Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-28
Cross Purposes
Copyright, lOOs, By Dail:r story Pub. Co.,
Ex-cOnGressman VIM. Il. HInrichssn

A MONG the boarders at Mrs. Moul-
~ toms farm that summer were Mrs.
Stewart and her daughter Caroline;
Mrs. Stewart, a quiet, pleasant-faced
lady, and Caroline, a beautiful girl OF
20. There we're a dozen other boarders
in the house besides Harry, Mrs. Moul-
toms nephew, who was a visitor and
not boarder, as his aunt told theneigh-
bors.
Harry had been reared on farm, and
intended by his parents for a farmer
but when they died he determined to
sell the old place and after proper prep
araton embrace law as profession.
He was at that time 81, and had been
graduated from an academy in neigh
boring town, so he felt himself fairly
well on the way to the accomplishment
of his wish. He converted his acres
into dollars and began his studies. Five
years at college and university 1ouno
him almost penniless, but with his pre-
cious diploma in his pocket, and he glad
ly accepted an invitation from his aunt
to spend the summer with her before
looking for a permanent location.
at has been that lonely since your
uncle died that l thought l couldn't
stand it any longer" she told Harry.
"Of course, don't have to take board
ers for a living, but they'll be company
and you must help entertain them"
"Ot course, aunt" said Harry, III
make myself useful"
And he did, particularly where Caro-
line Stewart was concerned. He had
met her and her mother at the station
and driven them to the farm In carry
ALL From that day he was Carolines
regular attendant. He fell in love with
the beautiful, sweet tempered girl, and
she knowing him as her landiady's
nephew. not only accepted his services,
but took possession Of him as she did
of everything which she could make
useful.
He accompanied her in her walks and
drives and always kept near her. She
showed an interest in the work OF the
farm, and he was her instructor. he
broke and gentled horse for her use,
and made himself so necessary that
she wanted him always within call. She
liked the young man with his rudy face
and stalwart figure, and she often re-
marked to her mother that he was GER
tainly a treasure. She liked to exhibit
him to her friends as she met them, and
even to Mr.. Lansdowt who always came
from the city Saturday evening and re-
manned till Monday morning.
Mr.. Lansdow appeared devoted TO
Miss Stewart, and Harry was madly
Jealous of him, though he admitted
that she appeared to like his own COM
pany very much and to prefer his So
ciety to that of any other, even when
Mr.. Lansdow was present.
Mr.. Lansdow, aged 40, distinguished
looking gentleman, said to be rich,
seemed at first slightly jealous of Harry,
but after his second visit he seemed
Indifferent to Caroline's apparent
fondness for the younger mans society,
and certainly showed no further sign
of jealousy.
The summer wore on. Harry's love
for Caroline grew so strong that his
aunt said he was "daffy" about her.
They took long walks and rides, sat on
the gallery in the moonlight, and she
even learned to feed the fowls and
milk the COWS under his tuition. They
talked mainly of farm topics and he, in
his infatuation, did not notice that
her education was superficial and that
literature had no charms for her. He
thought that she was determined to
give her mental powers vacation dur
ing her summer on the farm, and he ad-
mired her for it. He would have ap-
proved anything she did and her
slightest wish was highest law to him.
So he fell into her humor and talked OF
horses. cattle, hogs and sheep, of their
care and fattening and their value for
speed, draft, food and wool. He ex-
plained the planting, the cultivation and
the harvesting of grains and vegetables
and he even found her interested in fer
tilizers and the rotation OF crops.
These were familiar subjects to him, for
he had absorbed agrarian information
as a boy. For her amusement he built
hen coops, mended the fences, repaired
the harness and gathered vegetables,
and she seemed delighted with his skill
and knowledge.
AS the summer drew to close Harry
began to worry. Caroline was as kind
as ever, but he had so far dared not
speak to her of love, there standing in
the way dread specter ever present.