Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-08-04

somewhat, Jake attended s'singing" held
at the district school-house. All the young
people of the neighborhood were there
Conspicuous among them was Rosa Ander-
son, captivating with her radiant beauty
and coquettish ways-at least she appeared
so to poor Jake.
There was long recess, during which
games were played out of doors by the light
of the moon. Once while these games were
in process Jake held Rosa's hand in his,
and he was afraid she would hear his he art
humping against his vest He forgot him
self and crushed the little hand in his great
powerful palm She complained that he
was rough Then he took it tenderly in
both of his, but she jerked it away and ran
off.
When the singing had closed and the
young people were filing slowly cyst ersthe
house, Jake, ever impulsiFe, aDd Eco zaadly
in love to be discreet, pushed forward, offer
ing his arm to escort Rosa home, but she,
with nose tilted in the air, gave him the
"mitten.''
The boys nudged each other and cast
quizzing glances at him. A few openly
jeered him. He got out of the house as
we'll as he could. and cut across the fields
toward home. When he reached his faith
er's farm he sat down ON log on the edge
of little patch of timber. | doubt if the
moon ever looked down upon greater mis-.
cry.
He sat there for long time, the agony
in his heart wringing bitter tears from his
eyes. Do not laugh, reader, you have been
in similar situation and know it was not
laughable matter. But be stayed there
until he had strangled his love, and be dug
grave in which to bury it-a grave so deep
that when once inferred, it could never be
resurrected. All, if she had only known
what she had lost.
The struggle was over; he wiped his face
and put away his handkerchief. Then he
stood up and with clenched fists vowed he
would have his revenge. She should see
the day she would regret what she had done
tonight.
When Jake reached mis- fathers door
there was q faint streak of light in the
east, and the barnyard fowls were begin
ming to stir. His mother let him in; she
had been watching for him. Helooked her
square in the face. She saw, though the
candle she held in her hand gave but a dim
light, that her boy had suddenly changed to
a man, and her mothers heart understood.
The two gazed into each others eyes for a
moment. The son saw an expression of
tender sympathy. The mother saw one of
determination and defiance. She knew
something was going to happen, and she
felt that she hated Rosa Anderson.
Jake helped his father through with the
fall work. Then he quietly told his parents
he was going to visit his uncle in Kansas,
and if he could find an opening there for
himself he would remain. His mother was
prepared for such an announcement, but it
was great shock to the father. 1t had
never occurred to him that his son would
do else than remain on the farm, and final
ly, when he was done with it, take posses
sion. He did everything in his power to
dissuade his son from his "fool notion,' as
the father called it, but to no purpose. The
only concession Jake would make was that
perhaps he would come back in the spring.
But spring came and grew into Summer and
the Summer into Autumn, yet the father
still mourned the loss of his boy. Then
came the news that Jake had entered as a
student in a law office in the town of s.,
Kan. AS the years sped on reports much
to his credit were circulated among his old
friends and neighbors. Hard work and
honest endeavor were bringing their legiti-
mate fruit, success. Apparently he had
dll dDUuG ItUStt tuc iSNctiSc
he had once craved.
After Jake had gone, Rosa Anderson,
with an inconsistency not uncommon in
females, felt new tenderness springing up
in her heart for him, and regret that her
little episode at the school house had ever
happened AS time passed both the tender
cess aud the regret grew. She cherished a
sort of ideal with Jake's face and form.
10 c1ta 1,1
condemned in him before he went away,
Dutes which, worthy as he was, truth COM
,oddled the belief that he would come back
sure she would again feel the pressure of
lis hand and see the look of alteration in
his eyes. So she waited. Her friends.
wondered why she did not marry. There
we're many conjectures concerning her, but
never the right one. So little we know of
he real feelings Of those with when we
nay be even intimately associated!
Ten years had passed since Jake left the
1eighborhood. During this time there were
many changes Some of his early compan-
ons had married and were settled down in
20 staid fathers and mothers. A few of
both old and young had been laid to rest in
,he little country graveyard, where in Sum-
ner the briers and weeds kept watch over
heir graves, and in winter the bleak winds
sang dirges for them. But none that we
know were among these silent ones.
1t was September, and invitations were
sent out for Harry Ford's wedding. Rosa
Anderson was not to be the bride, but
Jake's sister, now woman of 20. Rosa
as among the invited. She was perfectly
Indifferent as to whom Harry married. She
lad long ceased to feel. anything but
interest in him. But she was
greatly agitated when she heard that Jake
was coming home to be present at his sis
.er's marriage.
A few days before the one on which the
was to take place an item of news
in The Morning Star, the princi
pal paper of B, the county seat. 1t
read something like this: "We are glad to
be able to chronicle the fact that Mr. Jacob
Baily, formerly of this county, but for the
last ten years q resident of s., KAN,
has formed a partnership with one of our
prominent lawyers, Barnabas King, Esq.
Mr.. Baily's past record is an enviable one.
Our little city is to be congratulated upon
the acquisition of so handsome and distin-
guished citizen. We extend a hearty
welcome"
Rosa read this item and clasped her hands
in silent ecstasy. so joy" she thought,
che has really come and my waiting is over.
Will he call? All, perhaps he will be too
timid because of that deplorable action of
mine ten years ago. must explain to him
as soon as possible how have regretted
that. But it will come all right, l feel it in
my bones as grandma used to say when she
had a presentiment," and Rosa, leaning
her chin on her hand, sat long in medita-
ton, the while smiling softly to herself.
Jake did not call. The hour of the we'd
ding arrived, and with it the invited guests.
Rosa, not less lovely at 81 than at II, held
out her hand timidly to the handsome fel-
low Mrs. Baily proudly introduced as her
son Jacob. Mrs. Baily's hatred for Rosa
had died gradually as her son climbed up
fortunes ladder, and when he cams back to
her great mar she felt genuine pity for
that poor, misguided Anderson girl.
Could it be possible that this graceful,
intellectual-looking man was Jake Baily?
Rosa pressed her hand to her heart to still
the tumult there. Jake stopped to pick up
the handkerchief she had dropped in her
confusion, and after some polite remarks
passed on.
He treated his old friends afably and