River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-10-10

From the fields there comes the scent of
new mown hay,
Through the sycamores the candle light is
cleaning
On the banks of the Wabash. far away"
"Well, you don't seem to have SUI
fered none,'' said Bill Williams, when
he drove up to the camp two months
later. Fat and happy, by Jinks. And
| wuz expectin' to need Jesus here to
haul you back into Ell Paso. Reckon
you don't need no relief"
81 sure do" said Hank. "Jesus kin
tumble out an take hold, an I'll pack
my warsack an go back with you. l
may be all right, but amt goin' to
take no chances until after I've taken
in the town fer awhile
So the Mexican took hold" and
Hank went back to Ell Paso with his
photograph and drew his wages.
The second night of his relaxation
he and his friend William were at
tracted by the lights and the show bills
at the door of theater. They went in.
1t was about the usual programme
juggling, dancing, singing, dialogue
all the rest of it, and the two men en-
ioyed it with the abandon of children.
But suddenly Bill was aware that Hank
was gazing with far more than ordi-
nary interest on a girl who had just
come on the stage-a blue-eyed and
extremely golden-haired young wom-
an. He nudged his friend and received
in return jolt in the side from Hank S
elbow that for the moment robbed him
of breath; for violin was playing the
prelude to ''The Banks of the Wabas I"
and the next moment the girl sane in
clear, sweet voice.
Round my Indiana homestead wave the
cornfield,
In the distance loom the woodland clear
and cool;
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes
Where / first received my lessons-na-
lures school.
1t was the voice of the phonograph
Where you going?" asked William.
"The show amt over yet. Sit down"
I'm goin' ter see that gal," said
Hank, determinedly. You kin wait or
not, jest as you darn please" He
worked his way with some difficulty
behind and presently was confronted
with Miss Mae st. Clair.
"Well?" said the singer, not unkind-
ly, for Hank was a well-looking man
ard he showed something Of the trepi-
dation he felt, though he had been
bluff and peremptory enough with the
men who had barred his way. "You
want me?"
That's what" replied Hank, simply.
"What is it?"
Il jest told you. / want you. Take
a good look at me, an see eff you think
I'll do. I'm stranger to you, but you
hain't ter me. You've ben with me
IN my shack, singin' ter me for two
months stiddy. I'd like the best kind
ter have you with me fer all Their rest
of the time there is"
Miss ST. Clair looked at him for mo-
ment in amazement and then burst in
to a fit of laughter. "You must be
crazy" she said.
'No," said Hank, 81 hain't crazy.
uubhCIs I Ou SdNCu me from that. III
tell YOU" And he told her, with rude
eloquence that moved her strangely.
81 knowed when / seen you an heard
you tonight that / wuzn't mistaken"
he concluded. 81 knowed that Their
breath of Their new-mown hay come
to you right there, an you seen the
moon shinin' on Their ripples in Their
water an hankered after Their OF home
stead. You hain't satisfied ter paint
up your face this-a-way an sing ter
mob of whiskysoaking loafers-are
your"
'N-no," she half stammered.
swell, then, come with me an I'll
make home fer you, an eff it hain't
happy one it won't be my fault"
'You don't know anything about
me-" she said, quickly.
'Nor you don't erbout me-"
"But know" she said, smiling. For
a moment or two they looked at one
another very earnestly. Then Hank
put out his hand and she put hers with