Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-12-10
New Series-Vol. 25. No. 80

you put me out inter the road, and I've
got just leetle the best end of the ar
cement now
So Basil waited, sitting on a rock few
feet away, and occasionally walking up
and down, stamping his feet to beat the
chill out of his bones. The sur went
down. the night air became colder, and
Thew had not uttered one word after
his first refusal of assent to Basil's pro-
posal.
Shortly after midnight Basil stood
near his head, and said, gently:
I'm sorry for you, Uncle Ben; for
you're pretty good man, as locofocos
go, and I'm thinking the heavy frost
will make it unpleasant for you before
morning. and after that you can't stand
between me and Kizzie. When a fell
lows dead, be loses his argument, don't
he Uncle Ben?'
Then Thew muttered: 4 wish 1 had
pledged herl wish 1 had After
little pause he added: Il amt sure but
you're right about that, Baz; and I
s'pOse l might as well have it 90 on
while I'm living as after I'm dead
That's about the size of of it, Uncle
Ben, and very sensible way of looking
at it,
Very well, Baz, get me out and help
me home
Certain, Uncle Ben, certain, and 1 N
powerful sorry you've been inconvenien-
ced. powerful sorry. But you see it's
took long time to get the argement
through you.'
Basil rolled the stone away and lifted
Thew, who. with the cold and his iDju>
ry, was unable to stand on bis feet. Then
Basil took the injured and chilled man
on bis back. When they were in sight
of Thew's home Benjamin Thew said:
'Baz. you're pretty stout lad, for 1
amt no chicken to carry
Basil laughed, and walked on briskly.
'Oh, be said. you're Kizz!es father; that
makes the load lighter, Uncle Ben
We'll, Baz,' Thew responded, there
are worse fellows than you, and Pm
man of my word in letter and sperit,but
I'm thinking if you want Kizzie bad you
had better net brag much about your
convincing argement.'
oh. Uncle Ben, I'm not of braggiEg
stock
That's sensible, Baz, and if was you
and wanted Kizzie right bad, think L
wouldn't never let her hear it; not that
I'm objeeting, Bsz; you may tell her as
soon as you get to the door, but I'm Civ
ing you fair warning, to keep ny prom>
Use in sperit as well as word
In two weeks Benjaman Thew was on
his feet, and in time the guests assem>
bIed at Thew's house to witness the
marriage of Keziah and Basil. Among
the guests was one Rhoda Boynford,
cousin Of Basil. He accompanied her
to Thew's. On the way he confded to
her the story of the cold night on the
mountain side. and in speaking about
which he afterWard said: 1t only shows
what fool man can be at times.
Rhoda was an open-mouthed, rattle
Drained creature. She ran into the room
where Keziah was dressed and looking
pretty. as brides do, only waiting for the
arrival of Basil to nave the ceremony
Begin. oh, how lovely you look. 1
don't wonder at Basil, dear me; but it
was the boldest and smartest thing; and
did you never know how your father
came to consent?'
Then the story came out. Rattle
Drained Rhoda did not observe how tie
color was disappearing from KeZiah's
cheek. When she concluded Keziah
opened the door, and seeing Basil she
beckoned to him. When he was in the
room and the door closed, she asked:
Basil, is this story Rheda tells true?'
Basil hesitated little, and then aG+
mitted.
Then Keziah said: Come into the 9TH
er room, Basil There was something
in her low voice that filled Basil with
alarm. In the other room and among
the guests, Keziah raised her voice.
Friends she said, there will be no
marriage here to-day There was lit
tie trembling in her voice, which was
quite strong and audible to every one in
the room. Basil expostulated. So did
Benjamin Thew. Then his daughter
whispered in his ear. Pap. l have heard
how he won your consent
Nonsense, kiZZie; think l would
have done the same for your mother
4 don't believe it, pap. 1t was cruel.
very cruel, and will never marry any
man who can be cruel to my father.
Never pap, neverr
Then Keziah turned to the wondering
guests:
Come, friends, where is the fiddle?
Let US dance She took the arm of the
oldest man in the party. Come, Uncle
Ted, You'll be my partner. If we don't
have wedding, we'll have good time
at any rate
The music struck up. aud light feet
carried wondering heads through the
mazes of the Virginia reel.
Five years later the war began. Benz
jamin Thew and Basil Boynford espouS-
ed different sides in the great contest. At
the first Bull hun. Benjamin Thew heard
the command: Forward! guide centerl
double quick marchP He rushed for
ward and never returned. He was bu-
ried on the field where he fell beside his
comrades in gray.