The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1895-07-11


land say It's Of no account
Please don't disconmode yourself
Miss Philena.'H
She cast nlook Of scorn after
him, and then went about bel
work.
Gideon went on his way, angry
with himself for his blunder. I'D
kick myself if / could. I'D left
something at the church Wasn't
that a bright speech2 You're an
idiot, Gideon Bright He turned
abont and walked back, fully de-
termined to go straight to Philena.
He walked slowly by the house,
but he did not see Philena. His
courage, as usual, left him at the
last moment, and he walked home
ward and when he was once more
in his little shop, his face wore a
despairing look as he said:
"Gideon Bright, you've let the
chance of your life slip by. / don't
believe she'd have you now any
way" #5. "
Philena saw him when he came
back, and she really hoped that
he would come in, but she was dis
and as she walked
slowly By, she thought: il.
II don't believe he cares any,
thing for me. Pm glad ! gave him
the mitten last night before all
the folks. Ill see that he don't
get the chance to pay me-"
" True to her resolution, she avoid
ed Gideon, merely speaking in a
civil way when she passed him in
the street, or met him at friends
house. s@s~ S.. So. r..4.. H..
Year after year went swiftly by,
and still Philena did not marry.
This was her own choice, for sew
eral worthy men had sought her
hnnd Try as she would to put
him out of her mind, the face of
Gideon Bright haunted her dreams
and she would softly sigh:
If sheonlyo had the least bit of
gumption." .&:
Gideon still 10 cd Philena with
all heart, and tondly hoped some
day to win her. He lived in the
rooms over his barber shop and
took his mearls at Dame Cations
who lived next door. Being so
much alone, he got more in the
habit of talking to himself, and
PEiiena was generally the subject
of his conversation.
At the time my story opens,
Gideon was forty-two years old,
and Philena was thirty-eight.
After Gideon had trimmed Dea-
con Hemper's beard, he accompa-
Mod him to the door, and as they
stood there in the sunshine talk
ing in q gossipy, neighboriy way,
young Serene Hemper came along.
BE was going to have a picnic on
the Fourth of July in their grove,
three miles from the village. He
wished Gideon to attend.
Gideon could talk well enough
when he was with the men, and he
said L. ... II. .r..e ..:.- ........
I'D like to go. I'd enjoy it real
we'll. It's along time since at
tended picnic. But then its
no use thinking about it. I'd just
be an odd one among you." !
"0h don't talk that way. We're
ali going in big wagon, and we
mean to have jolly time. =
Gideon consented to 60, and
they walked on and returned to
his little shop. He longed to go
and invite Philena to accompany
him, and he said softly, as he poll
ished his shears before he put.
them away:
Now, Gideon, be a man, and
ask Philena to accompany you to-
the picnic. It's better late than
never, and you might get her yet.
| almost think she likes you d lit
tie, and then she refused John
Haimes, and perhaps you have
been mistaken oil these years, and
she does care for you. Anyway, j
believe I'll ask Philena to 60 to
the picnic with me-"
He started out and just as he
turned the corner who should he
meet but Philenal He merely
said: "Good morning" and hur-