The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-01-16

NRA - .SDnPf0 G46aA peTlOu OF enforced
AstsE&TTt8E9" rest for the coun-
sAsszk@za2ses try folk. 1t is
the season between planting and hoe
ing time. While pater familias wor.
ries over probable scant harvest in
the autumn, blythesome youth, pos
sessed of little thrift but an abun.
dance of iollity, scatters care to the
winds that howl merrily up the val.
ley, and sets himself earnestly to the
task OF winning amusement from the
providential delay.
Midway between the huge bluffs
that overtop the level plain and the
wlde, winding river that bends back
and forth exasperatingly through the
fertile meadowlands stands stately
grove of cottonwoods. This is the com
mon picknicking ground of the country
folk for many miles around, and on
these days. when the waters CLEAN,
vast and white, through the foliage,
and the farmers are waiting for the
genial sun to release the dry acres,
Huddleston's grove becomes the cen
tire of little summer day world-its
cooling depths stage where dramas
as real as any enacted among the
dwellers of the throbbing centres of
the universe are begun, played to an
ending, and the actors finally are
buried beneath the whispering will.
lows, the gurgling river and the gen
tie wind mingling In an eternal re-
QUEEN over paling guarded mound.
1t was Saturday, and the MUSES.
reigned in Huddleston's grove.
CLEANS of red and white flashed be-
tween the green branches of the cot.
tonwoods, and peals oflaughter ming
led with the strains of couple OF
carelessly tuned fddles. At q dis.
lance the sounds blended harmonious.
ly with the lazy cadence of the honey
seeking bees and the songs of the ma.
tive birds. Closer, there was an air OF
overstrained excitement and too hilar
lous jollity. No one could miss a pic
mic on Saturday, and for many miles
around Ramon station the young peo
pie had driven their buggies, forming
line in the oRter edge of the trees.
1t was mid-afternoon of Saturday
following, soon after the stirring
events in the Philippines, and proceed
ing the American celebration OF the
Fourth along the Cuban coast off Santi
ago. War was q common topic in the
Ramon settlement. Fort Leavenwortl
was not many miles away on the west
ern shore of the river, and both young
men and women were present when
the regulars marched down to the
station, CARRIED and numbered for the
fray, and boarded the waiting care.
That vision Of
Long lines oisteel In the morning,
wide, winding columns OF blue"
had remained with them. There were
some missing to-day, and if a ringing
laugh was brought to too sudder
close, or twinkling feet dragged in the
dance, perhaps a sister or sweethear
had suddenly remembered a brother
or a lover in the camps of the South
Ramon had sent her share of stalwar
sons to the field-sent them as will
lngly as any State or county-anC
feared not that the hardy ancestry tina
settled the Platte purchase would b,
well remembered on the rolls OF honor
when taps sounded the final truce o
battle.
There was one blue uniform ming
ling with the gay colors OF tht
maidens' garments in the grove, bu
that single suit OF blue, with it's fas
cinating brass buttons, was almos
enough 10 transform the peaceful
scene Of revelry into an armed camp
lt was solely due 20 the martial spiri
that breathed from the very leaves OIL
the soil Of Missouri, for, until he en-
listed a week ago, George Whaley wa,
not popular with boys or girls. III,
was bore to-day on a furlough from
Fort Leavenworth next week he woult
be en- route TO Cuba. The neighbour
were making the most Of him, and b,
was making the most Of his final op
portuuities. He had danced with th,
fairest Of the bellies, and had teaset
and bantered increasingly. Then h,
drew apart with Susan Merrill Thoy
left the dancing platform and loiterel
j beneath q great bough whence de
4 pended grapevine swing. She wa
j considered the handsomest girl i'm tn,
4 countryside. In the honest aristOcracy
j Of Drawn and health that Ramon
boosted Of, a few dollars more or les,
did not count as DISTINGUISHING
mark, but beyond her advantages o
a youth and exceeding beauty. Susar
was counted the heiress Of one 81 tn,
finest little estates on the river.
When the tete.a-tete progressed
and Whaley's hand gently rocked thu
swing, pair OF large, luminous eye
hnngrily watched the pair. II wa
plain that the green-eyed monster wa
present in Huddleston's grove, an,
was pouring bolladonna into
wounded heart. 10 was believed tina
affairs had reached q complete under
standiDg between Susan Merrill an