Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-06-17

and still continued their direful predic-
tions.
Sylvester Smalley took particular
pleasure in driving past the house, with
Nancy Maria Stubblefeld. to whom he
had transferred his attentions, seated
I,esde him in his spring buggy. But
10 one offered helping hand, and
Amnr nth was beginning to feel II
tremor of despair, when something
happened which no one-certainly not
Authenticated ever dreamed would
come to pass.
1t was nothing more nor less than
the building of branch railway from
the Ozark lead and zinc mines to
point on the Mississippi River some
twelve miles beyond Pineyville Centre.
The nearest route, according to survey,
lay directly across one side of Amar-
anth's estate, and she readily accepted
the offer of 1900 from this mining con-
pany for this small portion of her
"wornout" farm land. But the tide of
prosperity did not stop here. Roger
Alden, the young surveyor who had
laid out the new railroad, suggested
Pineyville Centre as the most conven-
lent point for the smelling works to be
erected by the mining company. And
so the sleepy little village walked up
one fine morning to find itself in the
midst of most unexpected boom"
Carloads of lumber and other build
ing material soon arrived, and ere long
the sound of the hammer and saw was
heard in the land. Tents were put up
for the temporary use of the workmen,
but were soon supplanted by neat cot
tages Mercantile buildings and sup
ply stores followed. Streets were laid
out, churches and schoolhouses were
erected and the farmers who focked in
for miles around. tempted by this new
market for their truck" looked with
wonder at the fourishing town which
had sprung up like Aladdin's palace,
from the very wilderness. Adjacent
farms, which the owners would have
gladly sold for $40 an acre but short
time ago, now brought ten times that
amount.
Amaranth, though offered high
price, refused to part with her prop
erty on any terms. By the advice of
the young surveyor, however. she was
induced to lay out a portion of her
farm, fronting on the railroad, in town
lots, which were eagerly purchased at
satisfactory valuation, and the Brooke
addition soon ranked as the most de.
sirable residence portion of Pineyville
Centre
And Amaranth found herself if not
wealthy at least comfortably situated.
A stout hired man attended to the farm
work now. The worn-out meadows
and corntields were redeemed from
their impoverished condition. The an
tiquated COW was supplanted by small
herd of Jerseys. The decrepit horse
was ''pensioned off, on the latest of
pastures, while a span of matched
bays" drew the new carryall when
Amaranth or Mrs. Reuben and her
children took an airing.
The discounted relatives, who had
all but boycotted Amaranth in the dark
days, now discovered that blood was
thicker than water, and hastened to
make friendly overtures. And Sylves-
ter Smalley, who had not yet sue
ceeded in building on the paternal
forty acres, abruptly ceased his atten-
tions to Nancy Maria and cast longing
eyes towards the thrifty cornfields and
well-fl barns Of the old homestead.
Long since had he repented of his
short. .sightedness, and after some skill
full maneuvring he one day succeeded
in meeting Amaranth face to face at the
old stile.
She'd rose in her bonnet. and, oh! she
looked sweet
AS the little pink flower that grows in
the wheat,
and Sylvester felt that he must win her
at all hazards.
He advanced smiling and with out
stretched hands.
Did you really think I meant to
give you up, Amaranth?" he asked, re.
proachfully.
But she drew coldly back.
"Give me up? Certainly! You
gave me up long ago." she returned.
But didn't mean it! II own I
was fool, Amaranth, he stammered,
desperately; "but I allus intended to
come back an marry you. An tain't
too late yet. Only name the day an
I'm yours"
But Amaranth smiled as she glanced
beyond him to tall figure which was
rapidly approaching them.
Very much obliged, I'm sure" she
replied, demurely, "but I have promis.
ed to be Roger Alden's wife, and the
day is already named. Here comes
Roger now. Will you stay and be in
troduced?'
But with a disappointed scowl Syl-
vester skunk away.-Waverley Maga.
zine.