The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-06-13
Black Bull was not an or
dinary inn-rather survival
of the wayside house OF rest.

IIleuu.
On each side the porch were benches
where the farmers sat on market
days exchanging the gossip OF the
countryside. Indoors the best kitchen
was the gathering place.
On a certain March morning fire
OF pine logs blazed in the crate, and
the side window was thrown open TO
let the breeze from the pine wood
stray in. Contrary 10 precedent the
hostess of the Black Bull was spin
ster. While her father lived she had
set aside all offers Of marriage, and
stood staunchly between the old man
and his besetting sin OF conviviality
till she laid him, honored and lament
ed. in the kirkyard on the hill.
One suitor had remained persistent,
Robert Jardlne, of The Willows. His
farm was on the Dumfriesshire hill,
and he looked down on the Black Bull
from its gable windows. But he did
not content himself with that. He was
a frequent visitor, and Esther MOrrl-
sons face took tinge of pink, and
she gave n hasty touch 10 her smooth
hair as she heard his voice in the
porch. She was prim, precise young
woman with fixed ideas, and Robert
Jardine was oasy-going and genial; so,
by law OF contrasts, they were made
for one another. He was man of few
words, and IL was enough for him to
stand with his back to the fire, strOk-
ing his brown beard, and watching Es-
ther. No one would have taken him
for a wooer, and yet in his slow fash
ion, he was bearing down steadily on
the port OF matrimony.
ITS real heartsOme up yOndCr the
now" he said. "The sOle-thorn's a. in
bloom in the lane, an the brides are
singin and the lambs skippIn' in the
meadow-it's real heartsome at The
Willows"
1t was not the first time Esther had
heard the charms Of The Willows,
varied only by the season.
II wouldn't wonder" she a1sented
"The country's aye nice in the spring
time. Is it good season for the
lambs, RobertT
"Well, haze seen better. There's
good few o. them dousy enough like
I'm no so rich the year as ! thought
TO be. Ye see, ! was reckonin' on get
tin the house new papered an painted
this spring. but" with wistful glance
at her, I'm waitn'."
Esther smiled.
John Robinson was askin me If
you'd n mind to sell the Black Bull
He'd give We a good price fort" He
did not look At her again. for he knew
by heart the obstinate upcast of her
chin when he mooted this topic
'An' what for would sell the Black
Bull Robert Jardine? Folk shouldna
be in haste to make changes. They'll
be the longer o ruein' them"
He sighed.
"Well, / must he movin' home,
though there's nobody carln' much
what road | 60. I'm missin the old
mother more every day"
The words touched her. She held
out her hand, and IL was lost in his.
"Some day, Robert, maybe there will
be one to watch for your hame comm"
His face flushed, and he laid his |
hands on her shoulder, but she drew |
back.
"oh, I'm no sayin' who 1t will be-"
she added.
There's but one woman in the world |
for me, an well ye ken that Esther" |
he said sternly, and strobe away.
The little town among the hills was |
an uneventful spot, and sensations |
were rare and precious. One Of these |
was the yearly visit of Signor jacob
with his circus and menagerie. 1t was
the market day, and crowds stood |
gaping at the gay procession. In start.
ling contrast with the ladies in velvet |
and spangles was monster ape in a |
cage bringing up the rear. His crafty. |
old bewrinkled face looked out from |
between the bars, and he put forth |
a stealthy hand to seize an inquisitive |
old farmers spectacles or snatch n |
SWANS gay netktie. Suddenly. no one
could tell how or why, hubbub arose |
-shrieks and jostling and scrimmagc. |
The fastenings of the apes cage had |
given way, and, with n wild dash for |
freedom, he bounded, iabbering and |
chattering. over the heads of the ter.
rifed crowd. Signor jacob smoked
his pipe that afternoon in the porch of
the Black Bull. The performance was
postponed, while his troupe scattered
In quest of the missing member.
He has the cunning of fifty foxes.
has old largo" he said. "He has
doubled on me more than once: but he
turns up when he gets hungry. He's
a crafty old boy"
You'll come with me to the show
Estherr' asked Jardine, who loved
variety entertainment.
mo, no. Robert. | cannot leave the
house. promised the maids 10 let
them go; besides, have my accounts
TO make up. must be bankin' my
money"
You are gettin' TO be rich woman.
Esther. l wish The Willows was dom
as well as the Black Bull; sheep farm.
in is risky business"
She looked at him anxiously. She
knew that his father had been a
"waster,' aud IL was uphill work 10
restore the farm to prosperity: but II
was not her way TO express sympathy.
The town was very quiet next even.
ing every one who could afford il was
at the circus. The side windows Of the
best kitchen were wide open. and the
. spring breeze waited the muslin cur.
tains inward. Esther sat az a table