The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19
Observation-Disclosures
! A GREAT GAME OF CHECKERS :
SRoRoRoR@moH@B@H@R@R@Rem@H

without looking at him, left the house
Immediately al the close OF school.
The3 following afternoon a big, fresh
faced young fellow, whom the school
master haQ never before seen, called
for Hattie, and took her driving in
very dashlng equipage. Edna volun-
teered an explanation after school.
mats Bill heeIer," she SAID. ne
Hattie'S beau, ana he wants her to
set married. His mother has promised
to give him the farm if he'll get a
wife before Christmas"
This news threw the schoolmaster in
to the sulks. The young farmer visited
the school, being received with bash
full cordiahty by the big boys and
girls" and with cold civllity by the
teacher. He took Hattie to the Thurs
day evening singing school, and was
driving with her and Edna every DAY.
This week was one of misery for the
schoolmaster, though his checker board
was some consolati ton. But sitting
alone in the darkening school room
while the snow whirled high around
the windows. he would imagine that
vivid face, lit by great luminous eyes,
opposite him. Or. as he looked from
book to board, he would see the swift
fash of q slim, white hand ABOVE MS
own.
The week ended at last. and the
young farmer returned to his home.
Hes coming again Christmas" Ed
ma said to the schoolmaster.
Monday evening Hattie stayed after
school was dismissed, bending a husned
face over a perfectly recited algebra
lesson. After a long. silence the school-
master said. with stiff dignity
4 am glad, Miss Bates, that you still
retain some interest in your studies
There was no answer.
81 fail 10 see" persisted the teacher,
'what there is so remarkable IN thaI
young fellow that he should take up all
your time"
Still no answer
Come. tell me, Miss Bates, what on
earth he is noted for.
she looked up sideways into his face.
PA saws" she answered gravely, that
he is the best checker player IN Inc
county,
can he beat me?"
The question meant a good deal.
With {. reckless fash of her great gray
eyes and dropping into the Michigan
country dialect, which the schooinfas-
ter had labored months to eradicate
she answered: 49,. oef,,,
'.Um-huh! Beats the boots OH m
you!" s.;o,,s He
+ool[ me checker board and flung 1t
into the stove. The books were about
to follow. when he felt little mana
Isid on his arm. and turning saw Hat.
+ia with tears in her eyes. Don I:
She said. u should be lonesome WIN
out-without the books!
The school1naster dropped the BOOKS
and kissed his pupil.
Then the little hypocrite ASSUMED "a an
air of mighty dignity, and said: Inc
@at,ooI Io-vc don't allow that form OF
punishment 80 e.,
Are YOU going to marry that fell
low?'' he asked peremptorlly.
II don't know"
"Wiu you marry me?''
With droll little smile she replied:
IF YOU please, Mr.. Field, that ism
in today's lesson"
AS that was all the satisfaction he
could get, he went to consult with heT
father.
well. schoolmaster," said the Old
/ gentleman finally. Hattie has explain
/ ed the hull thing to me. When Bill is
here she thinks she likes him best and
when you're here she sort o cottons
/ to YOU most. Now, why don't you and
4 him play a game of checkers to decide
it-winner take the girl-eh?"
81 agree to that" replied the teach
er
/ The proposition was submitted to
Hattie and she. after some considera-
/ ton, accepted it.
Now. YOU mustn't take no advan-
4 taee of Bill" said the farmer. Hes
comm Christmas eve, an We'll have
+ the game then, an the weddin' after
( ward You mustn't keep Hattie after
! school. nor come here to see her TIL
+ them
I The schoolmaster got a newt checker