Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-04-10

Hon. John Smith did not detain his
hearers long. He referred to the fact
that they were all more eager to attend
to the contents of their well-fllled
hampers than to anything he might
have to say. He also said that he was
anxious to leave the platform and
come down among them and seek out
and shake hands with the old friends.
Deborah felt that she must go away
by herself and recover her lost euuan.
unity. Selling upon two pals, she
insisted upon going to the spring for
water. She started of brlskly, but be-
hind the first clump OF bushes she
cast aside the pals and sat down to
give her thoughts full sway.
Miss Deborah smiled as she contem-
plated the mental pictures of her youth
full self. There she stood in her girl
ish pride, her head saucily atilt, and
mischievous light in her eyes. But
the smile was quickly followed by a
sigh, as ever faithful memory drew
the outline of a tall, awkward country
boy, who stood beside the maid.
All, now, the girls lips parted, and,
bending her head, Miss Deborah hears
the sound of light laugh. At the sound
the youth frowns, then speaks.
Dan Quincy is a common feller, and
the girl I've kept steady company with
sha'n't dance with him"
Again the girl laughs, and then in
mocking tone replies:
"a common feller is he? Well, his
of, John Smith"
"If yer ashamed Of my name now.
what'n We he when it's yer own?"
"Who says I'll ever bear any such
common name as John Smith? If
was you I'd ask the Legislature to help
me to a finer name"
"Do you mean that Deb?"
"Yes, | do"
Thus Deborah declared her independ-
ence. She supposed John would come
around that evening and make up" as
he had done SO often before, but no. he
had gone away from Hilton without a
word
At this point her reverie was broken
in upon by the voice Deborah had list
ened to so long.
why, Miss Hancock, what are you
doing here all alone"
81 was going for water" Deborah fal-
tered, pointing to the forgotten pals.
down to the old spring? I'll go and
help you haven't forgotten the way.
| believe | remember every incident Of
my nfe here Do you remember the pic
mic Just before | went away"
Deborah nodded.
DO you know I've often Thought of
that day You see, took your advice
and went to the Legislature. 1t took
time, but | finally reached there. But
decided that if could obtain a handle
to my name it would answer just as
we'll as If | changed it"
I'm afraid | was rude" Deborah
stammered
ut was the best rudeness | ever en-.
countered. 1t made me leave here, 9th.
erwise | suppose | should have lived
right along in the groove made by my
ancestors. | have always been grateful
for your scorn. 1t hurt dreadfully at
first, but | came to see the other side
of the question"
John talked of this and that, but sud-
denly he seemed to become aware of
his companions silence. He glanced at
her and in a whimsical tone said:
Deborah, doesn't the honorable mod
ify the Smith littleT'
What does a name matter, anyway
Deborah asked, impatiently; but here
we are at the spring"
IF the name doesn't matter. Deb. per
haps you'll not scorn to share it with
me now. viii you, dear?" and the
Congressman bent down low to look
H. der Deborah's hat.
"John, there's Ellen Ann staring at
MS, and with a blush Miss Deborah
withdrew her hand. but not until she
had returned the pressure of the one
which held 1.-THE Home.
--------=
When a woman gets fur cloak, and