The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-06-16

dance at IIannt's Bend, to and from
which we We're pigoted by the cordial
but not prepossessing Mr.. Hank Hester,
= lanky youth with more legs and arms
than he could manage consistent with
good grace and becoming dignity. The
dance, ! feel sure. ranks among the
pronounced social successes Of that sea-
son. Warm as il was they danced rs
II dancing was religious duty. There
Rvere eight or ten mountain bellies pres
ent, all glorious in the splendors Of gay
frocks and bright ribbons. and three
times as many homely looking noun
tain youths. Mr.. Hester introduced Us
10 Miss Mary Jane Spivvens, robust
and muscular young woman. and then
left us to take his stand by the side of
the fair Miss johnson. At first Miss
Spivvens seemed To be suffering under
constraint, but under the influence of
Toms easy manner and speech her
tongue limbercd up, and she told MS
many things Of interest about the
mountain country. From her general
conversation we learned that some peO-
pie, not Miss Spivvens, however. be-
belle 30 them parts" Her remarks
about Miss Susie aroused Toms inter
est and she led him across the room to
present him to the alleged belle.
Susie was shy little creature. but
the one Of all the others that would at
tract attention. She was simply and
befittingly clad in plain white frock.
that. although loosely made, revealed
the grace of her figure. Her gold
brown hair was caught at the back and
fastened by ribbon and then allowed
to fall in a wavy mass upon her shout
ders. Her face was whittier than the
faces of the Others. and two bright
crimson patches burned on either cheek.
Her words, her manner. her general
appearance were those of the noun
tain. but there was subtle charm
about her for all that.
All this noticed from my post across
the room from her. and / noticed. too.
that Tom had grown quite animated
and was telling her story Just as he
would have done if she had been of his
own circle. Tom danced with her, not
once. but many times. He missed two
dances. the two danced with her. lie
called me over and presented me in a
very formal manner She and Tom
were already on good terms, md she
laughed immoderately at everything he
said. whether it was funny or not. She
looked up into his jolly face with an
expression of confidence and trust
Hank Hester came over 10 me with a
puzzled look.
"Hc's a-makin' love to Susie fit To
kill" said he. ''and she seems to like it.
1t 'ud be awful tough if he was to cut
Sim Ridgely outen her. They're en-
gagged. you know
He pointed out very miserable and
disconso late-looking young man who
was narrowly watching Susie and Tom
with the remark that "Sim pears to b.
a-takin it purity hard already
When the dance was over. l heart
Tom whisper to Susie and ask II h'
might walk home with her. A look o
pleasure swept over her earnest face.
Il came with Sim-I mean Sim Ridge
w. she said, half apologctically. "an'
he'd be mad il left him. Next tim
you may go, and won't you com
round? We live about half way 'tweel
the Hesters and the station" Ton
promised that he would be around, AM
as we walked home that night he wa
in iubilant spirits and told me that h
would have picnic now, that he hat
found his mountain maiden.
The next day we saw Susie at church
looking even more charming than oil
the night before; and Tom walked HON
with her. much TO the evident discom
fort Of Sam Ridgely.
After making Susie's acquaintance
the days seemed to pass easier for Tom
, He was with her nearly every day
managing in his ingenious way TO fin
! an opportunity to call or meet her some
where Tom has the happy faculty 9
making himself the friend of nearl
E everybody with whom he is thrown
and he was soon friend of the Rich
, etts family and u welcome and pri,
LEGGED visitor at their home. Ever
night Tom would tell me of the prog
: ress he was making in his suit 70
: Susie's favor.
: II haven't got to the point of propo
! ing vet" he told me But you ju'
! | give me time and III doit I'll Ju'
| make Mr.. Simeon Ridgely sorry heev
, was born. and then We'll go quiet
). away. and soon after we are gone She
q forget me and marry Simeon and liz
i happy ever afterward. Its some dive
/ sion. anyway"
y The picnic at Haunt's Bend was II
event OF our summers stay in that Sc
1 ton. People gossiped great de-
e when Tom disappeared with Susie al
}. heard many such remarks as 'th
: dudish town Teller hev laid Sim Ridge
d In the shade with Susie" Tom didn
: give the wrctchcd Ridgely single IN
l. mcnt ut Susie's side during the entil
g day, and the poor fellow could not co
e ceal his jealousy and disappointment
n That night he called on Susie and b
p gan TO chide her for her ficklcness. y
,e flushed up and made sharp rcpl
Simeon, very much hurt and qui
!. heartbroken. said:
4 IAN right, Susie. go an marry u
!. Teller from town. You're tired Of m
A. an kin see II. Don't let me stand
!. the way. Susie. You amt mine, .
m:..~o ...~,, cx.al him h,ff i