The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-03-14

celebration following his election to
Office, "you know l love you. Will
you marry me9"
do you want me to, really Joe2"
You know I am in earnest, julie.
Will you, if your father don't objectG"
Eyes, Joe; but not for ever so long"
"Next Washington's birthday, julie
will you2 Say yes, please, julie"
Eyes, joe"
A little kiss sealed the compact made.
Neither thought then of the rough road
true love has invariably to travel.
The year was nearly up, and Wash
ington's birthday, the date Of the wed
ding, vas close at hand. Early in Jan
uary Joe rendered his annual account
to the auditing board and there was
much excitement when the report
gained circulation that the treasurer
was short six thousand dollars in cash,
Judge Marsh was worried. He and his
friends went over the accounts time
and again, but could find no error.
joe sJoutly maintained his innocence,
and at last the judge said in his i'm
patience something which stung Joe to
the heart. Even Jules expressed faith
in him could not heal the wound, and
getting together the amounts Of the
alleged ~defalcation he turned it over
to Judge Marsh as chief bondsman.
Then he suddenly and silently left the
town.
Troubles seldom come in single file,
and Judge Marsh just at this time was
appraised of the death of his brothers
widow and that his niece, another julie
Marsh, was coming to make his house
her home. The newcomer was about
Jules age and this companionship was
some consolation to her in her sorrow,
but she still grieved for the absent Joe.
The months flew by and the new
julie made friends as her cousin had
before her. In time it began to be
whispered that Rodney Conger, the
majors son, was deeply in love with
her and, indeed, the city paper an
nounced the possible engagement of
the couple. The major and Judge
Marsh aften spoke of the matter, and
one day the conversation led to Joe
Harmon. During that talk it was for
the first time suggested to the judge
by Maj. Conger to have an expert ex-
anime those accounts, as the major
said he might be a good lawyer but not
an expert book keeper. The result was
that the same paper published the
item regarding julie Marsh and Rodney
COnger printed a full account of Joe
Harmon's vindicatiOn.
1t the meantime Joe Harmon was
in the excitement Of money get
ting to drown his grief. He hungered
for some word from his old home and
had a news agent secure for him an &C.
casional copy of the Washington IndeG.
He charced to get the very copy con-
tanning his vindication, but his JOY
that was killed on the instant by
to see the item regarding
julie and Rodney.
An issue received some time later
stated in plain terms that the wedding
was to take place after the ball on the
coming Washington birthday celebra
ton. Wild with anger and jealousy,
the desire was instantly born in his
heart to be present at the ceremony
and confront the faithless julie.
At last it occurred to him that if he
could be present as the drum major he
would be sufficiently disguised. The
wedding day was to take place in the
hall just before the dance and he knew
the band would be there in full dress.
He acted on the idea and the day be
fore the celebration he reached Charl-
ton and from there was able to make a
satisfactory arrangement with the pres
ent leader of the band. For q con
sideration the man, a stranger to Joe,
agreed to make himself scarce at the
proper moment and let Joe take his
place, The scheme worked to a perfCc
ton and Joe stood at the head of the
band undiscovered and unsupported.
The signal was given AMI Joe waved
his baton, when the band struck up
the wedding march. In came the
bridal party, and Joe would hardly be-
lieve his eyes when he saw a stranger
and not his julie upon Rodney Con-
gers arm. From her he glanced at
the bridesmaid following with the
ard then Joe's bewilder-
ment increased. The music suddenly
ceased and Joe lost his grasp upon his
baton. Forward he rushed, startling
everyone by his impeUuosity.
"Jule! julie! oh, julie! is it not you
that is to be married? What does it