River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-05-06

country school IN the district Of Cedar
Narroys. southern Ohio. His peculiar
memory had stored up quotations from
rll the school readers of p years ago.
and he quoted from the Bible as we'll
Andrew was in love. The object of his
regard was Desire Wentworth, second
daughter Of Dr. Wentworth, and a shy,
refned-lOOking girl she was. Andrew
had been in love With Desire of and on
ever since Or. Wentworth's arrival at
Cedar Narrows, which was when An
drew was ten and Desire seven years OF
age. His attention was attracted TO
her the first day Of the summer school.
when he heard Will Watson cry out:
Hey. gals things don't b'Ioug on
this side, 'ceptiu' teachers. Take them
duds down from there.
Andrew saw fiaxen-haired girl whose
pOuting lips were quivering and whose
big blue ewes were filling with tears,
and he shouted: Charge. Chester,
charge" and drove VIII Watson out
into the school yard, where he beat
wild tattoo on his back. After that
Desires sunbOnRet in summer and hood
and shawl in winter hung next to the
teachers wraps on the boys side of the
schoolhOuse.
Desire admired Andrew and was
charmed with his rendering of "The
Psalm of Life" and ''Antony's Grafton
over the dead body of Caesar" at the
literary society which met every other
FRIDAY night. Desire herself was too
1imid to Iecite anything. but she wrote
beautiful essays on Spring" "FlOw-
ers." and kindred subjects So thought
Andrew. and he was considered good
Judge Of essays. having recited so many.
As was the custom, Andrew gradu
sted from the district school at the age
of 81 by ceasing to attend. As he was
leaving the schoolhOuse on his last day
Of school he was heard to exeisim:
Farewell. a long farewell TO all my
greatness! This is the state of man;
to-day he puts forth the tender leaves
of hope; tomorrow"
"He goes to planting potatoes" put
In VIII Watson, who was standing near
This was true; Andrew at once took
charge Of his mothers farm. and tried
10 free IL from the debt that had bur
sIened il since his fathers death. This
task was accomplished by the time he
was -, and he began 10 entertain Sc
Tious thoughts OF marrying. His
smother was perfectly willing he should,
as she was getting along in years and
needed help about the house.
1T is not good for man to be alone.
quoth Andrew, bat he feared to tell his
love lest he should tell IL lin mournful
numbers" and life would be to him
thereafter but IAN empty dream"
Here comes Desires quotation
mark" said Nancy. Desires 16-year-old
sister. one Wednesday evening in blus
tering November.
Nancy Wentworth, why do you talk
SOP. said her mother. reprovingly, a.
she saw Desires flushing cheek.
We'll. think myself it's time he
proposed. said Phebe. the oldest girl
who was embroiIering the regulation
Christmas gift for the new minister
Here he has been coming twice a
week for SIX or eight years. and all h,
does is 10 quote. ! don't believe he
ever had an original thought ID his
life"
There came a knock at the door and
Nancy tiptOcd out into the kitchen. fol
lowed by Phebe with her embroidery
Desires cheeks were flushed and tear.
were not far from her eyes, for she was
sensitive on both points upon which
her sisters had touched. While she en-
loved Andrews quotations herself anC
was proud OF his wonderful memory
she did not like TO have, him laughed
At; and as she had been expecting I
proposal from him for more than yea
now its delay somewhat nettled hei
peaceful disposition. SO when she
opened the door for Andrew this even
ing she was not altogether herself.
Good evening" said Andrew. ''Th,
north wind doth blow, and we shall
have suC- and what will poor robin d,
then, poor thing"
Good evening. Andrew" said Mrs
Wentworth, as she placed a chair 70
him. How does your mother stsn'
this first cold Snap2'
Not very well, I am sorry 20 say,
replied Andrew. lies. the year j.
growing old, aud his eye is pale an,
bleared'"
"You ought 20 get some ono to hell
YOUR mother. Andrew" said kindly Mrs
Wentworth; the work is too hard 70
her"
"Yes, | have been thinking Of i,
Come over into Macedonia aud he'll
u.s." said Andrew. looking at Desire
This was almost too much for tn
gravity Of even Mrs. Wentworth. an,
she made her escape from the room a
soon as she properly could. Desire So.
the half-eo1cea ed amusement Of he
mother and il did not tend TO s-nOotl
down her already ruffied feelings.
Andrew had not as yet noticed any
thinu unusuaI in Desires CT nduct,