The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-06-30

own turnout, yer mind, kids. Then little
cloud KEN up, somehow, at sight of ZEN,
and | see it settle over my dear teachers
Watchin', wistful eyes; and l filed a vow
on top o. tother one that I'd just go right to
her and tell her my 'pinion o. them two
lovers o. hern. Seemed like she didn't have
nobody to tell her nOthin', or she'd anever
wasted no time on that hifalutin' dandy
" course her ole aunt were allus a trapes-
in along with her-a Wilhelm and goin' on
ridiculous; but she were worse than jest
nobody at all; Sides knowed she druther
have the curly man, any day, fur his looks.
The Wintry woods was cool and green
and chuck full o. dancin' lights and shad-
ders, and the air in it were sweeter than
the lovely stuff on my teachers Sunday
hankychiff l breathed so deep, kids, that
most got tipsy on the smell O. the spicy
woods wanted ter yell, and howl, and
roll over and over in all the loveliness.
And l does roll over; and cause the air
was so cool, and the shadders so deep, and
the grass so soft l falls sound asleep And
when gets ter dreamin' 1 thinks hears
her a tall5in' soft and quiet like-and
arguin' this away and that; and will you
b'leeve me, fellers, when opened my eyes,
10, if they weren't somebody tall1in' right
on the opposite side O. the big tree l were
layin' under-and 1t were her voice!
1T is true l heered her sayin, cit
is true that | have known you for quite
while, Mr.. Montressor, and that | have
every reason to think you are an upright
and honorable gentleman, but the question
you have asked me is one that | can not
answer, l fear, without giving you pain"
''Ah, do not say that Miss Wintry ~
kids, it were the curly man holdin' forth.
Think how dark my life will become
without your sweet presence! All will be
blank to me, and my heart will be crushed
and brokenl Oh, Miss Wintry, / have
longed for this hour-I have lived in the
sweet consciousness that my suit was not
displeasing to you-that my love would
surely win love in return, and that ~
Fellars, | couldn't help it. / got so scairt,
fearin' she would up and lissen apprO. i'm
ter that perty speech O. his'n, that l Jest
gave one awful yell like lnjun in a fiji
My yell had two twin echoes-Mister
Montressor and Miss Wintry stscreeched
like all possessed, and the curly dude
fore he got the right lay O. land axshul-
ly struck out and run! l crawled round
through the green ferns and grass to
where she were a sittin', and axed her
pardon fur scarin her, humble enough; but
she jest laughed hearty, and put her dazzlin'
white hand on my red top knot, and says:
" | thank you, Jim; you have done me a
great service!" and laughed again.
Miss Wintry,' says 7, a kneelin' close
beside her dress of perty white stuff that
was layin' like foamin' pillows all round
her, Miss Wintry, don't lissen to that
man no more; he hain't with one sweet
glance o. yer perty eyes. Turn yer ten
ton to one who loves yer as the flowers
loves the dew-one who is as inherent and
back ard as the vi'lets themselves, and who
wouldn't dare ter speak out his love like
that speechifyin' dandy, 'causeits too great
and holy and"
"Boy," and l heerd little tremble in
her soft voice, "of what are you speaking?
By whose authority"
Don't know what that means, 'um, but
Pm speakin' of my teacher Mister John
Gray
"And can not he speak for himself9" she
says, unconscious like.
"It seems as if he can not, 'um; and
"There-that will do. You are a good
boy and like you, Jim, and wish--I wish
that whatyou imagine were really true ~
And, Kids, she looked away off through
the wintry woods with soft mist in her
beeyootiful eyes, while her perty hand
smoothed my brow like the touch of
lovin' little white cloud. l think she
furgot US both fur minute or two, fur she
KEEP pattin' me and a talkin' soft to her
self: GAS f1owers1ove the dew-backward
as violet-and whyl Because-no, that
will not serve fer an excuse-this is the
nineteenth century and the man is-a cow
ard ~
who's coward. Miss Wintryp' says
l, jumpin' onter my feet.
"Your teacher, John Gray"
That's not true!' l says, stnng at her
words, yet not exactly understanding 'em.
He's the bravest man that ever breathed,
and you will have to say so before the day
is ended-you, Miss Wintry, who haint
half good enough fur him-no, ner no
woman that lives"
Kids, left her there with her face hid in
her hands-not cryin' but lookiu' like