Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-03-07
SAM OUTWITTED HIM.
And Helped Fred Jones Get Z
Pretty Wiz.

Pretty WiSs.
Farmer Ksndrick he'd brought In q
srmful Of snow-covered logs from th,
woodpile st the north end Of the house
throwing them down on the ston,
hearth with noise like . small earth
quake, when Carrie Brown started up
Five o'clock Oh, had no idea 4
was SO late. I must be going home"
ALLOW me to accompany you, Mia
Brown?n
You'll let me zee you home, Carrier
Capt. Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke 1t once, but Carrie shook hel
head.
n prefer TO walk home Alone" IN.
said, gayly.
About the sleighing party tomor'
row night?" asked Fred, anxiously.
IL have promised Capt Logan
said the village beauty, rosy tint sui.
fusing her cheek.
"But, Carrie, l thought II was settled
between you and me two weeks sgol'
exclaimed Fred, with frown.
WAS II? lam sure I had forgotten
I'll"
Fred was silent. Capt. Logan'l
smooth, softtoned voice broke the 81
lence.
II exact no promises" he said, gal
lantly, "but II am not purctual 4
the hour and the spot Mis- Brown MAY
draw her own conclusions"
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, this brighteyed
New England damsel. Fred Jones had
loved her ever since they were children
together, and Capt. Logan, who had
come down to spend the Christmas
holidays with bis cousins, the Ken
bricks, had become so fond Of those
bright blue eyes and golden hair that
he had prolonged his visit into jan
uary.
"'Pon my word, she's q regular
beauty" said the captain, staring
through the tiny windowpanes at the
retreating figure Of Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up 1t him
as II he would have liked TO knock him
over into the fireplace, but he refrained
from any such demonstration.
"A beauty" went on the captain,
"and It's thousand pities she should
be wasted on any Of the country bump.
kins who vegetate among these wilder
nesses. Sam, you young villain, are
those boots Of mine BACKED yet?'
mo, they ain't,' said Sam, GROSSLY.
well, what's the reason?"
"Cause amt had time"
"See you find time, then, quickly,
too said the captain, and Sam glow
cred after him Us he went up the stairs.
Just wish had the Arin' Of him
out" said the boy, gloomily. "It's
Sam do this and Sam, do that aud
Sam, where's the warm water?' and
SAM what the deuce do you mean by
letting my fire go out? end not q cent
has he guy me yet-no, nor 10 much 81
u pleasant word. | wonder II he means
to stay here always?"
you and are about equal In our
love for him, SAM" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
~ hecred him talkin' with Miss
Carrie about goin sleigh ridin' to-
morrow night" said Sam, shrewdly.
I'D jes' like to put Kicking Tom in
the shafts would II it weren't for
Miss Carrie. lie don't know nothin'
about horses, that militia cap'n don't"
And Sam chuckled.
~ say, Mr.. Jones, why don't you
get beforehand with him? Miss Carrie
don't really care for him, she's only
dazzled like"
Fred Jones frowned slightly; honest
Sam was not exactly the kind Of Glny-
mede he cared to have NEEDLE with his
love affairs.
Miss Brown must choose for her.
self, Sam" he said, and Sam went back
to his work secretly wondering how a
young lady gifted with ordinary sense
could hesitate for q moment between
the captain and Fred Jones.
The night came, o perfect night for
sleighing expeditions and rustic love-
making, the roads hard and well
packed, and Q glorio us moon shining
down Whitley, as II y rain Of silver
were deluging the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. sam, where are the
sleigh-bells2"
Dunno" said Sam. There's them
old jingles In the garnet that used to
belong to Deacon John Kendriok, that
was In the revolutionary war, and there
is the two cowbells that Mary Jane
might scour up with ashes"
"Pshaw" said the captain. DO you
take me for Rip Van Winkle2 There's
a pretty little string somewhere, for I
saw them when Mrs Kendrick went out
day before yesterday"
II hain't seen nothin' on EN-" said
Sam, stolidly.
Come, come, Sam, don't make your
self out any stupider than you be by
nature" said the farmer, laughing
for the captains airs
were fast wearing out his welcome, and
he secretly sympathized with the much
abused Sam.
~ guess they're out out In the barn.
You had better 60 with him, captain,
II you expect to find EN-; our Sam Is
dreadful thick headed when he chooses
to be-"
"Come along, my fine fellow" said
the captain, collaring Sam and march
Ing him off In the direction Of the old
red barn. I'VE don't need any lantern
in this moonlight, that Is one comfort"
where are the stairs2" demanded
the captain, as they entered the barn.
"Aint none," said Sam "It'a a lad
der"
up with you, then" said Logan, but
Sam shrunk back.
II wouldn't, not for fifty dollars"
said Sam. "0ld John Kendrick hanged