The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-07-14

ping that upland, and it's go poor
that it won't scarcely raise sassafras
now. He amt got more'n three
acres in his clearin' anyhow"
Pretty near four" says Betsy
Ann.
Ibid Ike say anything about pro-
tracted meetin' ?" said the widow at
breakfast table the following morning.
/ looked up inquiringly and she con-
tinued Its about time they had
1t, most everybody's got their craps
laid by and il they wait too long,
first pinkin'll come on"
Deacon Brown said last Sunday
he thought they'd have it about a
Monday" said Betsy Ann.
The next day, Sunday, the sun
shone brightly and fervently. In the
afternoon Jim and / made hunting
expedition. Late in the day, weary
and warm and laden with wood ticks,
we emerged into Il clearing and were
greeted with the regulation hubbub
OF dogs. Recognizing the home Of
Nate Watson, we stopped to quench
our thirst and rest our weary legs.
Mr.. Watson's family consisted Of
four children by his first wife, Mrs.
Watson's five children by form er
husband, and three children, fruit OF
the present alliance. On this occa-
sion the children were all, except
Caroline and the two younger, in the
corn and cotton fields Caroline was
helping her mother about the
kitchen, small detached building
about IA rod from the main house.
Mr.. Watson, IA tall powerfully built
man, clad in the regulation coarse
homespun cotton shirt and jean
trowsers minus shoes and stockings,
sat on the porch just putting the
finishing touches to his rife, which
he had evidently been cleaning. Ike
Joslyn lounged beside him.
Upon my asking for water, Nate
called "Car'line, bring the gen n'le-
men some water"
A moment later | caught a glimpse
OF female figure in calico gown and
sunbonnet disappear by n path from
the house. into IL thicket OF second
growth pines and sassafras, and di-
rectly after emerge, coming toward
US carrying "A wooden bucket. When
she reached the porch and deposited
the brimming pail OF spring water
with drinking gourd, although she
never raised her eyes, which were
deeply hidden in the great homely
sunbonnet, but turned Immediately
and retraced her steps to the kitchen,
/ saw pretty sun-browned hand,
two small perfectly-shaped bare
feet, and just the merest glimpse OF
II dainty little chin beneath sweet,
tender mouth that | knew belonged
to girl i'm her teens.
"Why should she hide her eyes in
that ugly sunbonnet?" ! thought, for
she must have pretty eyes. | was
conscious that Ike's gaze followed
her intently as long as she was in
sight, though neither OF them spoke.
The Sabbath day, though hotter
than ever, found the old log church
with no suggestion: Of loneliness. A
large congregation had assembled.
The interior was hlled to the very
doorways, and listeners with uncov-
cred heads stood outside Mt the win
dows. A few colored people stood in
respectful attitude just outside OF the
doors, to catch the utterances OF the
speaker, sometimes loud and vehe-
ment rising TO frenzied pitch, and
again descending in low solemn tones
to whisper, succeeded by pause OF
awful and threatening silence. In
closing the preacher announced that
the protracted meetings would com
mence on the morrow, to continue for
the remainder OF the week, and the
week following, il the interest already
manifested did not abate.
One after another the days OF re-
vival passed. Every day j opened
my school, then dismissed my pupils
and as in duty bound attended the
meetings.
At last the great revival was over.
Another Monday morning had come
and the world seemed bright and
beautiful as | walked briskly along
the forest road toward the old log
church to resume again my school
duties without interruption.
In all my thoughts OF the work
again about to commence, the face OF
Caroline was wildly prominent. And
as drew nearer the old log church
nil else seemed to retreat into the
background and fade entirely from
my thoughts. / should learn to know
and understand her now rs no other
could. as | assisted and guided her
innocent mind i'm the pursuit Of
knowledge. Perhaps as | corrected
her copy or assisted her in the knotty
problems OF written arithmetic |
might accidentally touch the pretty
hand or the soft, wavy hair.
Look yere where's that yellar-
haired, white-livered, sneakin Pike
county horse thief gone with my
gal?"
A mighty grip seized my shoulder
as in an iron wise, and wrenching me
rudely from my blissful dreams,
twisted me around until | faced the
4 II w. q