Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-10-08

of is 'ank to give i'm beans.
"At larst, one night. wen l draws
into the yard, I found i'm a-waitin
for me wiz a crowd o fellows, who
scented a mill. I'd put everything
straight, an wus just goin' Orf ONE to
my supper, wen e slOuches up to me
an thrusting is face inter mine, e
Used
""Alf a mint, my fine feller, my
Gentleman Dick. I've stood yer kid
long enuf, now we're goin' to see who's
the best man, an e began to roll up is
shirt sleeves determinedly.
Go way" I says sarcastic like. l
don't want to 'urt drunken man.
"'Who's drunk e shouted, wiv a
lot o warm langwige, an e struck me
blow on the chest.
"'Well : says l coolly, if you will
ave it, you shall, an I proceeded to
peel my coat an weskit.
Il didn't anticipate any trouble wlv
i'm, as I'd ad few sparrin lessons IN
my younger days orr old Alf Bean
feld-I dessay you've card on is
name-sO l thought I'd just ave a bit
O game wiv i'm.
"As soon as we stood up, immedi-
ately makes mad rush at me wiv the
intention O settlin me orf hand, but |
wus ready for i'm an as e came IN, |
shot out my fist an landed it fair on Is
chest, fairly knockin i'm orr is pins
The blow seemed to sober i'm bit,
for wen e stood up agen, e spared
round warily. I waited for i'm to
come on, the fellers meanwhile encour-
agin' us wiv cries of Go on, Sam?
Bang him. Out i'm, Dick /
"Snddenly E thought e saw an open
ing, an feinting wiv is left, e GOT one
ONE on my face Bravo, Sammie
they shouted, excitedly. Their cries an
the smart of the blow made me mad,
an we went at it ammer an tongs.
Nv and was soon covered with the
crimson fluid from Sammie' boko, an
one O my eyes ad gone to sleep, an
ceased to be o any use to me. | found
e could use his docks, an that it would
take me all my time to polish i'm ort,
but at last came the opportunity
"Rushin in, e lands lne a quick
right an left on the chest, but, fol-
lerin i'm up l swung round wiv my
right, an suddenly brought up my
left wiv all the force | could, and
caught i'm under the jaw. Down e
went like a ninepin, an didn't stir for
two or three minits. l went an bathed
my lovely black eye, an goes ONE.
Next mornin wen | showed up at
the yard-a pretty face id got on me
the boss told me as | could take a oil
idav for week. Sammie wus in bed,
they said, not able to show up. |
thought the week rest would give my
features a chance to resume their nor
NAL situations, so stops in the ouse.
| darent 90 out to see Rosie WV
face on me like I'd got, so ad to curb
nv impatience as best ! could. 1t wus
a weary week, but at last it was over,
an wiv eager cart returned to my
daily duties. As soon as got in the
yard Bill-that's my conductor ands
me a note wiv the remark: She gave
it to me Toosday to give to yer. ain t
seen er since.
"I don't'know ow it wus, but some
thing seemed to tell me that all wus
not right, an | 'urriedly tore the let
ter open.
"'Dear Dick, she wrote, my broth
er in Australiyer as asked muvver an
me to 60 over to i'm, an we start on
Friday. l card about 'ow you knocked
Sam Flvnn out O time. God bless yer,
my brave old Dick. Cheer up, shall
sec yer agen soon. Your lOvin' sweet
'art-Rosie
"Gone l couldn't realize it. Gone
wivout a charnce of word. 1t must
be impossible-surely she must ave
known what my life would be wivout
'er; an mist swan before my eyes,
as l gazed at 'er words, God bless yer,
my brave old Dick, an at length un-
derstood she 'ad indeed gone away,
maybe forever.
"Well, arter that things went on as
usual until one day larst week l wus
driving the up journey, wen a soldier
chap and young gal who l didnt t
particularly notice gets on the top.
Ny thoughts were far away, thinkin
o the splendid helpmate Rosie would
a been to me, if she'd never gone
away. Try as l would l found it i'm
possible to forget 'er. 'Er sweet face
wus allus in my mind, an the words
in that little note which ! carried in