The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-04

Old Tobe Spite was rightly named. lie
was so ''pizen,'' the hoys Of tho Bear
wallow neighborhood declared, that no
didn't know good "licker'' from bad.
But be was ghne old fellow. He would
willingly step out and take his chances
with the best man In tho community.
Bravery, though romarcers scoff at so
unhallowed an idea, Is not the exclusive
inheritance OF the gentle, for towards are
sometimes men OF gentle bearing, and
brave men are often rough AMI unsympa-
thetic.
Old Tobs had no famiiy--that Is, he had
no wife. He and his daughter, u hand
some girl with eyes which seemed evei
making q motion for q new trisl-or np-
peaiing eyes, IL you insist upon the ox-
pression--lived In an old log house 40
crowded In among trees that IL was
almost hidden from view. The girl,
whom the old man called Jep. had had
many suitors. Every plowboy and syery
wooachopper In the nsiphborhood had In
turn fallen in love with her, and each one
had been successfully frightened away by
the vicious old man. Jep sympathized
with her lovers, OF course, but their defeat
gave her small concern. ns none OF them
had succeeded In winning her affections.
There came a doy, however. when heavy
sorrow fell upon her. A young fellow
named Luke bly, moved into the Eeigh-
borLood and rented farm near old Tobe's
place He was active and strong and
about his face there was an expression
which all women like. IN expression
which TO them makes nm ugly face low
able, an expression dffioult to describe.
but which Is often said to be one Of half
humorous, half melancholy tenderness
Luke first met the girl &C church. Old
Brother Brizsntinc. the circuit rider, was
hammerinR In the dullest way at his
text. ana Luke, having y orked hard the
previous day had regun TO nod when
suddenly he caught sight Of u beautiful
face, hs started and rubbed his eyes,
half believing that he had renlly been
dreaming. nut then, catching sight OF IL
again, he straighteped up, and during
the rest OF the long sermon showed lot
the slightest inclination to siumber.
When the preacher had pronounced his
long delayed benedictiou, BY, addressing
AN acquaintance said:
See that Young woman standin over
thar Waal, want you ter INTRODUCES me
ter her. Hangeu ef she amt the finest
crop that natur' ever tried ter raise. "
"I'll give you the necess ry knockin
down ter her, ;" was the reply. but III
tell you now that 10 won't do no good"
That's all right. III take my
chances"
The Introduction was performed, and
although the girls beauty had so deeply
impressed BLY,, he exhibited no sign Of
EN- mbarrassinent. but with gay readiness
began TO tell her cf n spirited colt which
after much danger of having his own life
slammed ont against the ground, ne had
Just succee led In breaking. This very
lack of restraint Interested the girl, but
il did not interest old Spite, for, brus-
quely advancing, he said:
Come on here, now, Jap. Amt got
no tune ter be foolin' erway. Got ter stir
round an git up = little sumpin ter eat
when we GIT home.
"I'Il 60 with you." Bly, declared.
WHAT the old man exclaimed IL
said that I'll 60 with YOU i"
II con kaow you s1h. 2"
Waai, you Amt no worse of than
am, for don't know you"
"Ah, ha, an / don't think it's neces-
ssry that we should know each other
Come on. Jep."
He led the girl away. BLY, did not fol-
low. bus, smiling, and then slowly shak-
ing his head with deeper meaning.
turned away. lie anxiously awaited the
coming Of the next Sunday. He dresssd
himself win more pains than he had
ever taken before He writed almost
tremulously after arriving at church,
hut the girl did not come. After awhile
old Spite came alone, BLY,, VINO sat near
the door. stole out lie went over TO old
Spite's house. Jep was sitting in the
doorway. When she saw him, she became
much excited.
II wish you hadn't comel' she ex-
clained.
"Mhy?"
"Oh, cause pap won t like It,"
"What makes him sn curiousr'
81 don't know"
"Waal, thar ain't no sense In &C. This
beats any neiuhhorhood eyer saw.
Thar amt no less'n a dozen old feliers
In 1t that don't want nobody ter see ther
daughters. lt amt right"
They think IL is, " the girl reioined
"Waal, but human natur' says IL
mint"
But par. he don't Keer nuthin fur
human natur." M.t
'Wush you'd hand me,a cheer, an I'll
set down outside.
she obeye He sat down and then with
manner ali gontleness md with words
soft and engaging, talked until he saw
the old man coming. He did not wait.
however, until old Spike saw him. for,
acting upon the deep solicitude of the
girl he stole away. After this BY Of
ten met Jep. He Soll his love She dis
Puis' q not her afTet tions. They were en-
gagged. The old man discovered the
secrst. He dit not fly into a rage. but
with dangerous sts sidiness Of voice said:
Il Will Kill him whsn we meet -
lie repeated this declaration, and some
one toli BLY,. You will have Co Kill
him. Biv. lie will waylsy yor. Ore
evening. Just before New Year :. while
Bly, was riding along road, n buileu