Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-07-21

they all told me ! ought to have been
there That night she seemed kinder
unresless. She talked Il heap bout the
nice things they'd all said bout her at
the springs, but mostly talked bout
how nice it would be if we could go an
travel an go to New York an every
where, an she. said we ought to read
books an the IKE, an that lady there
said what she needed was cultivatin'.
didn't like this, talllin' bout her like
she was a field to be plowed up, stead
of q flower jes' to grow an bloom nat
ural, an when l told her this she jes'
laughed and slapped her hands over my
mouth. She went to the springs right
regular for n time, then she wouldn't
go no more. Somebody sent her some
books, Sour or five of m. She COM
menced to read enc of IN out loud to me
one night. Twas nice story about
some rich folks, some artists, and how
they was lovin' each other and the
things they wen: to, but while I got to
likin' the pesly books after awhile,
told her all the time that it was jes'
stories, and that there wasn't no such
folks in Paris or New York or any
where else. Since she was teachin' me
a-readin' out loud, took to teachn'
her, tellin' her what I thought bout the
books. told her that life was a reality,
and that even if there was snch people,
they wasn't no better off than us. cause
there's advantages an disadvantages
everywhere, an it all mounts to bout
the same, an everything in its place is
the best. That's the way I'd write II
wrote books.
"Maybe 1t was rcadin' in them durn
books bout the fashion an the wealthy.
or maybe ii was them people ut the
springs put foolish notions in her head
or maybe 1t was jcs' cause she come to
know she was too good an pretty fora
mar Ike me, but anyhow she COM
menst to pine an droop like flower
that's witherjn'. I'd beg her TO go to
the springs an enjoy herself like she
was invited TO do. bet it warnt no use.
She wouldn't do it, AFTER bout n week
Of this thing shat same lady from New
York drove up 20 our gate and asked
Mary to come in and pay visit to her at
the springs, She wanted her to stay as
long as she wotild, and then Mary did
agree to go and stay week, maxim the
condition that was to come to see heI
every day. It's lonesome time had
then. I didn't So 10 see her bat three
days. and every day it seem 10 me l was
unwelcomer than before, so I thought !
1 better not go no more and let The chile
enjoy her visit. It look 10 rae like the
harder ! Try 10 please her the more
things would so wrong. Wimmn folks |
awkward fellow like me don't know ies' |
how to handle 'cm. had done mort
gagged my farm agnin an went In town |
and brought bar silks and dresses and |
gloves 1es' the right size, aud when she
see IN she jes' cried an said was too
good To her. Then I got her a lfaro
but nothin' would suit This was befo
she went for the last time to the springs
The things is oil at neme now, but |
never wants 10 see them again, an If
God spares me | pever will. There's
nothip' else 10 say now, but that lef'
cause couldn't stan the sympathy and
the talliir' OF the neighbors after got
this letter"
Hero lie paused and took from the
inside pocket OF his corduroy coat a
square envelope addressed in round,
girlish hand. The faint odor of violet
sachet which had once permcated the
pages could still be detected. though
mingled somewhat with the aroma Of
tobacco. 1t read;
Il hope that you viii understand and for
giV1 ine. Jack, although know that God
never will. ! was never happy with you,
and I never was able to make you happy.
\ noble, unselllsh man Ike you deserves
better wife, When Yeu set this 1 will be
far cHay. Don't try TO find ne, for you
never can. MARY"
After the correspondent hal read and
returned the letter, both men were
silent. They watched the little knots OF
officers and privates talking together
under the shade trees, the squads OF I'M
uniformed recruits crossing the
grounds 10 their various commands, the
amateur cooks preparing the midday
meal, and al OF the lazy restlessness Of
camp life. The Hancock volunteer was
the first to speak. What posters me
most in the letter" he SAID In voice
tremulous with suppressed emotion, "is
that she says that she knows that God
never will forgive her, and sure God Of
there is any shouldn't be mere unfor
giyin' than one Of His creatures, III
bleved prayers was ever answered, I'd
be preyin' {or that little girl now, but
as 'tis the bes' thing can do is to go to
tho front an fight for my courtry."+
ST. Loh;s Globe-Democrat.