Middletown transcript., 1902-10-25

tor OF the village sniithy
md This, Be it understood, despite
spice 81 pugnacisy, which had habit OF
asserting itself with agerayating frequency
and in fashion that, to quote Yankee
ism, considerably "riled'' those who ven
tured to array themselves in opposition
to aJim's'' strongly-expressed opinions.
The blacksmith of Primrose Garth-as
the charming picturesque spot in which
be resided was called-was looked up to
as man Of light and leading. OF course
be had his rivals for premier honors, the
chief being the tailor and the shoemaker;
but even these, apart from the stormy
passions Of debate, and the meetings ot
the parish council-wherein there was al-
ways sturdy struggle for pre-eminence-
generously acknowledged that Jim" was
not without brains, adding the saving
clause that, unhappily, he often enough
failed to put them to good account. with
his ''superiors" Ransome was not on the
best of terms. The fact is that his views
on many subjects we're of an "advanced's
type, and found little favor with the par
son and the squire, who, while they con-
tinued to patronize his smithy, never
failed to impress him with their opinion
that he was firebrand, and very dan
gerous one, too, so far as his sphere OF in
fuence was concerned.
But, however divergent the verdict OF
the villagers as to Ransome's merits, there
was only one opinion as to the beauty and
virtue of his only child, Jessie. She was,
indeed, the belle of Primrose Garth; and
there was never a youth for miles around
but at sometime or other had sighed after
50 much as favoring glance from her
bright blue eyes, or word of encourage
ment, be it ever SO slight, from her tempt
ing lips. Upon only one suitor did the
fair Jessie smile, however. Walter Haydn
the envied one-was the only son Of the
reverend rector Of the village. He was
fine, manly fellow, Of whom his parents
expected much, though at present he was
only barrister without brief. The two
had known each other as boy and girl;
then, in the ordinary course OF things
they were parted, he pursuing his stud
les at college and elsewhere, she looking
after her fathers domestic affairs. When
again they met they had both arrived at
the susceptible age, with the inevitable
result that they fell in love with each
other, promptly exchanged VOWS, and lost
sight Of the possibilities Of parental disap-
proval, which not uncommonly troubles
the course Of true love.
They had not long to wait for disillu-
sionment. No sooner were the facts made
known to the respective parents than the
eyes Of the lovers were opened. The
blacksmith, none to gently, gave his
daughter to understand that he didn't
want his girl to run after fellows who re-
garded themselves as her betters. Let
her marry in her own station and not seek
TO bring rldicule upon her fatfsr. lie
believed in the people, not the classes.
OF course, Jessie was every bit as good as
the rector's son, but the rector didn't
think SO, and, in short, there was an end
Of the whole matter. On his part the rec
tor was equally bitter. His son should
never ally himself to the blacksmith's
daughter; so much was certain. It was
the height Of madness, ard not to be
thought Of for single instant. Thus it
came about that young Haydn was bum
died off to London with strict orders to
forget his foolishness and try to make a
mark in the world, while Jessie was
sternly forbidden to "carry on with any
more Of her moonshine and silly love-
making"
Three months sped on, and the two
fathers congratulated themselves upon hav-
ing nipped the unwelcome business in the
bud. Walter had protested that he
would be true to his first love; Jessie was
equally determined to marry no one else
in the world. But after that neither
spoke Of the affair, which both parents
soon came to regard as forgotten and
done with once for all.
The forge was silent. The anvil, stout
and strong, lay idly in remote corner,
and not glimmer reminded one Of the
rich red light that was wont to fash out
at the bidding Of the old, time-worn bel
lows. The forge was silent, yet all that
day had big, patient horses, waiting to be
shod, and anxious farmers, whose ploughs
had gone astray, fingered about the
smithy door. There was lot Of grum'
bling. The blacksmith Of Primrose Garth
enjoyed q monopoly in his own line o.
business. It was many mile to any
other blacksmith shop, and the only
remedy for the disappointed customer
was to pour the vials Of their wrath upor
the head Of the absent blacksmith in the
most vulgar and inelegant English they
could command.
where's Jim?'' was the question tha
was on every lip, while the village lad
inquired eagerly after the blacksmith
pretty daughter.
anybody seen Jim Ransome to-day?
asked Garbutt, the shoemaker, adding
significantly: II never know'd his plac'
to be closed afore."
"Yester Gen." broke in big, raw
boned youth, Il seed the smitly fir
a'roarin' like mad, and Jessie was stand
ing just where I am now. can mind
because were thinkin' how bonnie sh
looked, and how"
Here's parson, /" interrupted one Of III
group, which, on hearing who was ar
preaching, became suddenly and respect
fully silent.
The Rev. Septimus Haydn paused whe
lie reached the assembled villagers. The
he glanced inquiringly round, and as n
one ventured to explain the why an
wherefore Of the conference, asked:
rs anything the matter, good people7
Eyes, sir"' said Garbutt, doffing hi
-. ,arv.actf,,Ii,, ptT;ro Parsn,a.,'e c,npn