The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-11-26
Somehow the appear

WM/ glum and drear under
8S@ thepallid November sky.
sN Somehow the appear
ance OF things had an unusual effect
on the young lord and master OF this
domain, and he felt glum and drear
too. He stood on the front step OF
the little white dwelling which he had
built with his own hands, and leaned
against one OF the heavy door-posts,
scowling dismally s Mi FL
What a big, strong, handsome fellow
John Ellsworth was! 1t was odd that
henever m arried, being at least twenty
seven. He was just the man to win
all women's love, and there was so
much Of him to get lonesome. But
his life had been devoted to sterner
things than thoughts Of love; notwith-
standing his indomitable spirit and
his untiring industry, it had taken
him years, single handed and equip
ped as he was, to bring his Texas
home to it's present valu e. .>..:
While standing Illuminating at the
door Johns vision was greeted by the
appearance of Jessie Carell, the
''schoolmarm o. Sassafras," as some
called her, who lived at Colonel Blud-
soe's, nile to the north of Rose
ranch, and taught the Sassafras
school, nearly three miles to the
south. She passed Johns home, there
fore, every day, and sometimes he
joined her and accompanied her, to
the door OF the school-house. This
was when Cephas Bludsoe was not
along: ~.
She was sweet little woman; no
one could help thinking that.
Usually she rode a black pony on
her trips back and forth to school,
but on this particular morning she
was walking.
John frightened at sight of her, and
as she came up and smiled a greeting
he went down the path and took pos
session of her books and lunch basket.
CLOVIS it come you're walkin' this
morning." he asked, as they passed
down the road. "Where's the pony?''
"Doc got out among the range
horses last night" she answered, t'an'
l thought I wouldn't wait till he was
caught. l can stand walkin' to-day,
as there's no school at all to-mor-
row."
"Thanksgivin' -thet's so. But it's
too far fer you to walk, Jessie, I'll
see tibet you ride back this evening.
I'll have one O. my ponies down to
the school-bouse fer you"
"Cephas is goin' to bring Doc
down, he said.'' Her eyes fell as she
said this.
The frown returned to Johns brow,
darker than ever. He said nothing
for moment. Then he shifted the
books on his arm, and muttered
something to the effect that it ''might
sno W big for Thanksgivin'"
"Sister Carries comm to-day to
spend Thanksgivin' and a month
with me-" he informed her present
ly. = x a.
"Comin' from Ohio?"
eyes. "She'll get to Houston sta
ton on the afternoon train, an I'll
meet 'er." ~.-.t III.
"From all you've told me about
Carrie I think I'd like to see her. very
much" remarked the young school
ma'am, earnestly. j.
"Would your" said John. "Ill tell
you: s'pose you spend Thanksgiving at
Rose ranch, an Carrie'll getup rous-
in dinner for u.s."
"I'm sorry" she began, paused, and
continued: "I'm sorry, but l promised
Cephas to 60 over to Galloway's with
HIM tomorrow"
"Seems likeyou an Cephas are hav-
in good deal to do with one another
o. late" John muttered in a hard
voice. Then he added: "I've been
thinkin' o. you all mornin'" Judging
from the way he spoke this, it was
not unlikely that his thoughts OF her
had affected him more than the
weather.
~ hope you thought good things, !"
she said, pleasantly.
~ heard you an Cephas were goin'
to marry, Christmas-times," he said,
abruptly.
She glanced up at him quickly.
tWho told that?" she asked. st
The subject was suddenly dropped
at this point. Cepnas Bludsoe came
riding UP. and blusteringly saluted
them.
GLOOMY day, amt it, Ellsworth
he remarked. "Hope it won't snow
afore I get back from the station.
Coin down to-day, john" ST
ITO the station? Yes, this after
noon" John answered quietly.
'I'll see you there, maybe
"She didn't deny it," he muttered.
II reckon it must be so.'
That afternoon he went to Houston
station, which was q good eight miles
from Rose ranch, and when the tram
from the north came there was Carrie,
as radiant and gladstone as Of old.
As the two started in the little
spring wagon for the ranch, John no
ticed Cephas entering the stations
liquor resort in company with two
young fellows who were notorious
l .--l H. Il =. 4 I Il II ~