The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-01-12
.opp.nlng within talking di.tane..

proaches. He easily maintained hia
oi.-hand, smiling manners, as II he wert
rather melting to good-humored In.
diligence toward stranger than fall
ing under the spell of her attraction,
No one ever got q chance to make Jim
ridiculous.
As for the girl, her reception Of this
nascent acquaintance was in perfect
form. Quite without show Of embar'
rassment she made no sign OF pretense
or offishness. Why should she not be
glad 10 learn something of the ways Of
this spirited young fellow, who had
looked at her perhaps rather vigorous
ly, but not in way to call for any other
defense than she always had about her!
When things are managed in this
mastery way, the malice of on-lookers
is stifled Mt birth. II is weakness that
invites troublesome comment. The
strong may lead their affairs through
the crowd without molestation. The
smiles that followed this progressive
pair were rather Of approval than de-
rision. There may have been jokes, but
the mean and bitter ones are saved for
feebler victims.
Some days later the new girl hap
pened to reach the packing-house few
minutes earlier than the general arriv.
al. The doors were all open and the
place was freshly swept, but no one was
in sight as she reached the doorway,
Then she heard quick steps, and the
grader-man stood before her.
He was ready for his opportunity, foi
signs had been in his favor in the days
just past.
"Your clock fast?' he said, sweeping
his eyes over the several approaches
and finding that the nearest corners
were some minutes distant.
II don't know-I didn't look at it.
just came when l felt ready. Maybe
twas the splendid morning thathurried
me-"
1T is splendid morning, isn't it?'
said he; and there was something in
his smile that seemed somehow less
careless than usual. ~ feel little In a
hurry myself" he went on, noting the
freshness OF the morning light on her
inquiring face. and astonished little
at his own audacity. How much can
say before those girls get here?"
II don't know" laughed the girl, but
her cheeks flushed little; II have
pavar baa I'd yn,, tryv
II can say this, anyway want you
to say you like me and that can walk
home with you sometimes, and that
you'll go to church with me next Sun
day"
She looked none the worse to him us
took unwonted posses.
sion of her face, and he saw that she
wanted 10 look away, but would not.
Not far was she tipped off her poise.
She answered proudly, stil1 laughingly,
and a stray lock, escaped from her
hat, danced at him on the edge of her
as light breeze whisked by.
"You can say good deal in minute;
but I think you are too much in hurry.
If you should walk homo with me this
evening, you would have more time.
Isn't ita splendid morning!"s she shout
ed to four girls who were coming up the
walk and who wondered at her exhilara.
tion as she whirled toward them. The
grader-man climbed to his perch and
watched few angels among the rafters
as he waited in sublime patience for the
OF his industry.
A week or two after this the Missouri
girl came late and without her lunch
pail. Jim saw that her face was ead
and weary. He had never seen 1t so. and
il sank deepint his heart. She glanced
at him. but walked right past and spoke
to the manager, who looked regretful,
but consenting, and they went o the
pay-desk together. Then she walked TO
the door, There she hesitated a mo-
ment.
sect on here" said Jim quickly, to
one of the bumpers, climbing down
from his seat and not stopping to see
his orders obeyed. They walked slowly
toward the street. and the curious eyes
that followed them were sober-some
of them sympathetic.
Her sister, for whose recovery she
had come to California and for when
she had been determinedly hopeful,
had just been pronounced to be in n
sinking condition, and desired to go
back to her mother. Beneath this grief
the brave girl was also hiding fore
taste OF the loss Of this new friendship,
and 1t had suddenly become known to
her how deeply her life and hope were
involved.
The interview was short, but IL left
notable effect in the girls bearing, as
she moved rapidly away, and Jim came
in with look in his face that might
have been borrowed from an old Italian
painting,
At noon he stopped the manager.
Gould You put some one In my place ?
George Barnes would do all right. I
want TO 60 to Missouri in the morning"
"All right, Jim," said the manager.
The packing-house ratified on merri-
ly through the season. It's output was
various and sundry. Jim, on his jour
ney, was attended by four words that
bummed forever th roupb b;e bead with