Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-16
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THE wHIRL OF THE YEARS, !
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Scarcely had fine white-hared min.
lister finished his benediction before
the little country church became a
scene of hustle and excitement. Dea'
con Whites pew was besieeed by
many anxious inquirers. Offering va.
-rious tried and true medicinal formu-
las, advice, and condolences relating
to his afflicted household. In another
part of the structure the members
of the missionary society compared
heights and sizes of their respective
masculines, in shrill and piercing
tones. while looking to the proper MI
ting out of their annual box oil cloth
ing destined for worker among saw
age tribes beyond seas. Several other
minor eddies of local effort also ebbed
and flowed nigh unto these main
whirlpools. AT the very door OF the
building. surrounded by little knot
of like companions, stood tall wei!
set-up had, dressed in sober black,
and bearing most unmistakable air
OF suppressed excitement about him.
80 you're going away tomorrow,
Oh? Goodbye and good luck to you,
Robbie This was tht stereotNpe1
form in which nearly everybody
greeted him. After thus speaking
they would shake him by the hand
most cordially and move ON. How
ever, many added some original con-
eeits OF their own.
"You will find that the city boys
are no great ways, ahead of you. so
far as real education is concerned.
feel confident you will reflect credit
upon our academy This was the
contribution of the tall, thin school
master, who having held his position
among them scarcely more than three
wears or so, was generally regarded
in the light of a newcomer.
ALWAYS wear red flannel next your
ride amh drink plenty of boneset tea
If you feel chills creepin' over you
like" volunteered Aunt BeIsey Drum
mond, who regarded the city as a
place where fell disease lurked at
every corner.
you'll make success of it l
Know" chirped the local magnate.
ANYONE with the Wade blood in them
is bound to get along"
Specimens Of these parting saluta-
TORS coud be given internlnably,
but the foregoing must suffice. Need
less to say. they were all kindly IN
tone, hearty in manner and sincere
in sentiment, even If they occasionally
seemed to verge uro the ridiculous
when viewed from other lights.
The Deacon having passed through
his lay catechism most satisfactor-
ily, and the missionary members ad-
iusted the distribution to their own
If not to the far-distant benefciary's
complete vindication, the congrega.
ton began ito dlsperse.
1t was a beautiful star-lit evening.
Upon either hand the winding road
way struggled off in completely ire
sponsible fashion. toward where rls-
ing caves and darkly Swallowed barns
betokened human habitaltons. Back
Of all rose THE dimly outlined nloun-
tain range, which served as an ef-
fectrlal barrier to the introduction of
such peace and Notwithstanding
items of modern civilization as the
bosterous railroad and monotonons
factory building. The single kero'
sene lamp in the front entry cast a
modicum of light upon the steps lead.
ing down to the ground level. Within
it's range stood the usual group of
waiting SWANS, apparently oblivious
Of one another's purpose. The young
maidens came out in laughing groups
but soon paired off with their de
stined courtiers; while the staid old
and hopeless slowly melted away in
the direction of their several abiding
places.
One of the Younger couples seemed
TO walk with leaden feet and turned
aside from the main road at certain
little by-pa'th.
Its just lovely evening, isn't it?'
remarked Robert Wade, in perfectly
matter-of-faet tones.
No answer came from Miss Edith
Morrison, the youthful belle OF the
village, generally accustomed to chat
ter continuously and laughing with
or without the slightest provocailon
did you hear that Bill Emmons
had sold his place to some fellow
down Warsaw way, Hadkins they say
his name is, and Why, Edith, do
believe you're crying?"
His question received ample anral
and visual answer in the next few
coonp1c