The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-05-11
MY HORRTD NEIGHBOR.

time, an awkward, pale faced girl of four
teen, and bitterly regretted th,,t l could
no longer wander at will over the smooth
lawn, and ride Lady Gray through the
wide graveled roads. Nevertheless,
was watching with great interest the ar
rival of the new tenants, admiring the
wonderful furniture, when l heard a
sharp voice say:
"Hello, gawky! Where did you come
from?'
I turned, red with anger, and beheld
boy with eyes full of mischief staring at
me. He was about sixteen, broad and
rudy, with a pleasant face; but hated
him for calling me "gawky," and stood
glazing at him like little tigress. He
looked more and more amused as I be-
came more angry; but when he said
''Stare away, chick! Don't look so
scared. won't eat your 1, without a
moments thought, walked over to him
and deliberately boxed his ears.
He jumped back, astonished at the
sudden assault then, roaring with laugh
ter, leaped over the low stone wall and
disappeared. l sat on stone and
thought how dreadful it would be to
have that boy for neighbor.
The next day, while riding Lady Gray
down the road, met him. For mo-
ment we looked at each other, and then
he fell on the grass and rolled over and
over in wild fits of laughter. How an
CRY was! Even now l can feel the
blood rushing to my cheeks at the mem
DRY. never wore a habit, and as | was
very thin and angular, with large and
frightened eyes, no doubt l seemed an
odd figure on horse back.
For year 1 was miserable, and all on
account of that dreadful boy, who never
tired at laughing at my oddities; many a
time came home and cried with rage
But the next year he went to college, and
l was happy. l knew he would not be
back for five years, for his parents were
dead and his guardian had decided to
shut up the house during his absence.
When the five years had expired no
one would have recognized the thin,
frightened looking child of fourteen in
the rosy, saucy maiden had bee ONE.
William Weldon came home, but he no
longer ride uled Lady Gray and me. On
the contrary, he seemed to admire my
mare, and one day said:
"Shes good horse-no style, but she
goes well. How much would you take
for her?'
"Sell Lady Grayr' flung my arms
around her neck, tnrning my back on
the author of such a thought. He laugh
ed and walked away.
After that we saw each other very Of
ten, and quarreled almost as frequently.
William Weldon's way of laughing at
any and everything, without respect to
persons, never failed to arouse my ire.
The fact that he simply could not help it
did not render the popularity more
bearabe. Women are not like men in
this Respectively seldom hold jokes in
high favor.
Then sorrOwful days came to mother and
me. Our little store was fast diminish
ing, and we strove to add to it by sewing
for our rich neighbors. But work was
not plentiful, and too soon the time ar
rived when L realized that our home
must be given up, and what seemed far
worse, Lady Gray must go, too.
1 led my beautiful pet from her stall
one afternoon, and rode into the woods,
where l dismounted and sat on fallen
tree to think matters over. Next week
the auctioneer would come, and we must
leave our home and go to the city where
money might be earned The thought
was very bitter. and for hours | wept
with the passionate abandonment OF
youth. The sun was low in the heavens
when | rose to return.
Lady Gray! Lady Gray! Where are
you?" cried, not seeing my horse any
where. But she mad evidently gone, land
I must walk back.
was not troubled by her disappear
ance, for she could fiud her way home,
knew; BUTT was long tramp for me,
and mother would be alarmed at my alb.
sence. hurried along, and was so on
lost in thought again. On 1 tramped,
head down, eyes on the ground, until
suddenly l stumbled and fell over a
heavy root, striking my head with such
force that l became unconscious.
1t was dark when recovered Before
L. "a, nr,rl,n I1,..u,