Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-08-08
THE LINEMAN
Dy EMMA A. oppER.

IL" hoohah CouiuS suOuCeu
Sammy.
"Yes, sir, it's the lincmanl" cried
little Molly, in wild glee.
And their Aunt Eunice, who had come
to the door quickly and with heightened
color, saw Sammy's bare legs and Molly's
red stockings flying down the road.
"What is it, Eunice9" said Eunice's
brothers wife, Mrs. Abner Lane.
9Th children saw the lineman, MIR.
Miles, said Eunice, rather family.
"Do tell!' said Fiducia, smiling.
The lineman lived in the next State,
when he was not on the road. Two or
three times year he and his associates
passed through Ridgeville, inspecting
the telegraph wires, and repairing them
if need be, and he always put up at Alb
ner Lanes.
He was an old friend now; Fiducia
put out her best preserves for him, Alb
ner talked politics with him, and Eunice
-Eunice put on her best dresses and
rickracked aprons for him, and with
them sweetly- welcoming manner.
1t was more than remored that the
young lineman put up at Abner Lanes
because of Abner's pretty sister. Eunice.
The lineman arrived, with Molly on
his shoulder and Sammy grasping his
coat tail.
''Real glad to see you, Mr.. Miles-real
glad !" said Fiducia, warmly.
"Eunice!"
Then Eunice came and shook hands.
with a conventional observation mo
matter what, since it was family uttered.
and since the lineman grew red to his
blonde hair and struggled Intellectually
over his reply.
"Abner III be pleased enough" said
Fiducia "Much work to be done here.
you findl"
Considerable" said the lineman, get.
ting his anxious blue eyes as far up as
Eunice's collar button. ''Stoke's at
work already, down street."
''Have you shot any more wild turkeys
down home1" said Sammy, between his
knees.
"How's that little girl that had
measles and whooping- cough togethera"
said Molly.
"Real glad made that raised cake
yesterday! | recollect how you like it,
Mr.. Miles," said Fiducia.
Among all of which the lineman con-
trived to murmu7: "Miss Lane, you're
WE'LL" and Eugene to admit that she was.
Indeed, she looked so, with her bright
dark eyes and raised color.
Abner came just before supper. He
was not alone. The tall, stout, black.
haired, iorid faced-man who followed
him appeared to fill the doorway solidly.
Surprises don't come singly" cried
Fiducia. "Silas Baldwin! Mr.. Miles,
Mr.. Baldwin. A sort of cousin of mine, y
Fiducia explained to the lineman.
Mr.. Baldwin sent great laugh into
the room apropos of nothing, kissed
Fiducia, and took Eunice by both hands.
Blooming as ever" he said, with
blunt gallantry.
Abner was glad to see the lineman.
"You generally get around with the
grounding, don't you2" he said, not
POLITICALLY, but heartily, as he helped the
lineman to ham and eggs.
''Bcfore I'd stand being coupled with a |
ground-hog!n said Mr.. Baldwin joviallv.
He was one of those humorously jollv
persons who make irresistible Jokes,
keep roomful of people in good spirits,
and carry all before them without an
effort. All the Lanes liked him.
All. And for that reason the lineman |
did not like him.
Mr.. Baldwin-who, it seemed, lived
1--WE miles away, and had run over for
The fun of it-sat next to Eunice, and
had familiar and proprietary air.
'You get handsomer every day,
Eunlce, he avowed. "Dont know what
you're coming to-" The lineman had
thought SO, but would he have dared to
say it to Eunices Neverl "Now, I'm
getting old-old and fat. Too fat to be
real captivating"
The lineman agreed with him. But
did Eunicea
y s'How are you getting along over there
in your bachelors hall2" Abner inquired.
ooh, I'm lonesome as dog" said
Mr.. Baldwin, emphatically. s.Lone-
somer!"
He handed Eunice the biscuits, looking
at her. The lineman grew red and white
BY turns.