The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-27
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ThE CAMP MEETING,
a REMlhlscENcE. BrKAnLx exr11,p

a "REMINISCENCES.

c.rvr.ghf 1896. by Irving Bacheiler-
i The day for courtship on the
n has also the psety Of cieanii-
:. enables the young man 10 get
80 ., seif-respecting sweetness OF per-
+, enables the girls TO look as ma
= intended, dainty and pure.
re change from everyday wear ana
lS the part OF young workmen Ike
80 r-sswoId was more than change; Il
p transformation
tag courage TO go through x all.
~ !. took more than courage--it took
- reu arose a little later OF Sunday
Er,ny than on week days, but there
,sa chores to do as usual. The
- rnust be watered. fed and curried.
n shs COWS were To milk, all before
t~.rfast at haif-past seven
Ter breakfast he threw on the cares
: .hs hired hand. When he came down
-. she little garrett Into which the hot
- as.rs- Gun strearned redly. he was dif-
800 man. Clean from tip to toe. newly
s.ssT. with a cracking white shirt,
-. eoIlar and a new suit OF store
s..ses he felt himself man again, TT
! rpset maidens.
sss PARTNER. being - married man, was
ssrching around IN his tattered and
s-s..v brown denim overails. lie looked
:, Ben and grinned.
Got tas on y'rseifF
no: why"
ayohody'd know ye. IS anything hap
..ssd 10 We. There's $50 gone 10 the dogs"
4, sighed 20. we'll. you'll get over that,
list as did"
i bope won't get over liking 70 be
Apsn" Ben said, little soLriy. i won
y back 10 milk"
Didn't expect ye. That's the very
.us o. day the girls are purt.est-just
,Aeat sandown. Better take Rock; may
yant the old team myself.
Pan hitched up and drove off In the
xsrm. bright morning. feeling a wonder
al eIatson. He was clean and self-respect-
lsg once more. His freshly shaven face
al cool, and his new suit fitted him well.
lis heart took on great resolution, which
vas to call upon Grace.
I, made his brown hands shake TO think
A. II. He remembered how many times
n had sworn 10 do that and had never
lad the courage, though ii seemed she
snured him at times.
He overlook Milton Jennings on his way
slong the poplar lined lane.
Hello Milt, where you bound?'
Milton looked up with curious look in
his laughing eyes. From the pocket OF
he long linen duster he drew a handful of
beautiful scarlet and yellow Siberian
efzhapples.
See them crabs?''
"Tes. / see EN-"
Milton drew "a similar handful out OF his
left pocket. See those2"
What y goin' TO do with emf"
"Take 'em home again"
Ben noticed something in Millions voice
which led him to ask;
what did you intend doing with 'em?'
Present 'eIn to Miss Cole"
Ben laughed. We'll, why didn't y do
~
Milton showed his white teeth i'm a smile
ira, was frankly derisive of himself.
Well when / got over there / found
young Conleys horse hitched 10 one post
aud Walt Browns gray hitched to the
other. | went in, but / didn't stay long.
in fact I didn't sit down. j was afraid
those Internal apples would roll out o my
pockets. ! was afraid they'd find out I
brought 'em over there for Miss Cole. like
The darn fool was"
They both laughed heartily. Milton was
always as severe upon himself as upon
any one else.
That's tough" said Ben, but climb in.
and let's go 20 Sunday school"
Milton got In, and they ate the apples as
they rode along.
The Grove schoolhouse was the largest
In the township. and was the only one
With a touch OF redeeming grace. II was
b a lovely place. Great oaks stood all
ahout and back OF II, the woods grew
Dick. and a clear creek gurgled over its
inestone bed not far away.
To Ben and Milton there was a strange
rharm about the Grove schoolhouse. IL
sas the one place where they met the
boys and girls in garments disassociated
Rom toll. Sundays In summer. and on
winter nights at lyceums or protracted
meetings. they came TO see the girls in
their bright dresses. with their clear and
b. II seemedl scornfal bright eyes.
All through the service Ben sat where
Ne could see Grace by turning his head.
but he had not the courage TO do so. once
or twice he saw the curve of her cheek
ard the delicate lines OF her ear, and a
throh came into his throat.
tie wanted 10 ask her to 20 with him
Down 20 Rock river to the Methodist
amp meeting. but he knew IL was impos-
shle. He could not say good day 10 her
when she took pains TO pass near him
alier church and speak to him. lie nod
eed Ike a great idiot. all ease and dignity
Est. his throat too dry and hot 10 speak.
He cursed his shyness as he went out
after bis horse. lie saw her picking her
dainty way Up the road with Conrad Sic
ser walking with her. What made IL worse
vas dim feeling that she liked him. ana
vpa't go with him II he had the courage
e Ask her
Well BEN" said Milton. ITS settled
" 20 20 Rock river tonight 20 tho camp
Meeting Did YOU ask Grace
No she's going with Con. It's Just ny
tlssted luck"
That's too bad. Well. come wi.h Us.
fske Maud"
% the road-that IS 10 say. Ben hurried