River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-12-27


fear as to whether the chairman's hand
some daughter, the belle of the village,
had taken exception TO a Christmas token
he had sent her that afternoon by her lit
tie brother
Dorothy Flintis nature was as much in
direct opposition TO her name as her fathers
was IN keeping with it. While she was a
dutifuI and affectionate daughter, she had
a mind of her own and a keen perception
of the right and many Of her fathers
transactions. It grieved her deeply that
her father should be so merciless and
hard-hearted toward every one save her
self; for IL certainly was a fact that he
was utterly Indifferent 10 every one alike.
and. with the exception of his handsome
Dot, no one could exert the slightest infiu
ence over him.
Dots little brother brought home the
Christmas present for her intrusted him
by the schOOlmaster, and as Dot was not
IN the house, he opened il, as he said, "tO
see IL it's bettern minen
IL was merely volume of poems, nicely
bound IN blue and gold, and on the fiy-leaf
was inscribed.
"TO Miss DOROTHY FLINT: With best
Christmas wishes ofthe giver, JoB PIPPIN."
Old Mayor" Flint howled worse than
the wind hOwled around the ruins of the
/ deserted farmhouse that Job passed as
he tOiled through the snow. He was not
much Of a hand at writing; but, after
rolling his tongue over the outside of his
stubble-bearied lips for few minutes,
during which time he twisted his head
into positions which would make ii almost
impossible for ready writer TO see what
he was inditing, he produced the follow
Ing note:
"OID GOG-Dsdr sir: / beg leave tn give
yew the baIunts dew yew for skoOl teachin' ter
dat and trust yew ken dew better at Il sum
mers else ez / hev desided III fourgO your
sarvices ez teachur.
"Yore obedyunt Sarvint
EZRA ERAsTUs FLINT,
Mayer of Ciderburg."
This being done he placed it in an en-
velOpe, retied the volume, then inserted
The letter beneath the strings that bound
[ the package and sent his boy to summon
Job to the house.
Mayor Flint was at heart timid man,
I and after sending his boy on the errand
ne repente not having had him carry the
volume and letter as well He fOresaw
trouble IN the village, for Cog was well
/ liked and the villagers had a voice them
selves regarding who should be school
master. He could not tell, either to
/ job or the villagers. the true reason for
/ the dismissal; neither could he make a
/ truthful explanation TO Dot, for he feared
she nigh. demand the pedagogue's rein
/ statement, as she was always singing
praises Of his kindness toward his little
| pupils.
''Old Cog was a true gentleman with
all Of a true gentleman's nobility of soul.
Mayor Flint was not; but he was
I crafty and possessed keen intuitive per-
ception, and it was seldom he judgment
/ was far out Of the way. After due consid-
/ Grafton he rightly cOnJectured That Job
would read the note and believe Dot had
commissioned her father to return the
volume
/ 1t irritated the naturally turbulent des-
/ pot to think that the poor schoolmaster
/ had dared TO lift his eyes toward Dot
/ But he knew little of the teachers strength
of character. The mute Christmas token
/ was the only evidence he would have
I given to indicate that the poor and humble
/ mentor of the district school entertained
I toward the rich mans daughter any other
I feeling than that of the most profound rev.
| erence and loyal respect
Mayor Flint decided to be absent
when job should arrive. and rs left orders
/ that the parcel on the comfortable should
/ be handed the schOOlmaster.
| Job pulled and blOwed and kicked so
/ hard on the scraper outside the msgnate's
/ front door. that he was heard long before
/ he attempted 10 ring the bell. As he was
about 70 ring, the door opened softly and
/ Dot held out hand of welcome that sent
an electric thrill through the schoolmas-
ter's system when her little finger-tips
( touched his calloused hand. Job was an
IchabOd Crane in appearance. but his man
ners were those OF polished member of
the intellectual and refined grade in soci-
ETY., over which money is without infiu-
ence; so. externally, he appeared entirely
at ease in Dots company, yet. IL the truth
/ was known. his heart was fiuttering be-
meath bis vest like Gagged bird.
Here Is a Christmas present, Job,
made for you myself" said Dot, handing
him parcel, as he stood ready to depart.
aYOu must not open il until you hear the
Christmas chimes at midnight o, ! al
most forgot that, Father left it for you"
she added by the way of explanation 9" 1
presume it may contain another Christ
mas remembrance.
As she took the volume from the table.
Job watched her beautiful face, and when
their ewes next met his own told of his
smOthered passion as plainly as il he had
spoken. She trembled, blushed and hung
her head as she Innocently preferred the
package addressed to him by her father.
Job glanced at the package and started
as he recognized the volume through its
torn wrapper.
Mechanically he received the book, but
il fell from his nerveloss grasp. He es-
saved to speak, ard his tongue refused its
function. With one parting glance he
/ tottered through the doorway and along
I the path leading 70 the road, where he
+ caught glimpse Of the mayors scowling
/ face as the moon shOue on a window in
/ the second story of the house.
lie walked with head cast down, neither
T looking TO the right nor the left. he was
dazed He was like one whose reason was
I cIouded. II her ewes spoke the truth-but
no. his Christmas tOkenl Why did she
return il IL such was the easel And yet
no, he had even no right 70 think that 1t
might have been natural embarrassment
I through fear Of wounding his feelings by
I the return Of the book.
I .sHellOw. Cog exclaimed q familiar
voice. as the path was blocked by a form
I that was irrecog a Fable beneath its great
I coat and heavy mufier. .Hyer's a letter
I fur ger got outer the pust-ufis. Il got one
I fur tn ma'sm. tew. EFF yeou wsuter
7 wait I'll take We hum; but l gotter git
some Christmas fiXins fustn
The spe aker was the farmer with whom
I Job lodged The offer Of the ride home
/ was declined by job, who thrust the letter
I in , pocket and continued his walk.
'-Quee- cuss thet Old Cog Ruther
walk than ride en- SIGH er night ez this IN /,
Z Wouldn't keteh me walk a eff didn't hey-
ter, b'goshi Geel Ho-bah! Otter lang.
I there, yewF and he whipped up his horses
: 70 q faster gait and soon wideued the dis
I tance between himself and JOB
/ When Job reached the turn that led
I into the dark gap between the hills. he
paused and leaned on the rail ne Of q
/ short bridge that spanued the frozen
brink.
I Christmas Eve. Beautiful Christmas
I Evel He looked up 20 the SKY. Il seemed as
/ slough the stars were scofiag at him and
| tee sno--fringed trees nodding in dsrision.