Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-11-18

DuJ ulaue US nOtn come flght IN 10 SL D.
per. / didn't exactly calculate on doin'
this, but Mary locked like she wanted
to, so | did. They tried 10 make me
dance, but don't know how. 1t was the
openin' of new summer hotel, you
know. A young fellow that set next 10
me at the table, and was mighty polite
In handin' me everything, said he was
gonter be there at the hotel for some
time, and that we mus come round
often. OF course, / asked him TO come
see us, too. He was pretty glib talker.
When we was leavin and tellin' every
body good-by and promisin' to come
again soon, | heard lady from New
/ York say to another one: Wouldn't
she be a queen with the right trainin'?'
We got in the spring wagon and drove
home, and she was jes' all excitement
tellin' me what time they had that
day and how / ought TO learn to dance.
1t was beautiful night, and il made me
SO happy TO know she was enjoyin' her
self so.
1.-TWO days after some ladies drove
round in their carriages and asked her
10 go TO the springs with IN again. She
said No. but when she seen | was anX-
ious to have her go, she went with them.
They drove back after supper, her and
the two ladies and young man, and
they all told me ought TO have been
there. That night she seemed kinder
rnresless. She talked heap bout the
I zee things they'd all said bout her at
ha l,,t f1xr tai
how nice it would he if we could go an
travel an go TO New York an every
where, an she said we ought to read
books an the like, an that a lady there
said what she needed was cultivatin'. I
didn't like this, talltin' bout her like
she was field 10 be plowed up, stead
Of flower jes' 10 grow an bloom nat
ural, an when told her this she jes'
laughed and slapped her hands over my
mouth. She went 10 the springs right
regular for time. then she wouldn't
go no more. Somebody sent her some
books, sour or five Of m. She COM
menced TO read one of IN out loud 10 me
one night. Twas a nice story about
some rich folks, some artists, and how
they was lovin' each other, and the
things they went 70. but while got TO
likin' the pesky books after awhile, I
told her all the time that Il was jes'
stories, and that there wasn't no such
folks in Paris or New York or any
where else. Since she was teachn' me
a-readin' ont loud. I took 10 teachn'
her, tellin' her what I thought bout the
books. ! told her that life was a reality,
and that even if there was such 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 if
wrote books.
MAYBE II was readin' in them durn
hooks bout the fashion an the wealthy,
or Taybc II was them people at the
springs put foolish notions in her head.
or maybe II was ies cause she come TO
know she was too good an pretty for
mar like me- but anyhow she COM
menst TO pine an droop like a flower
that'S witherin'. I'd beg her 10 go 10
the springs an enjoy herself like she
was invited 10 do, but il warnt no use.
She wouldn't do il. AFTER bout a week
Of this thing that same lady from New
York drove up 20 our gate and asked
Mary 10 come in and pay a visit 10 her at
the springs. She wanted her 10 stay as
long as she would, and then Mary did |
agree 10 90 and stay n week, maxim the |
condition that | was 10 come TO see her |
every day. It's lonesome time | had |
then. ! didn't 60 to see her but three
days, and every day it seem 10 me | was
than before. so I thought |
better not 60 no more and let the chile
enjoy her visit. 1t look 10 me like the
harder | try 10 please her the more
things would 20 wrong. Wimmin folks
IS curious little things, stranger, and a
awkward fellow like me don't know ies'
how to handle EN-. ! had done mort
ragged my farm again an went in town
ind brought her silks and dresses and
yloves jes' the right size, and when she
zee m she jes' cried an said was too
rood TO her. Then got her piano.
but nothiu' would suit. This was befo'
he went for the last time TO the springs.
The things Is all at home now. but
lever wants 10 see them AGAIN. an if
Tod spares me ! never will. There's
lothin' else TO say now, but that ! lef'
cause couldn't stan the sympathy and
he talkin' of the neighbors after got
his letter"
Here he paused and took from the
inside pocket Of his corduroy coat
quare envelope addressed in a round,
irish hand. The faint odor of violet
achet which had once permeated the
ages could still be detected, though
Mingled somewhat with the aroma Of
obacco. II read;
IL hope that you VIII understand and for
I've me- Jack, although ] know that God
ever Will. ! was never happy with you.
nd | never was able 10 make YOU happy.
noble, unselhsh man like you deserves |
better wife. When you get this will be
ar away. Don't try to fad me- for you
ever can. MARY"
After the correspondent had read and
aturned the letter, both men were
lent. They watched the little knots OF
Ulcers and privates talking tOpcther