The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-07-16
us,s f ali IN Ix.rennr Pove-u Govt Report Aug II, 1852
@!a':!!! e! Bssies Bsxd:ss
ABSOLUTELY PURE
SLIM DISMAL.


steadins = quarter section OF dovernmens
land which lay 10 . newly opened district
upon The line Of the Northwestern Rail-
road. which was pushing its way to the
Black Hills. As oil Western settlements
do now,s days. our little town grew mp.
I. il were, like . mushroom 10 the
night
Settlers sbanties and sod houses dotted
every section OF the surrounding country.
inh.biied by good. pesceAbls and intelli :
gent pioneers Our nearest neighbor. .
bachelor named Alfred Brown, was hold
ing down the claim adjoining ours. While
the msjori,y of the settlers were from lows
Missouri and other more adjacent East
ern" States, Alfred was . genuine wsyback
from sonew here 10 the rural "districts OF
New Yok,". His complexion was some
thing like half ripe pumpkin. and be-
csu.e OF bis slender. csdaverous body, and
his peu.ive, melancholy air, mother, who
had keen sense Of the ludicious, gave
him the sppellstion. used only among our
selves, OF Slim Dismal,
He was always very kind and neishbor'
ly, aud as be possessed good team, he
often assured us that, "Twan't no trouble
at ell TO haul our wood from the ridge. y
aud be .'could Jest as well fetch our mail
from the postoiiice as not" and do great
many other "srrands" for rs "bein' as We
was lone wimmen," all Of which we fully
appreciated He often brought us vegets
bles from bis garden which was far super.
ior to ours. and il can close my eyes now
and See him coming over that hill. think
ing nothing OF walking mile and back
again to chat awhile in the early summer
evening after his dishes we're washed.
When seated. he invariably occupied
mothers low sewing chair, and with his
knees at q sharp angle. his hands folded
across bis stomach 10 regular Miss Nan
cy attitude, be would rock solemnly to and
fro, and rehearse TO us tales oi his bring.
in up"
As 1 was very desirous OF helping my
mother to "prove up" on our land. and as
bad already taught one term Of country
school "back in Iowa" l determined TO
apply for the position OF teaching in one
Of the new districts just forming. con
hded my ideas to Slim, and, with his us
nal kindness. be at once interested himself
in my behalf, by presenting my name to
the Board OF Directors; aud the result was
that in few weeks l was Aourishing the
ferule over . half dozen boys and girls,
in little sod school house, two miles
from home.
One evening, at the close OF my fret
week. as / vas going home, ! suddenly
encountered Slim, apparently on bis way
from somew here, and, as matter OF course
we walked along homewsrd together. The
evening Was beautiful. The level sweep
OF the prairie, dotted with hsbitations the
vivid green OF the grass. 10 bright con
trast with the dark patches OF breaking; !
the long rows Of young corn, the bright
dashes OF wild flowers. and the great no
broken distance which gave such .iumen
sity to the landscape would have inspired
the soul Of IN artist. As we reached the
summit OF . little elevation. our own
bones beautiful and serene 10 the sum
light, lay before us. Sims eyes glistened
with delight as he looked down upon
them
Wouldn't them two places. put toge'
ther, make q foe farm. though? be eIclsim
ed eagerly
Indeed they would. replied innocent
Ily We will have some lovely hours here
some day. when we get some trees sIgrov
ing and good buildings
As We neared my home. Slim paused
suddenly. took step nearer me. and, 81
locked up wonderinely, be caught one
Of nv hands 10 bis. drew back, some
What alarmed.
Nov don't be skeefed o me. be said
In such an assuring tone that | becsmt
all the more bewildered. jest want tc
ask you, May. II you will sssep, my com
p'ny.
Do what? exclaimed.
Assepi my comp'ny Let me be your
beau. au' take you around to dsnces snc
ncb
Bu, dou't dance. answered IS calmly
a. could
Well. you could let NE CONS an se,
you. You're the oniy woman ] ever se'
tbs, Id give . rap Tor
Bu, you do come 10 see Us nov, when
ever you sish. dont your
Yes. bnt you sse. Id like to come :
spsrlin Sunday nights. regular. yo'
koov. aud 'set up
u.uIed 10 scream. The Tie. of set
,ios up Sunday nights. snd stlh biml !
-. With difficulty that | susseted With
.,,.,sLi face. Ikue~ bis intentions ser
houest and si1cere. snd did not Wish
bur. his feelings by laughing. bu, u sect
% ed .lmo.. in npos.ibls to bold 10. ! mans
sed, Lowsver. 10 spesk siih 40 sssp"P
tioa Of careless good hnmor.
Ali fidlestisks. Alfred, you don tust
10 do soy .oeh thing; spd. besides. | hs'
no time for bssuI. 90 don't t.lk spy MOI
: nonsense, ba, come along bone. Mo'h'
vill Lsss supper waiting snd ! am hu'
a sfy,
y He came slons. Waking 1stifny - d
nincios ssi, would allow, bat spoks r'
another word until vs reached home.