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

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Wi}iage Of A-----. He was well-to
q y and unmarried, and was not
Rad locking man. AT least he tolt
himself so MS be carefully brushed
his wellskept hair back from vi:
forehead and gazed at his refiec.
Z ton in the mirror. This is what
he saw. A short, fat little man,
With his hair carefully parted in
tho back and conlbed forward over
his ears and (truth must be toldif
le was barber) u bald spot on
fl,e TOP Of his head. This bald
spot had steadily increased in size
ia spite of all the "vigors" and "el-
kris" that. he had regularly APP
piled to it. Today as he looked at
it, it seemed to be larger than ever,
and he said to himself as he APP
piled the wash.
Its no use, Gideon. You are
getting old, and you might just as
we'll own it first as last. II you
had any spunk at all you'd have
been married long ago"
just then deacon Hemper came
in to have his beard trimmed, and
Gideon smilingly advanced to-
serve his old customer.
Gideon was very bashful, and
always got fidgety and red III the
face whenever a woman spoke to-
hlnl, and always said no when he
meant to say yes, and if he did
venture to be agreeable to lady
he always made n dismal failure
of il; and 80 he kept getting worse,
and, although he was very fond Of
their society, finally avoided them
as much as possible.
Years ago there had been a
vague rumor afloat that Gideon
was going to marry Philena Pray.
Gideon heard the rumor and heart
lily wished that TWAS the truth,
bat he knew that, much as be.
wished it to be so, he had not the
courage to find out what she might
think about it. at
Philena Pray was the daughter
Of the village clergyman, and had
been d handsome girl, rather above
tie medium height, with flashing
black eyes and rosy cheeks. She.
was not wanting IN spirit, and one
day after Gideon had kept her COM
pany six years and they we're no
nearer All understanding than they
were of first, she made up her
mind to bring matters to Il crisls !;
and so, when Gideon stepped mp
TO see her home from meeting, she
Tilted him before them all, and
went home with her father.
Gideon went home in no pleas
ant mood. AS he sat before his
fire he ran his fingers through his
hair until it stood on end, and
then he would rise and pace the
floor and talk TO himself. This
was 81 habit he had when excited. 1
II declared It's too bad IL
don't know as blame her, either
Here I've been going with her for
six years, and I've never had the
courage to tell her how well love
her / believe she knows that II
want her, and she thinks it's time
/ told her so, an so it is. | won't
let another day pass over my head
without KNOWN just what she
thinks"
Well for Gideon if he had kept
his resolution, but when morning
came he felt more timid and bash
fni than ever. He said to himself:
It's now or never" He walked
bgiskly along, and soon arrived at
Parson Pray's gate. Philena was
working among the flowers that
grew near the gate. She was ex-
pecting him and her heart beat n
little faster, and her cheek took
on a roster hue, MS she said
Good morning, Gideon"
Good morning, Philena."
Won't you come IMP"
she smiled as she spoke, and
Gideon thought there never was a
fairer woman in the world. She
took a step toward the gate ais if
70 open it. Gideon got very red
and stammered:
No, thank you." He realized
that he had made blunder, and
i confused him more and more.
HB took OFF his h0t nnd fur;a,el,,