The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-02-10


and strong enough IN knock down an
OK. / guess It's only that you're in
love with somebody-Mstilda Price,
maybe, or Sophy Howells. Which is
IL, DAMP"
Dan received this suggestion with
supreme contempt. He made a boast
of having never been in love, and
though the girls mentioned by his SIS
ter were the bellies of the neighbor.
hood, and had each tried the power of
her charms upon him, he had remained
obdurstely indifferent toward them.
Matilda, he said, was bold and loud.
and Sophia vain and affected, and il
would take n very nice girl indeed to
get him in love.
SITS most time 10 GET ready for
church, amt it, DAM" said Martha,
glancing at the clock on the chimney
shelf. Matilda III nave on her new
bonnet to-day. l tell you she'll be
worth looking at"
STUFF! I'm not going 10 church. +"
"Why Daniel" said his mother,
reproschfully.
Whats the use, mother? just 10
see old Deacon Ball asleep. and hear
Miss Beckey Jones screeching the
hymn out Of tune, and listen TO Par
son Tanners tiresome-"
DANIEL" interrupted his mother.
severely.
"Well mother, I'm tired of il all.
l believe I'll go over to Railway and
see Bill Brewster. He's going on a
voyage next week-bound for the West
Indies-snd wants me join him. But
l haven't made up my mind yet about
the army-recruiting business that the
boys are SO crazy about. Ben Howells
says he'll enlist if l will"
"Oh, Daniel !" said his mother, tears
starting to her eyes.
Dan was very fond of his mother,
and it went TO his heart to see her in
tears.
81 don't say that I'll go mother, so
long as you oppose 1t. But wish you'd
consent"
"Do let him go, mother" said
Maria, sharply. at will likely do him
good"
1t was late that evening when Dan,
who had spent the~~lay at Railway.
came home to supper. He noticed that
the parlor windows were lighted but
that was always the case on Sunday,
when Maria's beaux we're calling on
her.
AS he stepped into the kitchen entry
he was greeted wSh a savory odor of
pies and cake, and saw that the table
was nicely set with the best moss rose
bud tea set. Maria, who had heard
his step, came to meet him.
sob, Dan, / wanted to tell you |!
We've got company arrived-mother's
cousin Lydia and her daughter Dora.
They've been Visiting Uncle Erasmus,
in Huttonville andto-day he's brought
them over to spend some days with us.
| hope they'll stay longer, for they're
such pleasant peoplel Step up stairs
and brush yourself up, for superb
be ready in IA minute"
Bother | won't go in to supper.
They needn't know that I'm here"
"Now, Dan, | wouldn't be doing
anything more to veX mother. She's
worried enough about you already (;
and I've left her in the parlor with
Cousin Lydia to talk over old times /;
and Dora's helping me to get supper.
She's the incest grill"
Maria disappeared and Dan, as he
stood hesitatlng, had n view into the
neat kitchen.
There he saw a slender and very
pretty girl, with dark eyes and hair,
arranging the cups and saucers,~ and he
noticed how daintily she handled them,
and how light and graceful her mo-
tions were! And also her sweet voice,
as she lsughingly replied TO some re-
mark of Maria! II struck him that
he had never before seen the kitchen
look so bright and cheerful.
He stole up stairs, and carefully
brushed his hair and put on a more
becoming tie. Then he came down
and was introduced TO Dora.
She stepped forward with a smile
and gave him her hand, and as Dan
met the clear, frank eyes, it seemed TO
him that a sort OF sunshine stole into
his heart, partially dispellInglt Its gloom.
And AS he sat and looked at and
listened to her, his face gradually soft
ened and assumed a cheerfulness which
it had not worn for many q day.
He did not go out after supper, al
though he had half promised Ben
Howells to have a talk with him about
that enlisting business. And next day
he hug around the house on some
pretense or other, getting little
glimpses Of and brief chats with Dora.
Maria saw 1t, but p%rudently said
nothing-only managing TO throw
them together as much as possible.
"Dan," she said, next day, pre-
tending TO be in a great hurry, "can
you spare time TO help Dors shell
. those peas? I'm so busy, and the
peas must be on the fire in ten min
utes 10 be in time for dinner
So Dan sat down, and while she'll
ing the peas, watched Dora's def fin