The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-27
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no fancy for the young man. She po-
litely rejected his overtures, and 50 he
made arrangements to put up at old
man Millirons'-of all places In the
world. II was such a queer come-off
that John Wesley used to go behind the
corn crib and chuckle over 1t by the
hour. especially on Sundays when he
had nothing else to do.
1t WAS plain to everybody except
John Wesley Millirons that Loorany
was perfectly crazy about Hildreth of
Hall, but good many, impressed by
Mrs. Pruett's prejudice against the
young man, had their doubts as to
whether he was crazy about Loorany.
On the other hand, there were just as
many, including the majority of the
young people. who We're certain. as
they said, that Hildreth of Hall loved
Loorany Parmalee every bit and grain
as hard as Loorany loved him. Between
the two friendly factions you could hear
all the facts in regard to the case and
still never get at the rights of it.
Once Mrs. Pruett took John Wesley
to task in kindly fashion. II never
know'd you was so clever, John Wesley,
tell I seed you give the road to Hild'eth
O. Hall-an' Loorany a-standin' right
spang in the middle waitin' to see
which un 'ud git to 'er fust. Oh. yes,
John Wesley, you er cen about the
cleverest feller in the worl
How come, Mis-. Pruett?" he in
quired blandly.
"Why, bekaze you was so quick to
give way to that chap from below"
'Shuskc! that feller hain't a bother
in me- exclaimed John Wesley.
"Oh, l hope not" said Mrs. Pruett;
''the Lord knows I do. Fer eff he amt
a-botherin' you, I know mighty well he
amt a-brotherin' Loorany. Ef you
could'a' seed 'em a swingin' in the bull
lace vine, as did yestiddy you
wouldn't thought Loorany was both
cred much. Well. not much." Mrs.
Pruett added sarcastically.
Il seed EN-" remarked John Wes-
ley. chuckling.
You dido" cried Mrs. Pruett. She
was both surprised and indignant
'Lor, yassum! | thess sot up an
laughed. s.. /: The feller thinks be-
kaZe he's got his arm 'roun' LOOrany
that she's done his'n! I laughed so
was afeared they'd hear me-
Mrs. Pruett said afterwards that her
heart jumped into her throat when she
heard John Wesley talking in such a
strain, for the idea flashed in her mind
that he was distracted-and it SO i'm
pTtSSeu UeT tTat IOT one DTltI IIlOIIleIt
she was overtaken by fear
We'll" she said, trying to turn the
matter off lightly, 'when you see a
fellow WI his arm aroun' gal an
she not doin' any squealin' to speak of,
you may know it's not so mighty long
tell the weddin'."
"Yassusm." responded John Weslay,
still chuckling, "it may be so wi some
folks, but not when the gal is Loorany
Parmalee. No, ma'am! You thess
wait
"Oh, 1t haint no trouble to me to
wait" said Mrs. Pruett; but what'd
do ef was a-standin' in your shoes?'
You'd make yourself comfortable.
thess like I'm doin'," remarked John
Wesley.
Mrs. Pruett was so much disturbed
that she told her husband about 1t, and
suggested that he look into the matter
to the extent of making such inquiries
as a man can make. But Jerd shook
his head and snapped his big fingers.
"Oh, come now, mother" he said. its
uther to soon er it's too late. An that
hain't all. mother-by the time ! git
| done tendin' to my own business an
yourn feel like drappin' off ter sleep.
Matters went on in this way until
late in 1869, and then there came a time
when Hildreth. of Hail. ceased to visit
Hatch's Clearing. Some said she had
been "conscripted into the war;" as
| Hatch's Clearing. Some said he had
| been appointed to another Office that
took up his time and attention. But.
whatever the cause of his absence was
/ Loorany seemed to be satisfied. She
went about as gay as a lark and as spry
as a ground squirrel. John Wesley
| too. continued to take things easy. He
made no show Of elation over the alb
sence of Hildreth, of Hall, and never
| inquired about it, He had never ceased
J his visits to the Parmalees. but he
went no oftner, now that his rival had
disappeared from the field. than he had
| gone before. AS Mrs. Pruett remarked
he was the same old John Wesley in
fair weather as he was in foul Patient
and willing, and good-humored, for all
his seriousness. he went along attend.
ing to his own business and helping
| everybody else who needed help. Thus
| in way he was very popular, but
somehow those who liked him least
had pity for him that was almost
| contemptuous. John Wesley paid nc
attention to such things. He just
rocked along, as Mrs. Pruett said.
| 1t was the same when. one day in the
spring of 1864, Hildreth of Hall came
riding UP the mountain driving a pail
Of handsome horses to top buggy
-