Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-05-02
a LBERT WHITNEY knew that he

4 LBERT WHITNEY knew that he
~ could not marry. He was sensi-
Die fellow. on the whole, and realized
that It would be sheer idiocy TO ask
woman TO share his hall bedroom.
Yet Albert was in love.
Every Sunday in church he sat op-
posite Miss Gladys Pennington, and
thought Of her far more than he did
OF the sermon.
Miss Pennington's father was re-
tired carpet manufacturer, with a
tidy fortune, to which Gladys and her
brother James were sole heirs.
Albert was clerk in a wholesale
hardware store and. by hard labor,
earned ten dollars week. OF this
Ave dollars went 10 his landlady.
The moth sighed for the star, and
Albert sighed for Miss Pennington,
The moth and the star were hardly
further apart than Albert Whiting
and Gladys Pennington. Albert had
never spoken TO her; she barely knew
that he existed.
What, then, were Albert's feelings
when, one day, after church, Mr.. Amos
Pennington pompously approached him
and invited him 10 dine at his house
on the following Sunday? He blushed
like a girl, and stammered out an ac-
ceptance. Fortunately, Mr.. Penning-
ton did not wait for more. The invi-
tation which meant so much for Al
he a.. f,.. r1x fha Ifush N 20 A
of a rather disagreeable duty which
he admired himself for performing.
He would have been thunderstruck at
a refusal Every year he obtained
from the pastor OF the congregation,
of which he had long been senior
deacon, n list OF the young men who
were punctual at church and sum
moned them TO dinner. The good
man liked 10 encourage piety and be-
slowed invitations on these exemplary
young men in precisely the same spir-
IL with which he awarded prize books
for regular attendance at Sabbath
school"
The following Sunday, when Albert
entered the Pennington drawing
room, punctually at two, he was sur
prised TO find already there, besides
the host, his wife. his son and daughA
ter, Is black-coated individuals with
all Of whom he was pretty well ac-
quainted. The assembly reminded
him OF special meeting Of the
"Young Mems union"
II fell to Albert 10 escort Miss PEN
nington in 20 dinner. lie, poor lad,
was overwhelmed with the honor.
He did not know that father Penning-
ton, who exercised a strict supervi-
sion OF his daughters acquaintance,
had chosen him as the most harmless
and unassmming OF the 10 young men.
Albert could think OF absolutely no
remark with which 20 open conver-
sation. Miss Pennington, entirely at
ease, saw his blushes with more pity
than wonder. She was accustomed
10 her fathers duty dinner parties
and rather expected the guests TO be
awed- Mr.. Whitney's shyness spoke
In his favor, as a tribute OF respect
% her father. Mr.. Pennington had
brought his children up TO strict OBJ
scrvnnce OF the fifth commandment.
at is rather warm for the time OF
year" quoth the young lady, break
ing the Ice.
Albert raised his eyes and assent
ed. lie would have done so had Miss
Pennington said that II was cold
What nice eyes he has," thought
abe. II was unusual for Gladya, TO
notice mans eyes, at was fright
fully hot at the lake last August" :"
she said, aloud. ~ think Il could
hardly have been warmer In town"
ut wasn't bad In town, except In
the middle OF the day." replied Al
bert, brAyely.
80 you were not fortunate enough
90 be away on your vacationY'
Albert laughed. "No, | have my
vacations in November 1t was then
October.
That must be nice for shooting"
murmured Miss Pennington. vaguely.
"fou hunt, don't you?"
81 fish n little" answered Albert
There was another silence. Miss
Pennington turned to her other
neighbor. Then Albert found cour-
age 20 speak TO his, q young man
whom he knew quite well.
A November vacation was Hobson's
choice with Albert. Sometimes, n
trade was active, he got none at all
He came last on the list OF clerks at
Jobson's, But, when he could, he
thankfully packed his bag and went
TO spend two weeks in the Wisconsin
woods with his only living relative, a
great-uncle.
Great-uncle Morris was fond OF the
boy and good 10 him, His log cabin
and little farm would hardly support
one, and Uncle Morris held II the duty
OF every man 20 DO his share Of the
worlds work. Albert did what he
could for Uncle Morris. lie bought a
small stock OF groceries and shipped
thau, ah.al - hts annual .t.g,. l..