The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-01-23
SAM S STRATEGY.

Farmer kcndrick had brought in mn
armtul OF snow-covcrcd logs from tho
woodpilc ut tho north end OF tho house,
throwing thomdown on the stone hearth
with a noise like u small earthquake,
when Carrie Brown started up.
Five O'Clock! Oh, l had no idea it
was so late. l must be going home"
ALLOW me to accompany you, Miss
Brown"
rie%
I Captain Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke at once, but Carrie shook her
head.
y prefer to wall; alone" she said,
Sayly.
night% said Fred, anXiously.
III have hall promised Captain
Logan" said the village beauty, and Il
rosy tint sulrnsol her check.
"But, Carrie, | thought it was settled
between you and me two weeks ago."
exclaimed Fred, with n frown.
WAS it? Pm sure l had forgot
zen it." H
Fred was silcnt. Captain Logan'a
smooth, soit.toacd voice broke tho ST.
lcncc.
~ exact no PROMISES" no said gal
lHntly, "but if l am not punctual TO
tho hour and the spot, Miss Brown may
draw her own conclusions.
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, this bright-eycd
New England damscl. Fred Jones had
loved her ever since they were children
together, and Captain Logan, who had
come down to spend tho Christmas
holidays with his cousins, the Ken
bricks, had become SO fond OF those
bright blue eyes and golden hair that
he had prolonged his visit into Janu-
ary.
"Pon my word, she's n regular beau.
ty," said the captain, staring through
the tiny wlndow-pancs at the rotreating
figure OF Miss Brown.
Fred. Jones looked quickly up at
him, rs ii he would have liked to
knocked him over into tho fireplace,
but he reirained from any such demon
stration.
"a beauty" went on tho captain,
land it's thousand pitics she should
be wasted on any OF the country bump
kins who vegetate among these wilder
ncsses. Sam, you young villain, are
those boots OF mine BACKED YETI"
Farmer Hendricks hired boy, who
had just come in to warm his purple
hands at the merry red blaze, looked
glum.
mo, they amt" said Sam, Grossly.
"Well, what's the reason?"
"Cause l amt 'ad time"
$50 you find time, then, and that
quick, too" said the captain. And Sam
covered after him as he went gaily up
the stairs. ".
"Just wish 1 harthc firm of him
out" said the boy, gloomily. Its
Sam, do this and Sam, do that and
Sam, where's the warm water?' and
Sam, what the deuce to you mean by
lettin' my fire 80 outT and not red
cent has he guy me yet-no, nor as
much as pleasant word. I5wondcr ii
he means to stay here always"
"You and l are about equal in our
love for him, SAM" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
u heerd him talkin' with Miss Carrie
about goin' sleigh-ridin' tomorrow
night" said Sam, shrewdly. I'D jes'
like to put Kicking Tom in the shafts !;
1 would if it weren't for Miss Carrie.
He don't know nothin' about horses,
that there militia cap'n don't" And
Sam chuckled. "a Z
II say, Mr.. Jones" he resumed, "why
don't you get beforehand with him !?
Miss Carrie don't really care for him ;
she's only dazzled like"
Fred Jones frowned slightly; honest
Sam was not exactly the Kind OF Gany-
medic he cared to have NEEDLE with his
love affairs.
"Miss Brown must choose for herself,
Sam," he said, and Sam went back to
his work, secretly wondering how q
young lady, gifted with ordinary sense,
could hesitate for amoment between
the captain and Fred Jones.
The next night came-a perfect night
Tor slcighing expeditions and rustic
love making, the roads hard and we'll
packed and a glorious moon shining
down Whitley, as il rain OF silver were
dcluging the whole world.
Couldn't DO better weather." Said
abe captain. "Sam, where arc the sleigh
bells?;'
Dunno" said Sam. "Thcrc's them
old jinglers in tho garrett that used to
belong to Deacon Joe Kcndrick that
was in the revolutionary war, and
there's tho two COW bells that Mary
Jane might scour up with ashes"
"Pshaw!" said the captain. "Do you
take me for Rip Van Wrinkle? There's
q pretty little string somewhere, for 1
saw them when Mrs. Kendrick went
out day before Yesterday
81 hain't seen nothin' on en-" said
Sam, stolidly.
"Come, come, Sam, don't make your
self out any stupider than you be by
nature" said the farmer, laughing
nevertheless, for the captains airs were
fast wearing out his welcome, and he
secretly sympathizei with the much
abused Sam.
~ guess they're out in the barn
chamber. You better 60 with him,
captain, ii YOU expect to find 'cm-our
Sans dreadful thick-headcd when he
chooses 10 be-"
"Come along, my fine fellow" said