Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-02-06
JACK TEMPLE.

years old.
He said the Bostona was the fastest
boat on the Ohio.
And | stood out for the Daniel Boone.
The Boone had given a 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 I
would have whipped; for although small,
I was active.
Shortly after we moved away to Wash
ington where my father spent one year
in getting a consular appointment which
he held for six years. Then we came
back to our village life. John Temple
was now a beautiful youth, strong
climbed, broad shouldered, with head
like a Greek god. To these physical
PROJECTIONS he added a charm of manner
as captivating to his fellows as to the OPP
positc sex. Underneath this lay tenacity
of purpose which made him invincible.
He was adored frankly by all girls of
the school of which | speedily found my
self a member. Among these he scat
tered his attentions according to his royal
MI
elated and grateful. Those who did not
patiently waited their turn
Although younger than the others I
held their barn yard acceptance of John
Temples attentions with silent scorn.
I'D hate to run after boy" was my
inward comment.
But was soon singled out as the one
he most delighted to honor. [ was
younger than the others. Thus might an
older boy play with child, for the years
had not greatly increased my stature.
But while the other girls sued for his
attentions [ only accepted them. That l
made no response encouraged him the
more.
When a 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 I 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 I was supreme.
AS | moved, his fate followed me.
When l achieved any honor, no one was
so proud as he. There was a stolen
word here, a 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 I show any signs of my con-
quest, although | was fully aware of it's
value IN the eyes of others. Never was
jealous; l was too confident, too as
sured for jealousy. often wonder now
II L cared for him then. do not know;
but do know that l lived and fed on
his preference. 1t may have been only
vanity.
For three years this lasted, deepening
constantly, and was a matter of general
comment at school. John Temple was
always matter Of comment. Dashing
girls from other towns came and bid for
John Temples smiles. He gave them
now to one, and now to another. Mean
While played tag and ran races, but no
one ever succeeded in winning away any
thing that was mine
care you going to marry Kitty Black
when she grows up2' one of the older
girls asked.
eyes"
: "Ill bet@you don't"
"Ill bet [ do. I'll bet you a gold
ring that when Kitty Black is eighteen
years old she will be my wife"
The school buzzed with his bet. I
was not supposed to know it. But 1
did, and gave no sign. Soon after was
sent to boarding school. My father had
heard with great displeasure of the affair,
and did not choose that such thoughts
should be put in my head. Then he
moved away from our old home. [ was
not back again until after had gradu-
ated.
1t was IN Summer-a summer of calm
starlit nights. The town was full of
young people who had put school behind
them, and now pressed forward eagerly
to taste the cup OF joy which life presents