Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-11-23
Then They Sat Down.

Then They Sat Down
less a man and an inequality he could
not explain. Then il was, however.
that he discovered the depth of his at
tachment. His companions noticed II
and rallied him about 1t. and behind
his back expressed themselves i'm the
customary village slang and gossip.
There's no more fish In the sea ~
Reub," they said. He Is setting his
line on dry land. over at the Champer-
nowns, pretty dry II Is. Small catch
there; a big name and not enough cash
to go with 1t. He is too good for her.
anyway: but l hope he win get her
If he wants her and come ont OF his
dumps
Reuben did not recover his usual
spirits: his good old mother insisted
that he was not we'll and needed ply
sic. Reuben took the medicine being
a good deal of ID child under his moth
er's roof. oheying and yielding 10 her
In nearly all her WITNESSES. which were
leavened with much shrewdness and
knowledge of human nature.
Mother" said he, ''it does me no
good. but will take II To please you"
My son, you just wait; you've been
behindhand some time. and Ii win
take while to get you beforehand
again. These herbs never failed in
sickness Of one sort or another
Herbs. mother, are good in their
place. | like the smell of them, but
the taste
That's just Il. my son: the smell Is
sweet, and shows the taste Is good
medicine. It's just like being In love
and marriage: one you like and the
other you must take, because Il is best
for everybody and naturally follows:
and sometimes" she added, with sly
look at Reuben, lit cures love"
I'm not going TO marry-never; 80
you are out of your reckoning there,
mother"
We'll, don't know. Your father
before you said that; 40 did Until
was asked. Nobody means what they
say when in love; or, rather they
mean just the other way. | think now
l know what Is the trouble with Won,
Reuben and she poured out the dose
and gave 1t to him. saying: "..It will
keep up your spirits. Mt any rate. until
Rebecca gives you some soothing
syrup-eh, my boy? So cheer up"
Reuben grew thin and nervous I'm
spite of the medicine: but he went
about preparations for the winter
low him; small fares and falling prices
discouraged him more and more Rut
the greater his depression the more
mis- mind dwelt upon Rebecca. In
some curious. involved way he had
come to connect his Ill luck with her.
His brother fishermen, however, be-
heyed 1t was all on account Of his not
wearing white mittens when he set
ana handled his trawl lines. 1t being
IN that region Of fishing villages the
UNIVERSAL belief Of superstition that
Wnlte mlttenS must be worn To insure
good luck in winter TRAVELLING. But
reuben paid no attention to what he
thougnt was a mere fancy. He felt
rather that he was working with
haf-hearted energy, and all on ac-
count OF his dubious relation with Re-
becca. He determined to SEQ her
again and arrange to see her when
her mother was absent.
Il nave come to see you once moro "
ne said on meeting her: "but perhaps
1 mad better not come again"
w n.y." said Rebecca, ARE you not
always welcome, Capt. GageT'
les; we never quarrel-aud we
never get any further along from one
time to another
This was more than he had ever
Deen able to say before I'm regard ~
their personal relation. and no was
frightened at himself. So he began
again from what he Thought was an.
otner point; yet. as out of the fuIncss
OF the heart the mouth speaketh. be
fngs.
m not getting on very well now:
no luck. no money and the Anna
sheafe getting In debt. thought I
would tell you. though do not know
as you care"
res, i do care-very much. Capt
cage ! knew something was the the
matter, ana heard from one of the
image gossips II was because you neg
iecteo OF sneered at the custom OF
wearing white mittens as the other
fishermen do when setting their tra ,yis
Do you think II is a silly superstJtIon, y;
Yes, i do, in the main.'
$50 do ]. when / reason. Al otbor
times | half believe In II. There js
something at the bottom of ALI coro,
mon custome and beliefs. which. when
harmless, 1t Is just as well to accent
our little village would be very duli
and embarrassing without them"
nave no particular objection IN
white mittens," Reuben said, "only I
did not happen to have any"
thought as much. You would
wear them IL you had themp'
Why, yes, / should"
hebecca disappeared for a moment
and returned holding out a pair az
snow-white mittens.
There; ] made them for you. I had
to guess at the size; most girls would
not. who have brothers." she saId
archly. Let me try them on" and
she pulled one over Rpu'icn's hand: