Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-07-16
SANS STRATEGY.
TIE STORY OF A GALLANT CAPTAIN WHO
WOoED AND LOST

VI SuOW covered logs from t1e
woodpile at the north end of the house,
throwing them down on the stone hearth
with a noise like a small earthquake,
when Carrie Brown started up.
Five o'clock Oh, / had no idea it
was so late. 1 must be going home.
ALLOW me to accompany you, Miss
Brown"
"You will let me see you home, Car.
re?"
Captain Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke at once, but Carrie shook he head.
Il prefer to walk alone, she said gaily.
About the sleighing party tomorrow
night, said Fred anxiously.
IL have half promised Captain Lo-
gan, said the village beauty, rosy tint
suffusing her cheek
But, Carrie, thought it was settled
between you and me two weeks ago!" ex-
claimed Fred, with frown.
WAS it? Pm sure had forgotten It'll"
Fred was silent. Captain Logan's
smooth, soft toned voice broke the 81
lence.
"1exact no promises, he said gallantly.
But if l am not punctual to the hour
and the spot Miss Brown may draw her
own conclusions. "
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, this brighteyed
New England damsel. Fred Jones had
loved her ever since they were children
together, and Captain Logan, who had
come down to spend the Christmas holi-
days with his cousins, the Hendricks, had
become so fond of those bright, blue eyes
and golden hair that he had prolonged
his visit into January.
"'Pon my word she's regular beauty"
said the captain, staring through the tiny
window panes at the retreating figure Of
Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at him,
as if he would have liked to knock him
over into the fireplace; but ne refrained
from any such demonstration.
"A beauty" went on the captain;
land it's a thousand pities she should be
wasted on any of the country pumpkins
who vegitate among these wildernesses.
Sam, you young william, are those boots
of mine blacked YETI"
Farmer Hendricks hired boy, who had
just come in to warm his purple hands as
the merry red blaze, looked glum.
No, they amt, F." said Sam Grossly.
We'll, what's the reason?"
Cause l amt ad time !"
"See you find time, then, and that
quick, too" said the captain. And Sam
glowered after him as he went gaily up
the stairs.
Just wish had the firm of him out, ="
said the boy gloomily. "It's Sam do
this and Sam do that and Sam, what
the deuce do you mean by lettin' my fire
go outT and not a red cent has heguv me
yet-no, nor so much as pleasant word.
l wonder if he means to stay here al
ways"
"You and are about equal in our love
of him, Sam, said Fred Jones, laughing.
II heerd him talkin' with Miss Carrie
about goin' sleighridin' tomorrow night,
said Sam shrewdly. I'D 'jes like to put
Kicking Tom in the shafts; 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.
81 say, Mr.. Jones, he resumed. "why
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.
mede he cared to have meddle with his
love affairs.
Miss Brown must choose for herself,
Sam," he said; and Sam went back to
his work, secretly wondering how a
young lady. gifted with ordinary sense,
could hesitate for a moment between
the captain and Fred Jones.
The next night came-a perfect night
for sleighriding expeditions and rustic
lovemaking, the roads hard and well
packed, and glorious moon shining
down whitley, as if rain of silver were
deluging the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather." said the
captain. "Sam, where are the sleigh
bells?"
Dunno" said Sam. There's them
old jinglers in the garret that used to be-
long to Deacon Joe Hendricks that was
in the revolutionary war, and there's the
two cow bells that Mary Jane might
scour up with ashes.
"Pshaw |" said the captain. "Do you
take me for Rip Van Winkle7 There's
pretty little string somewhere, for saw
them when Mrs. Kendrick went out day
before yesterday"
II hain't seen nothin' ON 'em," said
Sam stolidly.
"Come, come, Sam, don't make your
self out any stupider than you be by nat
ure. said the farmer, laughing never
theless, for the captains airs were fast
wearing out his welcome, and he secretly
sympathized with the much abused
Sam.
"Iguess they're out in the barn cham
Der. You better go with him, captain,
if you expect to find 'em-our Sans
dreadful thickheaded when he chooses
to be.
"Come along, my fine fellow" said
the captain, collaring Sam, and march
ing him off in the direction Of the old
red barn. "We don't need any lantern
in this moonlight, that is one comfort" "
Where are the stairs2" demanded
the captain as they entered the barn.
Amt none, said Sam, its a ladder. :"
"Up with you, then," said Logan-but
Sam shrank
Il wouldn't, not for $50" said Sam.
"Old John Kendrick hung himself from
the middle beam IA years ago, and
folks say he stands up there with . rope
| around his neck every moonlight night. "