The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-09-07
UNCLE MATS FIRST LOVE.

Sweet Nettie Garnett was my school
mate, Most of them We're p~rettier than
Nettie. and dressed more stylishly; but
Net,ie's unconscious grace and sweet
disposition won the admiration and re-
spect of all her friends and almost put
me beside myself with love for her. But
because OF my extreme bashfulness l lost
many pleasant talks and walks with
Nettie, which opportunities We're gladly
improved bp Phil Clayton, who was my
friend and DESIGNATE, though how /
enyied him his plnce by Nettie's side!
One cloudy morning Phil brought
Nctlic to school as usual. but left her at
the school-room door, saying: ~ have
to go to the depot to-day to meet my
cousin, but if it SHOWS I'll call round
this evening" And it did snow, thick
and fast, all day long. School was dis
missed a half-hour earlier than usual on
account of the bad walking. 1t was a
half-mile out OF my way TO take Nettic
home; but what did i care! She was
clone, and l made up my mind to take
her home if it killed me. Fortunately |
had my umbrella. and, walking up 10
her rs she stood irresolutely on the step.
l asked her iii a trembling voice if /
might see her home.
THANK YOU" she said. looking for
all the world as if she wanted to laugh,
but it is so far out of your way that |
do not like TO trouble YOU
at is no trouble" ! replied, "and it
would really be too bad too let YOU un-
dertake the walk alone" And before |
knew it ! was holding my umbrella
over Nettie and was boldly wading the
snow by her side, with her little brown
hand in its crimson mitten tucked snug
ly under my arm.
] was supremacy happy and wished
the walk would never end, but blusllcd
and stammered every time she spoke to
me, and scarcely drew a long breath till
! had safely reached my own home. l
awokc the next morning with n deter
mination 10 conquer my horrid bashful-
ness. The snow had ceased falling
and the snow shovels had been along
early. This time | thoroughly enjoyed
my walk with Nettie, and was, after
ward. almost her constant companion,
Phil Clayton's pretty, saucy cousin be-
ing all. and more, than he could attend
TO. School ended at last and summer
came. | often went to see Nettit, and
in n boys careless, awkward way, paid
her compliments and helped her about
her work.
BY and by | was to start for college.
| did not like to do without Nettic, but
was anxious to show her what q mar |
could make of myself. | went over TO
bid her gool-5y that evening before |
left. and found her in the kitchen. wash
,,r ,I,a e,,,,,,ar lishny unl,ptnn,,} a.,
help her and we were soon through.
Il am going away tomorrow, Net
TIC" | remarked, carclessly, as we
walked in the moonlight.
80 soon?' she asked, raising her
brown eyes TO my face.
..Shall you miss mc?" asked.
Miss you! How could l help it?" she
exclaimed.
l was trying awfnlly hard to ask her
TO wait for me. but became confused.
and. hurriedly kissing her, went away.
When at home and safely locked
within my w room began stru,ting
up and down before the mirror. and
smoothing my downS upper lip with AL
the affection | might have smootheG
Net:ie's curls. I.think | must have re.
sembled q young peacock, and could
Nntt!c have seen me then how she
would have laughed ut NE for my as.
sumed airs and graces! was Away:
very humble and demure in her pres
cnce, hating myself the moment / was
alone for letting her '.come it oyer m,
So
| did not like college at first. The
professors were very strict with us. ant
we had to apply ourselves to books NOR,
than l liked. but in due time ! gradua
ted with all the honors and a very goot
opinion of myself.
When l arrived home l inquired FOL
Nettie ut once. No city belle ever spen
more time or care in making her tcilu,
chan l did that evening. | brushed my
teeth till my gums were sore: oiled an,
arranged my curls in the most beconi
ing style; waxed and perfumed M,
mustache; squeezed my feet into Il pail
of boots W. numbers too small for me
adorned myself in a suit of glossy hlaeI
b~roadcloth, black satin tie, n collar $,
stiff ! could scarcely bend my head
! diamond shirt-stads and s~leeve-buttons