Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-11-11
BILL HEMPSEY'S RECITAL.

When Bill Hempsey married Tai
Harwell there was great surprise in
the Nubbin Ridge neighborhood. Bill
was worthy of respect and was re.
Spected; he was worthy of confidence
and had been intrusted with a county
office, yet when he married Tai Har-
well there was heard, at every turn.
murmurs Of astonishment.
Tai was a beautiful girl, and was
much younger than Bill; her form, I'M
trained by any art, but with woods
like wildness of development, was of
gentle waviness, like the ripples of II
sun-ray catching rivulet.-
Handsome young fellows-Ned Roys-
ton, whose bottom field of corn WAS
this year the finest in the neighbor-
hood, and Phil HightOwer, who had
just built a new double lOghouse, chink-
ed and daubed, paid devoted court to
the beauty, but when old Bill came
along-old Bill with scar over one
eye where a steer kicked him years
ago-and asked her to marry him, she
shook off the miSchievOuS airs of the
beauty, took up the serious expression
of thoughtful woman and consented.
Bill owned little old log-house.
stuck up on the side of a hill, and
though viewed from the country road
it might have seemed a dreary place,
yet standing in the back door, Bill
could look down and see the wild plum
bushes bending over the crystal water
of the creck-could see green meadow
far down the stream and could hear
the song of the rain-crOw.
Several years passed. The gossips
reluctantly agreed that Bill and his
wife We're happy. that is. reasonably
happy. for the gossips never submit to
a complete surrender. One day while
Bill was away from home Ned Roys-
ton came to the house. Tai came in
when she heard footsteps, and upon
seeing the visitor stood wiping her
hands on her apron. She had been
washing. and a bubble of suds on her
hair, catching a ray of light, flashed
like a diamond.
You've about forgot me- hain't you,
Tal-NIiZ Hempsey?"
NO. how could | forget you when I
see you at church nearly every Sun
day: Sit down."
Yes, you see me- Ned replied, seat
ing himself, but as you never speak
to me l lowed that you had dun fer
got me-"
Il never forget a friend"
Much Obliged. You look tired; sit
down yourself"
She sat down. Ned continued:
You do good deal of hard work,
don't you?"
NO more than any other woman, I
reckon"
You do more than I'd let my wife
do"
Yes, all men talk that way before
they are married.
And some of them mean what they
say, Tailor Miz Hempsey"
But the majority of them do not"
II know one that does. Tai, If you
had married me you never would had
to work none"
You let your mother work"
Yes, but 1 wouldn't let you work. I
wish you had married me, Tai, for I
amt been happy single hour sence
you told me that you wouldn't, not a
single one. / ulster be fonder of per-
simmon puddin' than anybody, but I
amt eat marry one sense you lowed
that you couldn't marry me. Tell me,
Tai, air you happy?"
Happy as most women, reckon"
But most women amt happy"
"Mebby not"
A short silence followed; Ned twist
ed his hat round and round. Tai wiped
her hands on her apron.
''Tal-you don't care If 1 call you
Tai, do you?"
mo, l am not particular"
But you wouldn't let everybody call
you by your first name, would you:'
No"
'Tal"
well"
do you know what I've been think
in about ever sense l saw you at
meetin' last Sunday?"
How am 1 to know what you've
been thinkin' about? Hardly know
sometimes what I'm thinkin' about
myself"
would you like to know what I've
been thinkin' about, Tal?"
She sat twisting her apron; a cat
purred about the legs of her chair A
chicken, singing the lazy song of LAY
ing time" hoped up into the door
way. "Shoo," she cried. "The chick
ems are about to take the place"
But that amt got nothin' to do
with what I've been thinkin' nor about
you wantin' to know it. Do you want
er know?
You may tell me if you want to-"
"Sho' 'nuffT
Yes, if it amt bad"
''Oh, it amt bad" He untwisted his
hat, Strengthened it out by pulling it
down on his head, took 1t off, and, be-
ginning to twist it again, said:
I've been thinkin' that you want
happy livin' with a man that don't
'preciate you-hold ON now, let me get
through" She had moved impatiently.
Man that don't 'preciate you; and I've
been thinkin' that l would come over
here and-and ask you to run away
with me. Wait, Tal-please wait"
She had sprung to her feet. Just
listen to me a mint Folks uster
think you was happy, but they know
you amt now. Tai, please wait
minute. Tai. for Gods sake let me
explain myself. Say, wait just min
ute. You won't tell Bill, will you?
Oh, you won't do that, I know. We
understand each other, Tai, don't we?
Tai, oh, Tai She was fastening
down the slope towards the wild-plum
bushes. Don't say anything" he