The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-11-05


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Peggy Shickshack stood outside Of
such festivities, and SO did Antywine,
because the singular mother Of their
household had no fellowship with the
mother OF any other household. For
all the villagers began to look kindly
at the unfolding womanliness of the
lame Spaniard, the blond head of An
tywine, and the good old Indian who
loved white men,
But the festival that Peggy liked best
and was not left out of, was blackber-
rying. The girls rose at dawn and put
on their worst clothes, meeting by ap-
pointment at the tavern with baskets
on their arms. They did not speak
loud. The dust in the road took the
prints of their feet like ashes. The
whole understanding world was
drenChed in dew, and as they brushed
down the ravine across the woods be-
You'd, they were baptized by every
bush. Then their tongues were
loosened, and they sang and told
stories. Sometimes they pretended to
see wolves sneaking to cover, but this
merely for the pleasure Of frightening
themselves. It was the loveliest pilgri-
mage ever invented. There was peril
in it too, for in the wooded field of
wild brambles the thick-mottled rattle
snake, or objects resembling him,
caused many a start and shrek.
Once little Jane Rutledge got a fat
grasshOpper down her back, and yelled
for deliverance from-"a snake! a
snake!"
"Oh, run home, Jane! Run home,
quick!" cried Mahala Cameron.
But Ann tore the child's clothing
open and freed the grasshopper, cling
ing with all@is feet to the tender white
back; and they all laughed at Mahala.
who would have sent her three miles
for help.
Sometimes the girls swan grass to
their waists, as in a sea of dew, Peggy
dividing her way with her crutch. The
rising sun showed glittering in the
brambies, blackberries and luscious
deWberries half as long as ones thumb,
melting ripe to keep that very morn
ing's appointment. To go blackberry
ing late in the day was not to go black
berrying at all, but to a hot and weary
search Of rifled fields.
When the party trailed homeward
with heaped baskets they could see
along the ridge of the Sangamon
tents and camps Of farmers who had
come long distances to mill. Each man
was obliged to wait his turn to have
his grain ground. 1t was like a fair.
Quot pitching, wrestling matches,
races and trading filled up the idle time.
Insensibly the season changed. Su-
mac leaves began to burn around scar
let fruit yelled in white, the oaks were
family tinted, and the first September
days had come.
Antywines reading lessons at the
stone ended, for Lincoln was taking
up surveying and going out to distant
parts Of the country, and Antywine was
to go with him as his chain-bearer.
II put the book in my bundle" said
the Canadian while he and Peggy were
bidding each other farewell at the
stone. "Sieur Abe will help me-
Peggys hand and feet became cold.
She felt as if autumn were driving the
the blood back upon her heart.
'|Viane Rutledge told at school the
other day that you are the best-looking
young man in New Salem"
Antywine expanded with satisfac-
ton. He always carried his chin up,
SO that people called him high
headed.
81 am tall"
Don't you think Viane Rutledge is
pretty girl, Antywine?"
EYES,"
"she's the prettiest girl that goes to
school, isn't she?"
eyes,
Tears sprang into Peggy's eyes; she
winked them back, ashamed of being
grieved.
"But Viane Rutledge is not a good
reader" she honestly declared.
''Me, am not a good reader either"
observed Antywine.
''You don't want to put yourself
alongside of Viane Rutledge as a poor
reader,' spoke Peggy, sharply-"do
you?"
II don't know" returned Antywine,
with a teasing winsoneness specially
his own. He smiled on the landscape
and lifted his chin higher, look OF
concern replacing the smile.
why you cry, sweetheart"
MY fOot's tired said Peggy, drying
her tears.
"You been trying to walk without
the crutch?"
"A little.''
"Then l carry you up to the house."
II don't want you to. If Mahala
| Camerons brother was here he could
help you make a saddle and carry me.
He takes hold of hands with one Of
the Clary boys, and they lift me up
on the saddle and run with me when
we play Indian"
HE have no business!" exclaimed
AntyWine, full of indignation. "They
will fall and hurt you'll"
20, no, they won't. He is a nice boy,
H.