The Somerset reporter., 1903-12-31
HIS WINTON
SLOW NESS
By HARRIET
G. Garfield
Copyright, 1908, by T. c. Mcclure

The first Winton that came over
had incurred the lasting displeasure of
the first Albright believe he had
been slow in paying debt-at least
there was a general impression that
1.-THE Winton slowuess" was responsible
for the feud. Beyond a doubt the pres
ent WintonsAfather and son We're
slow of speech aud movement Mrs.
Winton aud Sue did not share in the
family falling
When Amos Albrght's wife had died
he had persuaded Il younger brother to
move In and run the farm"-they
were two miles out of town-and Grace,
who was then fifteen, was sent east to
young ladies' seminary. During her
four years absence from Highmead
her once vivid recollections of the en-
nifty between the Albrights and Win
tons grew dim and shadowy When
on the day following graduation, she
was invited to spend q week at a class
mates home it was with no feeling of
apprehension that she heard her friend
say, Brother George has asked Jack
Harvard, and we shall be Quite gay"
The Wintons that she knew had a
son. but his name was John. This
young man proved to be we'll built, self
possessed and clear of skin. and John
Winton had been a long lank. freckled
boy. very bashful, she remembered
TO be sure there was certain drawl
in her new acquaintance's speech
which reminded her of that boy" but
perhaps all Wintons were slow spoken.
The four young people thoroughly
enjoyed the week they spent together
and it was with delight that Jack Win
ton discovered on the eve of his de-
parture that Miss Albright's destina-
ton was the same as his own. I'm
glad that we travel together" he said
Yes Grace assented hesitatingly
Jacks face flushed, and he turned to
his host with the explanation, Miss
Albright has just recognized an old en-
envy in your humble servant"
"Oh, no. Grace protested. IF our
fathers are foes we need not be-" And
she held out her hand to him, with
friendly little gesture.
During the three days journey west
ward their friendship progressed rap
idly. They were in the midst of one Of
many animated conversations when
Mr.. Amos Albright boarded the train
a X, station some thirty miles from
Highmead. Grace saw him coming
down the aisle.
There is father" she said hurriedly.
He'll not recognize you, I'm sure!
believe I'll introduce you as Mr.. Jack"
When Mr.. Albright bent to kiss his
daughters upturned face he looked
keenly at the young man beside her.
Mr.. Jack, father" Grace murmured
and blushed guilty when the two
men shook hands gravely. and Jack
offered the newcomer his seat
"1'll move opposite" he said in his
pleasant drawl. IF you don't object"
Before they reached Highmead he
found himself drawn into the converse
ton. To his daughters delight Mr.. Al
bright seemed to enjoy talking with
her friend. Sensible young man" he
said to Grace when Jack went into the
smoking car just before the train pull
ed into Hlghmead. On the homeward
drive he spoke of him again. 1--WE sell
dom met a young man." he said. "as
intelligent as Mr.. Jack. Queer name
isn't it? If my eyes were shut while he
was talking I'd declare he was Win
ton"
HE is, father" Grace confessed He
is Mr.. Jack Winton."
ieI,t
ter for moment in dumb amazement
Pm sorry" he said at last. but that
settles him"
Jack Winton refused to be thus sum
marily Settled" The next day be
came to call and was received so coldly
by his unwilling host that he knew at
once that his Identity had been re-
veaed.
'Mr. Albright" he said in his DELHI
crate way, I'm Winton. as you've evil
IDENTITY discovered. but the Wintons are
not such bad lot, after all. Aren't
you bit prejudiced?"
Not whit more than your father
is" Mr. Albright said stiffiy
Eyes. know. Mother and Sue hadn't
a word to say when | spoke of calling
here, but the pater raised a storm-al-
most forbade me to come Really, now.
what have you against me-the Win
ton slowness?'
"Yes. | hate a laggard In anything
That's enough to condemn you, sir! My
daughter can receive you, If she wishes
whenever you may call, but must ask
you to excuse me now-and always" A
chilling request. but Jack went away
happy in the thought that Grace still
considered him as a friend and had
asked him to come again.
In spite of the enmity between the
heads of the two houses Mrs. Winton
and her daughter were exchanging
calls with Grace Albright before the
summer waned. Amos Albright still
disapproved of Jack. though he could
discover nothing Objectionable in his
conduct The young man seemed TO
be an able assistant to his father, who
was at the head OF we'll established
business. Blood will tell" he said to
himself. land the old Winton slowness
will crop out some day" When Jack
came one evening in October with the
not unexpected request for his daugh
ter's hand, he said impressively: IF
Grace loves you, and she imaGines she