The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-12-19

TO the beach at Nantasket.
Thesea air wrought wonders in Annie
Harvey. Before three days had passed
she was flirting outrageously with
young Perkins of Boston, whose
mother had learned from Mrs. Sackie
by sharp cross-questioning the I'M
doubted reepectability lid est, dollars
and cents) of her charge.
Miss Harvey had also c~ondescended
to smile graciously upon her fellow
passenger in the Rose Stilndish, Mr..
Wallace, of Denver. But when that
gentleman invited her to ride, she was
engaged for the same pleasure with
young Perkins and his mother. Let
him make what advances he would,
Perkins was continually in the way +;
yet Perkins was, to use the plain but
expressive language of John Wallace,
ian Internal fool" still, none the less
troublesome for that.
But John Wallace was in love for
the first time in his life, and he was
not a man to let trifes and simpletOnF
stand long in his way if he could help
it. SO he persevered in his wooing,
and at last thought he might venture
to propose to that most tickle lady;
Annie Harvey.
Moreover, his business demanded his
speedy return, for he was yet too poor
to aft any long vacation. He found
Miss Harvey on the veranda, busy
with crochet, or some other feminine
employment. He invited her to ride;
prior engagement. Mr.. Wallace ex-
pressed his regret, for it was his last
day at the beach. That information
seemed to startle Miss Harvey, for she
at once laid aside her work, and saying
she would be happy to ride with Mr..
Wallace, went to her room to dress.
Ancient Hull has, or had, nineteen
lawful voters. Rotation in Office would
permit each voter to represent his dis
tinguished constituents in the General
Court of the Commonwealth Of Massa-
chusetts al least once in his lifetime.
The wise politicians of Hull weighed
carefully the probabilities and posi-
bilities of politics; and SO skillful did
they become that Boston, the concen-
trated centre of all wisdom, looked
anxiously for the returns from the
elections in Hull, saying, resignedly,
"As Hull goes, 81 goes the State"
John Wallace and Annie Harvey
rode over the long stretch of firm,
sandy beach from Nantasket to Hull
They talked of the sea-, OF old wrecks.
Minot'e lighthouse, and the white waves
forever dashing against its sides; and
John Wallace described his home in
far away Denver, the little city sur-
rounded by it's giant peaks, which, in
the clear mountain air seemed SO near,
yet we were many miles away The
lady was silent, thoughtful, reserved,
almost demure. So is he a certain
domestic animal when approaching
cream.
John Wallace told his story as all
others have told it, and it fell on will
ling ears.
But" said he, tomorrow at this
time I must be on my way to Vermont
to pay a debt Of my fathers. I am
mortgaged, and have been since my
childhood. When that is cancelled, l
can with honesty offer you my hand
and heart"
A little laugh followed. Ringing
out sweet and clear across the beach
came the bells of Hull, telling the
world around it was twelve o'clock.
''They sound like wedding-b bells, -"
said Miss Harvey, quietly.
"They do, indeedl" was the reply.
The old preacher was sitting IN his
door, his coat off, thinking dreamily
of his unwritten serm A vehicle
drove past, but he was still in the
clouds.
Twill you please step over to the
church sirG" startled the preacher from
his reverie; and he hustled on his coat
and hat, wondering what the gentle
man could want at the little old church.
When he found the old sexton talking
with a gentleman and lady. 1--WE
want you to perform the marriage
ceremony" said the gentleman to the
astonished preacher; and handed him
a card with the names of John Wallace
and Annie Harvey written on it.
The old preacher laid aside his hat,
and, brushing down his white locks,
walked to the desk, followed by the