The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-11-05

HeF IeeC. IL L paSS6u my aTnlS unuer
her recumbent form her limp extrem-
tiles caused the weighty body to slip
between its supports and she returned
to mother earth. Finally happy So
luton occurred to me. | hung her
head and arms over my left shoulder,
embraced her knees, and so, at the
risk of asphyxiating her, set off at
double for the farmhouse.
But the pace was too good to last.
The trot became walk, the walk de-
generated into stagger, and at last,
fifty yards from the gate, had just
strengt enough to lay down my bur-
den and subside. At this instant the
garden gate opened, and stout, elder
ly female appeared on the scene. |
shouted. She turned. aud took in the
purport of my appeal and hastened to
the spot.
Curiously enough, at this moment
Miss Spinks shuddered, opened her
eyes, closed them again and exclaimed
wildly
"Oh, where am 1? where is he?
what has happened?"
"Come, my deary," cried the old
lady soothingly. "Dont'ee be fright
ed. The gentleman's all safe.'
Miss Spinks took comfort, sat up,
and rubbed her eyes. Her new friend
took her hand and raised her to her
feet. saying,-.
"Now do'ee jump up and come
along O me. You'll catch your death
sitting around in these wet things"
Miss Spinks seemed to realize this
fact, and, supported on one side by
the farmeress and on the other by
myself, she made very good essay to
walk to the house. On the way |
sketehed the accident which led to our
present plight, but could not help no
ticing that my mention Of the faint
ing fit caused the ancient dame to look
skeptically at her charge, while sus-
picion Of heightened color showed
itself in Miss Spinks's cheeks.
| Arrived at the farm, the good house
wife took Miss Spinks at once to the
upper regions, and, shortly returning,
brought me an outfit Of her husbands,
and gave me permission to make my
toilet by the kitchen fire-an offer |
gladly accepted In ten minutes L
was rugged out in Farmer Blizzard s
Sunday best suit Of broadcloth, with
the waist buttons somewhere about
my hip-joints, and a waistcoat which
would have made me an ulster. Thus
attired, sailed forth, to find that the
good soul had already sent laborer,
who was on speaking terms with the
bull, to reclaim my coat and hat, and
on his return Mrs. Blizzard took the
former for needful repairs, while
availed myself Of my recovered pipe
and pouch to WOO consolation in the
form of the nymph Nicotiana.
Even a pipe has its limits, and at
length courtesy compelled me to
knock out the ashes and return in
doors to inquire after my companion.
Our hostess met me in the porch with
beaming expression Of intelligence
and maternal interest, which [ was at
loss to account for, and, ushering G
me into the best parlor, where a
bright fire had been kindled in our
honor. closed the door, and left me
tete tete with Miss Spinks. The am
pie garments in which she was now
attired hung somewhat loosely upon
her, and did not improve her appear
ance; but I felt that my own get-up
was unromantic, and forebore to be
critical. We partook Of Mrs. Biz
ards sherry and biscuits, and under
the genial influences of fire and re-
freshments 1 felt impelled to offer
slightly equivocal thanks for the good
intention with which she had followed
me into the river. She modestly ac-
cepted my compliments on her pres
ence Of mind. adding
II have often wished for the time
when [ might face danger for the
sake Of another. But l could not
do so for everybody"
81 feel fattered, then, that you
should make an exception in my ia
vor."
"Ah! that was different" she mur-
INJURED II owed my life to you al
ready. But even without that I would
have done it for you."
''And why for me more than for
others?" [ inquired jestingly.
"Oh, Mr.. Hastie!' she went on,
with curious irrelevance; ''do not
you believe in afinities? Have you
never met with kindred spirit, never
felt perfect sympathy which would
impel you to acts Of heroism beyond
your own control?"
TO BE CONTINUED.