, and felt in good spirits, l
determined to make an excursion
down the line, and visit some of the
friends I had made on the occasion of
the accident. I started by the early
train, in order to catch which | was
obliged to go without my breakfast.
This did not matter, as I had to be at
Farmer Whiteaway's at nine o'clock,
and have something with him. | had
dropped him line ON Saturday, bid
ding him expect me.
When | reached the station, l found
that [ had started without my purse.
However, the station-master gave me
return ticket, on my undertaking to
pay him the money on my coming
back in the evening. When L reached
the terminus, [ found | had three
miles towalk to Yeoman Whiteaway's.
| then regretted had taken no break
fast. Ny illness had left me weak
at least so much less strong than OF
old, that my meals were necessary for
me, and [ could not intermit one
without feeling exhausted and faint.
[ had gone without my breakfast SOLE
ly out of consideration for my house
keeper, whom [ did not care to rouse
before her proper time, and-surely
| could subsist till nine o'clock with
out food. However, in that walk [
felt that I had made a mistake. The
norninc was hot, and the air relax
ing. My brow became covered with
perspiration, and Ifelt the exertion Of
moving my feet at every step.
Three miles to. Whiteaway's! 1t
seemed to me more like four, but then
| may not have gone the shortest way.
I reached the house at last, at ten
o'ck-not nine, as [ had reckoned--
and felt sick and faint.
The farm was cld-fashioned, with
white walls, thatched roof, and broad
wooden windows. The doorway was
of granite with a date cut on it, 1880,
and the initials W. w. The property
had belonged to the Whiteaways sew
eral hundreds Of years. Behind the
house was bank of trees; in front a
little garden, in which white and lilac
rocket were a mass Of flowers, and in
the sun exhaled delicious fragrance.
The beds were fringed with crimson
thrift and London pride full of how-
ers. I tapped at the door, and at a
call to come in, entered. I found my
self in the hall or little front kitchen,
with large fireplace and settle, and a
recess to the south, lighted by a large
w, 4hIc, cot q r
picking green gooseberries for tart.
My heart rose in my mouth. Goose
berry tart was what I relished highly,
and | had tasted none that year.
"Well, what do you want here?"
asked the woman.
us Mr. Whiteaway at home?" [ in
quired cheerfully.
mo, he is not, answered she, with
out raising her eyes from the pie-dish.
''He will be home shortly, no doubt, "
[ said, in a lower key.
Hardly" was her reply.
"Where is he then?n
"Gone to see his brother t'other side
of Exeter
Dear me, how tiresomer' I said.
''Tiresome!" she echoed. "Why SO?
1t is bank holiday"
Because I wrote to him to expect
me here this morning, and [ came on
purpose to see him."
Indeed! Very sorry, but you must
go back. No letter has come
II wrote on Saturday"
There is no delivery on Sunday"
"But there is this morning"
.We send for our letters when we
expect to have any"
''Have [ the honor Of addressing
Mrs. Whiteaway
"Whiteaway is my husband"
was silent. | stood on one foot,
and crossed my legs, out Of nervous
ness. I twirled my hat, with my
hands behind nv back.