The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-30

abilities, and predestined and immediate
success, once he received his diploma.
He was troubled with many doubts about
these things himself. He had been out in
larger world than Mapleviile considera-
bly, of late, and the circle of his knowl-
edge of men and things had been greatly
enlarged. He had retained his early hab-
its of close observation and self-commun-
ion, and had discovered much that led
him to mistrust himself. He was not
bright. quick scholar. that was certain.
Most others learned more readily than he.
and even those who were far beneath him
in actual knowledge, frequently had
glibness OF tongue and a prompt conf
dence OF manner that passed off for
knowledge, and, so lar as he could see,
answered every purpose about as well.
He had 80 little Imagination that if he
did not understand subject in it's minut-
est detail he got beiogged when he came
to describe it; but all liked Ira. There
was a quiet manliness about him, and a
simplicity that while it gained him few
vehement friends, made no rabid enemies.
He was generally understood to have q
reliable but not aggressive character; but
there were two persons, at least, In that
simple household who believed in Ira's
transcendent capacities and brilliant fu-
ture. Aunty thought it without exactly
saying so and Nancy thought it, and be-
ing Nancy, said so freely. She had treas
ured up several stories that she had read
or heard OF phenomenal successes among
young physicians and was always applv-
ing them to Ira, or else weaving some
similar romance around him that would
bring him fame and fortune.
One of her favorites was story that she
had heard Nv GtillruaIl fan nf cola
brated Ohio surgeon WHO had settled, poor
and friendless, in Cleveland, and had al
most starved to death BY lack of patients.
Finally, in despair, he hired himself out
as laborer to farmer near the CITY dur
ing haying time. One day a special train
containing some of the wealthiest people
of the city had been wrecked near the
bayfield,, and this young doctor was the
only surgeon that could be procured for
some hours. But he set broken bones
and bound up wounds so skillfully, and
was otherwise such a fine gentleman that,
through the means of this accident, he
became at once the most famous and pop
ular surgeon in the state. One day the
governor and other state officials passed
through Mapleville on a special train, and
ever after that it was settled in Nancy's
mind just about what would happen II
the excursion would only be repeated a
year or two later. when Ira would be on
hand to attend to the injured.
During these long evenings, and espe-
cially when Nancy, with much diduseness.
was unfolding her visionary schemes and
romances, Babe would have little to say,
but she was a good listener and was al
ways interested when Ira was talked
about. She had a wonderfully practical
| r.,sr1 onI haK 1ftt1a hrofp raI
many a financial difficulty that aunty
could see no way out Of Once. when she
was in her fourteenth wear, and their cir
cumstances were more gloomy than ever
before she had gone a little timidly TO
aunty and asked to be allowed to go to
work with Nancy that winter; for within
| the last two years there had been a small
knitting factory started in the village, and
when there were no boarders Nancy had
| continued living with them, but had
worked in tho factory.
Aunty had said mo, Babe. YOU must
60 10 school for awhile yet, anyway" and
she accompanied the words with such q
panied look that Babe never spoke 10 heI
about it afterward.
One night a new thought struck Nancy
Laura had been in and lras last letter
had been read 10 her-"Oh, Miss Davis
she exclaimed when Laura had gone
away. "it's come TO mo Jest as plain AZ n l
c! Why hain't we never thunk OF il
afore?" and she said slowly and with great
impressiveness: "Iry's goin' TO marry
Lsury Warren"
"Why, Nancy, you speak as il twas al
settled, said aunty; but smiling and act
ing as IL she was not overcome with ia,
novelty OF the thought; but Nancy hac
added new item 10 the list OF convic
tions, and she played upon that one string
all the evening. She was so taken NJ
with her discovery and the possibilities /
developed that she did not notice how
silent Babe had become until auntl
spoke, asking the girl what made her a
thoughtful But Babe didn't know; onll
that she was tired, and she had indee,
worked hard oil day.
"ltll turn out Jest as say" said Nancl
10 Babe; see " IL don't"
81 had thought OF IL before, said BABE
quietly; "but, Nancy, you seem 10 forge
that Arthur may step in and disarrang
all your nice plans" and she took he
lamp and went TO bed.
oval. ] never" exclaimed Nancy
That's fack What bo we a goin 20 d
with Arthur The problem was to-
weighty for her 10 solve all in one evenin
and she actually lapsed into silence bu
aunty kept on knitting with most good
humored. contented expression on he
iaoe. Finally Nancy noticed it. "Dea
suz, Miss Davis, most anybody 10 see yol
I'D think you had IL all settled, some
hc~w
Aunty slowly folded up her knitting a
n signal that il was time TO 20 to bed.
81 think, Nancy, that everything will
turn out for the best in the good Lord
own time :" and she smiled in that quic
way that told Nancy that there were n
doubts ian her own mind. Anyway,
won't do any good to get Worried over
now"
The hamlet Of Mapleville was improy
ing. The inhabitants were quiet, sl0'
people mostly retired farmers or thei
widows who had moved into it's peaceful
sha es, ITO crown youth OF labor wit
an age OF ease" and innovations wer
made slowly; but for numbe
OF years the farmers had bee
gathering large crops and gettin
good prices, in short, the people in tn
vicinity were growing richer. and they b,
gan TO take more pride in adjoining thei
homes and surroundings. The building {
the academy had infused more progre
sive spirit among them. A neat summe
hotel had been built. a small knitting fat
tory started, old houses had been repaire
and enlarged or built anew, and there Wa
! NJ, an;dauDic Of nainkinU and flower he'd