Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-04-29

nm mately- Andrew
was educated in
country school in the district of Cedar
Narrows, southern Ohio. His peculiar
memory had stored up quotations from
all the school readers of 25 years ago.
and he quoted from the Bible as well.
Andrew was in love. The object of his
regard was Desire Wentworth, second
daughter of DIR. Wentworth, and a shy,
refined-looking girl she was. Andrew
had been in love with Desire off and on
ever since DR.. 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 b1ong on
this side, 'ceptin' teachers. Take them
buds down from there"
Andrew saw a fiaxen-haired girl whose
pouting lips were quivering and whose
big blue eyes were filling with tears,
and he shouted: Charge, Chester,
charged" and drove Will Watson out
into the school yard, where he beat a
wild tattoo on his back. After that
Desires sunbonnet 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
timid to recite anything, but she wrote
beautiful essays on Spring" "Flow-
ers," and kindred subjects. So thought
Andrew, and he was considered a good
judge of essays, having recited so many.
AS was the custom, Andrew gradu-
ated from the district school at the age
of 81 by ceasing to attend. AS he was
leaving the schooIhouse on his last day
of school he was heard to exclaim:
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
to free it from the debt that had bur-
dened it since his fathers death. This
task was accomplished by the time he
was IS, and he began to entertain Sc
rious thoughts of marrying. His
mother 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, but he feared to tell his
love lest he should tell it "in mournful
numbers" and life would be to him
thereafter but "an 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, reprovingIy, as
she saw Desires flushing cheek.
well, 1 think myself it's time he
proposed" said Phebe, the oldest girl,
who was embroidering the regulation
Christmas gift for the new minister.
"Here he has been coming twice a
week for six or eight years, and all he
does is to quote. l don't believe he
ever had an original thought in his
life"
There came a knock at the door and
Nancy tiptoed out into the kitchen, fol-
lowed by Phebe with her embroidery.
Desires cheeks were flushed and tears
were not far from her eyes, for she was
sensitive on both points upon which
her sisters had touched. While she en-
joyed Andrews quotations herself and
was proud of his wonderful memory,
she did not like to have him laughed
at; and as she had been expecting a
proposal from him for more than n year
now its delay somewhat nettled her
peaceful disposition. So when she
opened the door for Andrew this even
ing she was not altogether herself.
Good evening" said Andrew. The
north wind doth blow, and we shall
have snow, and what viii poor robin do
then, poor thing?"
'-Goof evening, AndrA-," said Ms.
Wentworth, as she placed a chair for
him. How does your mother stand
this first cold snap?"
Not veEy we'll, am sorry to say
replied Andrew. "'Yes, the year is
growing old, and his eye is pale and
bleared.'
"You ought to get some one to help
your mother, Andrew" said kindly Mrs
Wentworth; 1.-The work is too hard for
her.
Eyes, have been thinking of it.
Come over into Macedonia and help
u.s." said Andrew, looking at Desire.
This was almost too much for the
gravity of even Mrs. Wentworth, and
she made her escape from the room as
soon as she properly could. Desire saw
the half-concealed amusement of her
mother and it did not tend to smooth
down her already ruffied feelings.
Andrew had not as yet noticed any
thing unusual in Desires conduct, he
was so filled with his own intentions.
He had started out that evening deter
mined that sink or swim, live or die,
survive or perish" he would give his
heart and hand" to Desire. He was re-
solved that there should be no quoting
in the matter either.
IF it SHOWS tonight won't the merry
sleighbeils jingle tomorrow, SAID ne
after Mrs. Wentworth's departure.
u suppose they WILL" said Desire in
constrained tone.
Desire" said Andrew, fearing an IN
terruption, and coming TO the point at
once. 81 came over to ask you ques-
ton OF great importance to me: 10
be or not to be- that is, o, beg your
pardon"
Here he paused much confused, ana
Desires heart nearly popped out of her
mouth. Before he could proceed Nancy
came in from the kitchen TO get skeln