St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-11-02

as time went on there were evenings
, when this particular record was the
only one that he used. It started of
with storm of handclapping. Then
the music of single violin in a prelude,
and woman's voice, strong and sweet
and clear, sang:
Round my Indiana homestead wave the
cornfield,
In the distance loom the woodlands clear
and cool;
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes
of childhood
Where I first received my lessons-na-
lures school,"
Hank tried to imagine what she
would look like, and presently identi-
fed her with colored Autograph Of .
| girl feeding chickens, that had come
to him with months supply of plug
tobacco blue-eyed, aaxen-haired
maiden with round, white arms and
a preternaturally graceful form. And
SO the singer grew very real to him,
and he thought about her as he watched
his flock and ever the refrain Of the
song rang in his ears:
1.-THE moon shines bright tonight upon tho
| Wabash.
From the fields there comes the scent Of
new mown hay.
Through the sycamores the candle light IL
cleaning
| "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
I wuz expectin' to need Jesus here to
haul you back into Ell Paso. Reckon
you don't need no relief"
II sure do" said Hank. "Jesus kin
tumble out an take hold, an I'll pack
my warsack an go back with you. /
may be all right, but amt goin' to
take no chances until a fter 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-
joyed it with the abandon of children.
But suddenly Bill was aware that Hank
was gazing with far more than a,rdi-
nary interest on girl who had just |
come on the stage-a blue-eyed and
extremely golden-haired young WON
an. He nudged his friend and received |
in return a jolt in the side from Hanks |
elbow that for the moment robbed him
OF breath; for violin was playing the
prelude to "The Banks of the Wabash"
and the next moment the girl sang in
a clear, sweet voice.
Round my Indiana homestead wave the
cornfeld.
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 photograph.
"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-
", for Hank was well-looking man
and he showed something of the trepi-
aation 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
! good look at me, an see eff you think
I'll do. I'm a stranger to you, but you
lain't ter me. You've ben with me
n my shack, singin' ter me for two
months stiddy. I'd like the best kind
.r have you with me fer all Their rest
# the time there isl
Miss St. Clair looked at him for mo-
nent in amazement and then burst in
o fit of laughter. "You must be
razy," she said.
NO." said Hank, II hain't crazy.
luther. You saved me from that. I'll
ell you" And he told her, with rude 81
loquence that moved her strangely. t
l knowed when seen you an heard :
gu tonight that wuzn't mistaken" $;
e concluded. II knowed that Their a
reath of Their new-mown hay come 9
, you right there, an you seen the =
loon shinin' on Their ripples in ther :;
alter an hankered after ther OF home =
tead. You hain't satisfiev ter paint =,
p your face this-a-way an sing ter +
lob Of whisky-soaking loafers--are .,
pup"
"N-no," she half stammered. ef
'Well, then, come with me an I'll
AXE home fer you, an eff it hain't a
Apply one it won't be my fault"
"You don't know anything about b;
e. she said, quickly. ia
"Nor you don't erbout me-" er
"But I know" she said, smiling. For e,
moment OF two they looked at one ey