The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-11-25
A MAN WON HER.


One must give way, you see! And ii
the master is that one, it's apt to be
bad for the man. Knowing this, John
Adams and Emily Bolton resolved to
keep their engagement to themselves
for bit, until they could start in life
Oh their own account.
Why the girl had fallen in love with
the man instead of his master it would
puzzle conjurer to tell. I'm sure she
couldn't have said herself. 1t was he.
John Adams, who suggested secrecy;
and Emily, after little dispute,
agreed.
Emily accepted John about Christ.
mas time, and he argued that it would
be ruin to be discharged in the slack
time.
"We'll keep it TO ourselves till the
spring, my girl, and then we can snap
our fingers at him." said John.
But Emily had no desire to snap her
fingers at Reuben Saunders. She was
not built that way. She felt sorry for
him, and wished him all manner OF
good things. Still she was in love
with John, and consequently did as he
told her.
But long before spring came-in fact,
it was the middle of February-it be-
gan to be rumored about that John and
Emily were engaged. Reuben heard
the report and went straightway to
her fathers cottage and asked to see
Emily.
Mrs. Bolton opened the door. She
stepped back and called up stairs,-
Emily, Emily! Here's Mr.. Saun
ders wants to see yer."
And then she went about her work,
and left him standing at the open door.
She, for her part, preferred Reuben to
John as a husband for her pretty
daughter. That she was the girls
mother, and knew the value of money
by its lack, may account for her pref
erence. Moreover Reuben was as good
a man as John, though not so hand
some.
i've only come to ask you ques-
ton, Emily" said Reuben, humbly.
when at last the girl appeared.
Say on" said Emily, not quite at
J. ease, for there had been a time
WI en- she had given Reuben encourage.
msnt.
'Ihear that you and John Adams are
6 ng to be married" And Reuben
H. ed his honest eyes and looked the
g'l straight in the face.
I don't see what business it is of
) lrs. l suppose we've right" be,
{ l the girl, angrily.
But before she could finish her SEN
tence, Reuben said, sadly, 1--WE got my
o. wer," and turned away.
"he girls heart smote her.
stay, Reuben, stay! It's not my
fault. l did not want to keep it from
you But-but John said"
Emily stopped. The meanness Of it
all ashamed her.
81 know, l know! Adams judges
me by himself, and thought l would
turn him off as soon as heard Of it,
said Saunders, bitterly.
OF course Johns sweetheart fred up
at that
"If you've got anything to say against
John, you can say 1t to some one else
Mr.. Saunders!" she cried out.
Il haven't" he shouted back, strid.
ing off down the little path to the from
gate as Emily slammed the door.
'I'll give him a weeks wages and
turn him off," Reuben told himself
passionately. Then Emilys sweet face
rose before him. 81 can't do it
can't do it," he muttered, as he strodt
ON, his hands deep down in his trous'
er's pockets, his head bent forward or
his chest, a noble man than he thought
himself.
CHAPTER II.
1t was with heavy heart that EN-.
lily went to meet her lover the next
day, which was Saturday, and there.
fore half holiday. She had not seer
him since she told Reuben of their en-.
gagement, and was afraid to hear what
Reuben might have said to John about
it.
The first sight of Johns face wher
they met reassured her. AS l have
Sdlu DelOTe, he was HduuSOIlle yOunt
man, and as he came smilingly up tc
her, Emily felt certain that she lovet
him dearly, and that he was in every
way a more desirable man than Saun
ders Which, strange to say, was mo-
what she always thought about him II
his absence. After their usual greet
ing, they turned and walked on togeth,
er
"The boss has been very civil tc
me this morning" said John; "callet
me into that little Office of his, and sale
he thought as he'd heard of a place
as'd suit me. Kind of foremans place
down in the shires; place called Bur
dock, / think he said"
"Oh, John, how good of him!" ex
claimed the girl.
Him." said John, with a concoitec
SMILE don't you see, eh, he wants t.
get rid of me-wants me out Of tn,
way so he can come after you?"
"No-no; he knows better"
He's a precious sight too conceitec