The Wilmingtonian., 1886-10-02
Jobs Huse,


of smoke went wreathing and curling up
into the steel January sky, and the sunset
reflected on the myriad tiny windows panes
of the western front, made an orange sparkle
of brightness that supplied the otherwise
lacking element of color to the frigid land
scape.
Farmer Westerbrook had just brought in an
armful of snow-crusted logs from the wood
pile at the north end of the house throwing
them down OIL the ample stone hearth with
noise like small earthquake, when Sibyl
Harrington started up.
.'Five O'Clock Oh, hadn't an idea it was
so late. must be going"
"Allow me to accompany you, Miss Harr
ingtou."
"You will let me see you home, Sibyl?"
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley both
spoke at once, and rose simultaneously-bu
Siby shook her head.
II would prefer to walk alone" she said,
gayly.
''And about the sleighing party tomorrow
night ~ said Max an1iously.
Ell have half promised Captain Mere
dith," said the village beauty, her long eye
lashes dropping, and delicate shade of rose
suffusing her check.
''But, Sibyl, thought it was an under
stood matter between you and me, three
good weeks ago y Max exclaimed, with con-
tractipg brows.
"Was Itp am sure had forgotten it p
Max was silent, Captain Meredth's
smooth, softly-intoned voice filled up the
silence.
II exact no promise" be said gallantly
'but if am not punctual to the hour and
the spot, Miss Harrington may draw her own
conclusions"
And Sbyl went out, her light footsteps
making low, pleasant music ON the brittle
snow.
She was very pretty, this gazelle-eyed
New England DANIEL, with big blue eyes
turning to limpid purple whenever she was
in the least excited ; hair short, hung in a
golden fringe over the broad, low forehead,
and the sweetest of rosy mouths, with three
sentinel dmples on her cheeks and chin
Max Crossley had loved her ever since they
we're children together, and Captain Mere
dith, who had come to pass the holidays
with his cousins, the Westerbrooks had been
caught in the meshes of that bronze gold
hair and the interlaeing network OF the lash
es that overhung the purple-bue eyes, and
prolonged his visis into January.
Upon my word she's regular beauty"
said the captain, staring through the tiny
ind Of tha linn fnp ,,f
Miss Harrington.
Max Crossley looked quickly up at him, as
If he would like TO knock HIM over the hand
irons in among the logs but perhaps he
thought better of it, for he refrained from
any such demonstration.
"a beauty" went OF the Captain; "and its
thousand pities she should be thrown away
on any of the country pumpkins who vege-
tate among these wildernesses. Job, you
young william, are those boots of mine black
ened yetP
Farmer Westerbrook' hired boy, who had
just come in to warm his empurpled hands
at the merry red blaze, looked glum.
"No. they ain't," said Job brusquely.
"Well what's the reason?"
"Cause amt had time"
"See that you find time, then that quick,
too Y said the Captain.
And Job glowered after him, as he went
gayly up the stairs.
II just wish had the servinof him out, !"
said Job gloomily. "It's Job, do this, and
JOB, do that and Job, where's the warm
water p and JOB, what the deuce do you
mean by lettin' my fire go out p as if l was
his bond slave, and not red cent has he
guv me yet-no, nor SO much as a pleasant
word wonder If he means to stay here
always
"You and are equally partial to him,
job" said Max Crossley, laughing,
~ heerd him talkin' with Miss Sibyl about
goin' sleigh-ridn' tomorrow night" said
Job, shrewdly.
II should jest like to put kicking Billy in
the shafts-I would, if it warn't for Miss
Sibyl. He don't know nothin' abont horses
that there militia Cap'n don't"
And Job chuckIed.
81 say" Mr.. Crossley," he resumed,
"why don't you get beforehand with him
she's only dazzled like"
Max Crossley frowped slightly, honest Job
was not exactly the kind of Ganymede he
cared to have meddle with his love affairs
"Miss Harrington must choose for herself,
Job," he said and Job went back to his
work, secretly wondering low young lady
gifted with ordinary common sense, could
hesitate for moment between the Captain
and MIR. Max Crossley.
The next night came-a night of all nights
propitious for sleighing expeditions and rus.
tic love-making, the roads delightfully."- hard
and well packed, and a glorious full moon
shining down as whitley as if rain of silvel
were deluging the whole world
Couldn't be better weather." said the
Captain. "Job, where are the sleigh-bellsp,
Dunno" quoth Job, indifferently
"Thele's them old jiugers in the garret tha
used to belong to Deacon Joe Westerbrook
that was in the Revolutionary War, ant
there's the two cow-bells that Mary AM
might scour up with ashes"
'Pshaw ~ said the Captain, s'do you taxi
me for Rip Van Wrinkle There's prett!
string somewhere, for / saw them when Mrs
Westerbrook went out day before yester
day"
81 haint seen nothing on en- said Job
stolidly.
"Come, come, don't make yourself ou
any stupideI than you be by nature, j Job, "sai'
the farmer, laughing, nevertheless, for tn
Captains airs and graces were fast wearing