The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-05-23

I'm content to dwell apart
From all else, Thy love to know.
Blessed Sun of Righteousness,
I so love to look on Thee,
That my eyes are growing blind
To the things once dear to me.
-Independent Cdthotse Magazine.
Hiram Jenkins Mistake.
Hiram Jenkins drove slowly up the
hill road that led to the farm house o1
Deacon Bates. 1t was plain even to
the casual observer that the errand he
was on was of no common importance.
No man would have arrayed himself SC
gorgeously simply for purchase of q
tub of fall butter or yoke of steers.
His hair was in state of distressing
smoothness, and seemed almost a part
of the glossy hat which covered it.
His coat and pantaloons were marvel
Gus in their way, and his boots, which
were elaborately BACKED, reflected the
rays of the setting sun in manner per-
fectly binding to the beholder. And
yet, Notwithstanding his superiority in
all these respects to the lilies of the
field, there was apparent in his actions,
a singular sort of nervousness, a trepi-
dation almost, which rendered his ap-
pearanec at once ridiculous and awk-
ward. This trepidation was in no wise
lessened by the sudden vision of red
headed urchin watching him from the
barn-door, and who, as the team ap-
preached, with an ever widening grin,
sped off in the direction of the farm
house and disappeared through the
kitchen door. Hiram was conscious a
minute afterwards of being the target
for half dozen pairs of eyes from the
sitting-room windows, and it required
extraordinary strength of mind on his
part to drive past the house to the shade
where the horses of all the visitors were
hitched. There are few more awkward
things TO do than to get out or in car
riage when women are watching, and
though Hiram had probably never
thought before, he fully experienced its
truth, as endeavoring to spring gently
from the buggy, his foot slipped on the
wheel and he came down on his hands
and knees in the dirt. His remarks as
he scrambled to his feet were confined
to one word, but that, though short,
was the most expressive one in the Eng
lish language.
'I'll have to go rcsasnds before i can
~ii 20 in, he SAID to himself. 4 suppose
they are having their fun out of me in
the house now. Confound it, wish |
hadn't started!'
AS he passed the door of the horse
barn which was partly open he heard
the sound of voices. He listened and
isheart sank as he recognized the tone of
his rival, Elnathan Rogers.
4 want her bad, he was saying.
'She just suits me. You can't always
have her, you know, and you'd better
call the thing settled
Il don't know about that said the
deacon doubtfully. I've always said,
come what would, wouldn't part with
Jenny. But you hang on so, l don't
know
Say it's a bargain, deacon. I've
thought it over good while, and Jenny
1 must have. I'll treat her we'll you
may be sure of that
The deacon hesitated, blew his nose,
and finally said:
She's got some little tricks that no.
body knows nothing about but me, and
I don't want to impose upon a neigh
bor.'
ooh, pshaw that's only an excuse,
deacon, I'm willing to risk it,
eShe kicked me in the stomach last
winter, and bit little Sammy not morn
six weeks ago. 1 can show you the
scar now
Great king!' thought Hiram, 'and
here 1 was going to pop the question
this very night. Who would have
thought it 7
sI'll take that out of her. said Elna
than, continuing the conversation
IF she even lifts foot against me, IL
give her lickin' that'll last month.
'Lick!' calculated Hiram to himself
astonished beyond measure. 'Licl
Jenny Bates Well, this goes ahead o
anything 1 ever heard of. And the ole
man doesn't say word What next 2
A pause ensued, which was at las
broken by the deacon:
well, if you must have her, yol
must. 1 expect the old lady'll wan
something to say about it, though
She thinks as much of Jenny as l do
Won't you come into the house7'
mot now. I've got to go down t
the village before dark. I'll be arount
sometime to- morrow
Hiram Jenkins waited until he say
his successful rival climb the fence be
tween the two farms. Then he delhi
erately unhitched his horse, got int
his wagon and drove off, never castin
look towards the window where tn
fair Jenny sat in watchful expectation
Not until he reached his own door di
he draw long breath.
1T seems just like dream said h
to himself, as he slowly unbuckled tn
harness. 'To think of Jenny Bate
kicking her own father and biting he
own brother, and she looks as thoug
butter wouldn't melt in her mouth 1t
just as mean, though, in the deacon
lick as 'tis for her to kick. The ol
hypocrite Well, I must say II
nightly deceived in the Bateses.
s'pose Elnathan Rogers feels crank
enough now he's got her. I just hoI
she'll kick his head off. Lucky for n
overheard what / did,
Notwithstanding this self congratul
tion, Hiram felt all the pangs of disal
pointment and jealousy. He had nj
only lost his girl but had been cut
the most Notifying manner by ms
he held in thorough contempt. F
felt that even with what he knew
Jenny's faults, if he could gain h
. hand he would carry her off in spite
her rival or the deacon either.