Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-02-13
JACK TEMPLE.

My first plquant encounter with Jack
Temple was when I was about seven
years old.
He said the Bostona was the fastest
boat on the Ohio.
And stood out for the Daniel Boone.
The Boone had given dinner at which
my father and mother were invited,
while his were not. On these facts we
each based our conclusions on the COM
parative speed of the different boats, and
tooth and nail rolled over in the dust to
maintain them.
We were picked up variously by old
Cerberus, who was picking his banjo at
one end of the hotel gallery, and by a
journeyman shoemaker and telegraph
operator playing chess at the other end.
This they did with divers words of
scorn at the kicking boy. To this day
believe that if we had been left alone
would have whipped; for although small,
l was active.
Shortly after we moved away to Wash
ington where my father spent one year
in getting consular appointment which
he held for six years. Then we came
back to our village life. John Temple
was now beautiful youth, strong
limbed, broad -shouldered, with head
like Greek god. To these physical
perfections he added charm of manner
as captivating to his fellows as to the op-
posite sex. Underneath this lay tenacity
of purpose which made him invncible.
He was adored frankly by all girls of
the school of which l speedily found my
self a member. Among these he scat
tered his attentions according to his royal
pleasure. Those who received them were
elated and grateful. Those who did not
patiently waited their turn.
Although younger than the others
held their barn-yard acceptance of John
Temples attentions with silent scorn.
sd hate to run after boy" was my
inward comment.
But was soon singled out as the one
he most delighted to honor. l was
younger than the Others. Thus might an
older boy play with a child, for the years
had not greatly increased my stature.
Eut while the other girls sued for his
attentions l only accepted them. That l
made no response encouraged him the
more.
When class was called John Temple
always went out first. As he walked by
me he would say, and he had teacher
defying way of talking under his lips,
"Kitty, come and sit by me-"
There are plenty of ways in which
school boys can show their chivalous
consideration for girls, and these John
Temple always showed to me. 1t was
thoroughly understood that / had a
champion; that there was always some
one looking out for Kitty Black. As I
was not permitted to SO to parties where
there were boys, an arena remained
where John Temple could be contented
for by Others. At school Twas supreme.
AS l moved, his fate followed me.
When achieved any honor, no one was
SO proud as he. There was stolen
word here, pressure of the hand there.
When we played, and no one was SO
needless and reckless as I, protecting
arm always stood ready to keep me from
harm.
Never did show any signs of my con-
quest, although was fully aware of its
value in the eyes of others. Never was
I jealous; I was too confident, too as
sured for jealousy. often wonder now
if cared for him then. do not know
but / do know that I lived and fed on
his preference. It may have been only
vanity.
For three years this lasted, deepening
] constantly, and was matter of genera
comment at achool. John Temple wai
always a matter of comment. Dashinl
girls from other towns came and bid fo
John Temples smiles. He gave then
now to one, and now to another. Mean
while I played tag and ran races, but nj
one ever succeeded in winning away any
thing that was mine.
'sAre you going to marry Kitty Blacl
when she grows up2" one of the olde
girls asked.
"Yes."
"I'll bet;you don't"
'I'll bet l do. I'll bet you gol'
ring that when Kitty Black is eightee
years old she will be my wife,"
The school buzzed with his bet.
was not supposed to know it. But
did, and gave no sign. Soon after I wa
sent to boarding school. My father ha
heard with great displeasure of the affair
and did not choose that such thought
should be put in my head. Then h
moved away from our old home. 1 wa
not back again until after l had gradr
ated.
J 1t was in summer-a summer of cali
starlt nights. The town was full {
young people who had put school behin
them. aud now pressed forward eagerl
/ 70 tho Of io,r ,srhich Eff q m