The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-10-10
JOBS RUoE.

A New England winter scene-tht
hemiock forests all draped with ermine
fringes of snow-the bill and valleys
white as if they ", re coated with pearl
while from the farmhouse chimneys in
the grey thickeJs of leafless NAPLES
IN er the rocks blue spiral of smoke
went wreathing and urling up into the
-teely January sky, and lac sunset
reelected on the myriad tiny window
paues of the stern front made an
orange sparkle of brightness that sup
piled the otherwise Lacking clement OF
color to the frigid Landscape
Farmer Westerbrook had Just brought
in an armful of snow crustsd logs from
the wood pile at the north end OF the
house, throwing them down on the
ample stone hearth with noise like d
small earthquake, when Sibyl Harring-
ton started no.
Five o'clock! Oh, l hadn't an idea
il WAS so late. l must be- gong"
Allow me to accompany you Miss
Harrington
You Will 1t me see you home,
Sibyl?"
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley
both spoke at once, ami rose simultane
ously-but Sibyl shook her head.
Il would prefer to walk alone" she
said. gsily.
And about the sleighing party to-
morrow night?" said Max, anxiously.
III have half promisedCaptain II ere
dith, " said the village beauty, her lons
eyelashes dropping, and delicate shade
OF rose sutfusing her cheek
But, SibyI, thought it was an
understood matter between you and
me, three good weeks ago!' Max ex
claimed, with contracting brows.
Was it2 l am sure l had forgotten
itP'
Max was silent Captain VI rsdiths
smooth, softly lntoned voice filled up
the silence.
= exact no PROMISES, he said
gallantly, but Ii | am nOJ pnuGtudl To
the hour and the SpO. Mss Harrington
maY draw her own conclusIJn5.'
And Sibyl went out, ner light loot
steps making low, pleasant music on
the brittle snow.
Sne was very pretty, this gazslle eyed
New England damsel, with big blue eyes
turning TO limpid pucple whenever she
Was in the least excited; short hair,
hung in golden fringe over her broad,
low forehead, and the sweetest OF rosy
mouths, with three sentims entail dImpleS
on cheeks and chm Max Cruasley had
loved her ever since they We children
together, and Captain Meredith, who
had come down to pass the holidays
with his cousins. the WesterbrOoks, had
been caught in the meShes of that
bronze-gold hair and the interlacing
network of the lasheS that Overhung the
pGrple-blue eyes, and had prolonged MS
visit unto ia uary.
Upon my word, she's a regular
beauty" said the captain, and 1t S a
thousand 'pities she should be thrown
away on any Of the country pumpkins
who vegetate among these Wildernesses.
Job, you young william, are those boots
of mine blackened YETI"
Farmer Westerbrook's hired boy,
who had just come in TO warm his en-
purpled hands at the merry red blaze,
looked glum.
NO, they ain't,'' said Joe, brusquely.
well, what 5 the reason2
"'Gansc l amt 'ad time"
''See that you find time, then, and
that quick, too, said the captain.
And Jou glowered after him. as he
went gayly up the stars.
L Just wish l had the seTvin' of him
out, " said Job gloomily. 1t JOB do
this and job do that and Job,
where's the warm water, and 'JOD, what
the deuce do you mean by lettin' my IRE
go out2' as if 1 was his bond slave, and
not red cent has he guy me yet-nO,
nor so much as a pleasant world" l
If hn m
always"
"fou and are equally partial to
him. lob, /" said Max Crossley, laughing.
Il heerd him talkin' with Miss Sibyl
about goin' sleigh ridin' tomorrow
night. said Job, shrewdly. Il should
jes' like TO put Kicking Billy in the
shsfts-I would, if it want for Miss
Sibyl. He don't know nothin' about
horses, that there militia caprn don't"
The next night came-a night of all
nights propitious for sleighing expedi
tons and rustic loYe-maklng, the roads
deligh fully hard and well PACKED. and
glorious full moon shining down as
whitley as if rain of silver were delug-
ing the whole world!
Couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. JOB. where are the sleigh
btlls2"
"Duano," quoth Job, indiherently.
"Come along. my fine fellow" said
the capain, loosely, collaring Job and
marching him of in tho direction of the
old red barn under the hill. We don't
need any lantern in this bright moon
light, that is one comfort"
"Old Billy, removed for his kicking
qualities, blInked sageIy around at them
from his stall, and Tom, the little gray
pony, who was destined to figure in the
Gutter shafts-that night, set-up a low
friendly Whinny. as they entered the
big. frosty, fragrant barn. -,
"Where are the stairs23 demanded
the captain.
There amt none" said Job. cts
ladder y
up with you, then" said Meredith;