Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-06-09


dress. with flowers In her hair. and knot
Of red ribbon at her throat that bcauti.
fully matches her cheeks Tho old road
brings no sad memories 70 her. but calls
mp sweet dreams Of future happiness.
Supper comes &C sundown-a feast Of
crisp fried meat. hard biscuits and bittes
black coffee Even these were palatable.
however. after long days ride through
those desolate pine wilds. and Mr Stubs
Invitation to set up and eat hearty" was
eheerfuily accepted BY the traveller
soonies beau came In during supper. q
fuzzy faced. silly looking young fellow.
who went quite Oh his head at tho sight
Of the stranger and could only giggle and
look more foolish than ever.
In Soonie's eyes. 81 viewer. no was owl.
IDENTIFY very precio&S piece Of humanity.
though she cast many pleasant looks TO-
ward the guest.
A soon as the supper things were
cleared away Mrs Stubs fixed the
beds. and instructing the traveller TO lie
''along with the old man. she and Soonie
left the room
"You kin sleep In here with me-" said
tho old man. rubbing his bare feet on the
door and tumbling into bed with only 90
much preparation as hog might take.
and was soon snoring frightfully; this
effectually banished sleep so far a. our
traveller was concerned. In o few mo-
meuts tho ladies' came back into the room
and Mrs Stubs turned In.
Soonic and John Henry were now lef,
alone before tho great fireplace. she stand.
Ing on one side Of tho hearth nervously
toying with china cup and saucer Of
gaudy pattern. her only treasure except q
faring chrome Of Joseph and His Broth.
rem" which hung on tho wall. while hs
chcwed vigorously and expectorated freely
to tho imminent risk Of injuring her Sun.
day dress. How silly and frightened hs
looked as Soonie. seating herself. began
Idly picking at her frock. blushing Wv
Idly. and left the opening Of tho even.
lng's exercises entirely with him.
saw mighty big chicken eight up tel
the store this even'n'. huh. huh. " said he
Ibid you. hc-he: which whuppcdf'' said
she.
Tho leo was broken. and when the trav
eier again looked toward them their chairs
werc hopelcssly jammcd. and all outlines
were confused
1t may have been that tho presence Of
the handsome and well dressed stranger
prompted John Henry TO unusual boldncss
tonight: At any rate he was soon telling
his love In truo backwoods heroics II hs
was bashful and awkward. she was COY
and shy Perhaps she. too. us thinking
Of tho traveller and comparing Us easy
unstudicd grace with John Henri. seavy
numbering manner She held ba. Nant
hcsitated long before putting her pre- ~
into words \Ah
"oh. Soonic." he finally blurted out.
you likes me. and don't likes to say 30
just squozo my hand"
This appeal was probably Irresistible
for tho next moment there was quite q
reciprocity In tho hugging limo between
them-quito unanimous. In fact He,
heavy masses Of auburn hair hung ovcl
his shoulders. and her bangs werc al
mussed up with his carroty forelocks
while tho red ribbon at her ahroat and hi:
flaming nccktic were indistinguishably
mingled
Tho fro burned slowly out and was no,
rcplenishcd. but Henry staid until the
traveller. with many sad memories tug
ging at his own heart. drew tho cover
over his head and slept despite tho snor
Ing Of his strL..,e old bed fellow
| Whan he , ska s..arnlnv 4.
entire family had been long up The old
man was oil, feeding tho stock. Mrs
Stubs sat In tho doorway smoking and
looking down the lonely road thinking
perhaps. OF that fair. brave hearted boy
who 40 long ago went out that way u
'jine GUNNER Brown as the smoke
curled blue and lazily from her pipe
Soonic was making bread at . table few
feet from the bedside,
Good mawnin. sho said. with smil,
on her ripe red lips. which looked swee,
and tempting until he thought Of Johr
flcnry's tobacco stained mouth and shud
dered
You'd better DO gittin' up. /" she said
'brcakfas' Is most ready !"
Get up Il certainly was time 70 sc,
up. but how was that TO be donc with q
blooming and bright eyed young lady
looking calmly on at distance Of six feet
How he suffered as the time dew onward
and she loitercd about the table. and
would not so away nor turn her back upor
him The biscuits were all made and she
began TO set the table. calling him lazy
boy" and again telling him Il was time
=. sit up an wash.
A year later the traveller returned tina,
way
Half mile up the road he stopped ut I
new one roomed cabin. and In tho doorway
sat SoOnie with cob pipe In her mouth
and she was alternately knitting and rock
Ing white haired baby In tho piny
woods all the children have white hair A
dog inside the house growled heavily. but
was quickly silenccd Soonie recognized
the traveller and called her husband
John Henry came slowly into view from
behind tho house. elected a shower Of to
bacco juice upon u flower bed. threw I
well worn 'chaw" among the struggling
rose bushes aud said. all In one breath.
"Goodeven' --tollable-light. mister. -
Louis Calvert In Detroit Free Press