The Forrest City times., 1897-08-27
JESS.
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COME eight or ten years ago John ,N Mitchell was classed among the many prosperous farmers of Kentucky. Reverses came, however, and at the opening of my story he was, compara- lively speaking, very poor man. Out of the wreck he retained a few acres. which, assiduously worked by bis own hands, were his only means of support.
 His wife had been an invalid ever since Jess, their only child and daugh- ter, left college Upon her entering this institution her father paid for the full course in advance, fearing, as he said. that something might happen to de prive Jess of her one great desire-a college education.
 Being capable of filling any position that required sense and qualification, Jess was forced to refuse the few which were offered her because her father would not leave the 'old place" and move to the city and her mother needed her constant attendance. She tried her hand at story-writing, but the dozen or more that she sent out with so much faith in their availability came back.
 The wealth and poverty of the sur rounding country paid homage 10 Jess Mitchell. Whenever there was to be gathering of any kind at Judge Hew- ing's mansion she would be among the invited. And Sally Doak, whose father was "the all-fredest poorest cuss in seven states" never thought of asking "the boys and girls" to come and have "time" at her house unless Jess had promised to be there. Then Sally would make things lively around her little whitewashed home getting ready for the occasion. The night of the party would find everything as sweet and dainty as Sally herself.
 Jess would always take her violin with her, for she knew that her musical gift gave these people genuine pleasure. She was never happier than when add ing to the enjoyment of others.
 Now, to be asked to Judge Hewling's meant something" but Jess never felt the difference. She felt just as much honored in being a guest at the Doak cabin
 
 ful eye on Jess for many a day. He owned one of the finest stock farms in eastern Kentucky. This did not make nlm presumptuous as far as Jess was concerned, for he knew that dollars and cents cut no figure with her Sam was positively ugly to look at. One of the oid-umers' said that he appeared like ne wuz half made, then furgut erbout, ana us natually stopped under.''
 This may have caused his timidity in approaching Jess, but it did not pre- vent him from giving her that great Aooie heart of his, that any true woman, no matter how beautiful or fascinating sDe might be, would be proud to be queen of.
 were anyone to tell Sam that Jess .n7ught of him other than as her next o",r neighbor he would not believe it. ana although she was "oncommon x'hs to him in his last spill of sickness" sn. tolk around about said nothing but lntt Mitchell gal would be kind to al- ,n"s} anybody" Jess ''wuz a-gettin' on inyfars, according to their calculations, arc as she never he'd a reg'lar beau she "anant likely to ever hev a man."
 Uettin' on In vars" did not bother Sess' Time only added to her beauty. one had become perfectly reconciled to Her humdrum existence and went aoout her household duties without murmur.. And when, one morning in 'he early part of April, her father was stricken with paralysis while loading .ne wagon with the vegetables that he aau punched the night before, she, be- -ns convinced that there was no i'm meulate danger, took his place on the wagon drove to the city and furnished 'S customers. When Sam remon- sr srrated with her and begged her to anow one of his men to take her fa- m .aer place, proud and independent to .ne core she would not listen. Charity sne could not accept.
 roor Jess. How Sam longed to take er 10 his heart and home and to com ,or' those who were dear to her. Bu, ue. too' was proud and couldn't brook elusal' so kept silent.
 on her way to the city Jess happened , thlnk of MT. Williams, whom she A. Iau heard her father laud as an early
 He was wealthy land owner .sr, houston, Tex, and was stopping 1t
 me Louisville" Every morning he uu Jess father would have a chat. arople were wont to say that John ~. ,4' 4'ehell could not speak for five min- ;" es on any subject without chiming
 "ith my daughter" Of course he Iue no exception to Mfr Williams. ., Jess made for 'sThe Louisville" first, thinking that she would beat the arly bird," for she did feel out of s"s-ee n a vegetable wagon. It was hard