The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-30

conUelU SIJu JnC1T humble lot, apparently
caring little for things beyond the bounds
Of their tiny world.
On the night Of this Memorial day Uncle
Dan'l sat by the open cottage door and
smoked his pipe, the light of the setting
sun showing a troubled look on his face,
while Jennie moved briskly about the
room, attending to her light household du-
ties and humming a bit of a song.
All at once the old man removed his pipe,
struck it against the edge of the chair to
knock out the ashes, straighted up and
cleared his throat, speaking with an effort;
Come here, little one"
She approached, Il wondering look IN her
face, for she saw by his manner he had
something serious to say. He took her hand
and pulled her down beside him. She sat
on the floor, resting her arm on his knee
and her head on her arm, while his once
sinewy fingers sought her curls, which the
last slanting bars of sunlight made bright
with a golden tinge.
The mar hesitated about beginning, but
suddenly plunged into his subject in an
abrupt and awkward manner
YOU'RE gettin to be purity nigh a wom-
an now, Jennie, and l know it amt long
before you'll be thinkin of gettin married.
It's natteral-it's MATERIAL. Hope to see ye
tied to some good man ere / go to join my
comrades who have been mustered out be-
fore me, which time can't be fur away"
"Oh, Uncle Dan'lr she cried in genuine
distress. "Please don't talk of that"
"I've got to talk ofit," was his stubborn
retort. Something l saw today makes me
feel it's needful and right. Ny old eyes
amt so sharp rs they Lsed to be, but they
saw that young Nat Bring looking at ye,
little one, in a way that meant n pile-and
them same eyes saw ye blush. That's why
l feel it's needful to talk now, for | want to
warn ye ag'in any one with the Loring blood
in his or her body. Keep clear of that young
man, Jennie"
"What have you against Nat Loring,
uncle9n
He's the son Of n man who slept at his
post and was condemned to be shot"
But was pardoned by the president be
cause of his faithful service and splendid
record as n brave and loyal soldier"
The old mans face darkened and became
still harsher. His voice was not steady as
he cried:
'That sounds very well, but let me tell
ye there was n wonderful influence brought
TO bear on the president to obtain that par
don, or John Loring would have died the
death he deserved. His son is q chip of the
old blockl Don't let him fool ye, little
grill He has money, but there is PREACHER.
GUS blood in his veins, and why should he
as he can have the pick of the young ladies
in the v~illage-care for a poor girl like ye'
Oh, Jennie, you must SEQ his love is not
honestl"
~ think you are p~rejudiced against him,
uncle, as you must be against his father.
Nancy Jones told me you and John LoriDg
had trouble over a woman, and'--
Uncle Dan'l arose quickly to his feet, his
face working with the anger he could not
suppress. Clinching his hands, he literally
grated.
"Nance Jones is a busybody-a gossip-a
meddlin womanl She had better mind her
business and keep her noseo Of other folks
'fairsl Mind what | tell ye, Jennie, and
steer clear of Nat Loring. II youdon't, yen
regret it rs long as ye live" And then he
walked out of the cottage, leaving a dis.
mayed and downcast girl behind.
Y Il n y
Spring slipped into summer, and the long
warm days ST July and August passed
away. September came to turn the forest
leaves from green to brown and crimson.
The smaller song birds had already depart.