The Wahpeton times., 1885-08-20
In A HOLLOW ELM.

rattle and much snorting and pulling
from the locomotive, skirtcd the low
er end of the little New England vii
lage of Middleton, and finally, with u
wheezy sigh, as though from cxhans-
tion, came to a standstill opposite the
red, hoX-like structure dlgnliied with
the name of depot.
One passenger alighted, and after
sundry preliminary putls and snorts,
the train continued on it's course.
None among the little throng of
idlers on the station platform recog-
nized the new conner, who was rather
shabbily dressed, with consumptve
stoop to his shoulders and pale,
clearcut face, lighted by two large
black eyes, which, from their dreamy
expression, seemed to be gazing upon
some scene far away.
''Guess he's Il book pcddler," said
old Isaiah Butterlield, the village ora
Gle, shading his eyes with his hand
and gazing after the stranger "Yes,
l know he is, for he's turnin' into
Squire Merriman's gate. Coin to cit
him rs subscriber fust, us a 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 in town.
The supposed book peddlcr walked
slowly up the straight gravel path
leading to the front door, and rang
the bell.
After quite long wait during which
q blind was cautiously opened at an
upper window and u pair of bright
eyes surveyed the visitor, the door
WAS opened by a servant girl who had
| evidently just come from the wash
tub, Judging from the red, perspiring
face and steaming, parboiied arms,
which were barred above the elbows
''Sure, we want nothin' to-daym
cried the girl, with an angry toss of
her head, and she was about to close
the door.
81 beg your pardonn' said the visi-
tor, stepping into the hall. "Is Miss
Kate ut home?''
"That she is, SIR
''Take her my card, please" con-
tinued the caller.
And thrusting his hand into an in
ner pocket, he drew therefrom q
shabby wallet, and handed the GIRL %
card, on which was written, in bold
characters, the name:
''JOHN KENT.''
| The girl took the card by ono cor
ner, with the tips OF her thumb and
finger, and bidding the gentleman be
seated in the hall, disappeared.
/ In 4 few minutes she returned, and
with saucy pertness delivered her
message.
Sure, Miss Kate says she's not at
home to the loikes Of vou.''
"Ah!' murmered Kent, and his pale
face 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.
as soon as his feet touched the
porch, with his shoulders more stopped
than when he entered.
81 might have expected tbis," he
muttered, between the house and the
gate.
And another weary sigh escaped
He stopped q minute on the side
walk, and, after looking up and down
the 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
into the country.
I'll take one last look at the farm,'
he said, when he reached the bridge,
and paused for moment to gaze down
into the tumbling water, "and then 90
back to the old life of toll, and hunger,
and want
Ho heard the sound of approaching
wheels, and raised his eyes.
A little wagon, drawn by stout
pony, whose driver was Il rosy checked,
curly-headed young lady, not over
twenty years of age, was rapidly ap-
proching, and at sight of the pony and
driver his cheek again flushed, and a
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 Osborne!' he
said.
And the pony stopped sholt.