Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-16

STRONG man is to be pitied lh IA who deliberately shuns being l HNE thrown into contrast with q C5 rival more fortunate in the es- timation of the world George was like sensitive, high spirited dwarf trying to avoid seeing tall men. The whole town was going to hear the gov- l ernOrS address the next Sunday; the whole town was talking of his admira- 1 tion for the belle of the place. For the I remainder of the week George was un- 1 certain what he should do, but when the eventful morning arrived he went to a livery stable, engaged horse and buggy and drove out to his mothers. He might have chosen better, for the sordid surroundings of the farmhouse, which had never seemed like home to I him in the highest sense, only made him feel more depressed.
 "The Lord knows I'm astonished to l see you," Mrs. Buckley said as she came to the door wiping her fat hands on her apron. "Why, all the settle ment, it seems to me, has gone in town to see the governor, but somehow I didn't care to go. I'm too old to ride ten miles in joltin' wagon to see jest ] 8 man. How do you come on?'
 T feel all right" George replied. "I didn't care to hear the speech"
 sfYou say you didn't?' Mrs. Buck l ley's heavy brows ran together. She I stood for moment eying her son with 1 sympathetic fixity. She had heard the rumor of the governors attentions to Lydia Cranston. They were now in the sitting room, and he stood warm ing himself before the fire. l "Oh, George" she suddenly got out, T wish you'd let me talk to you an not git mad''
 Mad? Why, mother he exclaimed, "how could get mad at youY'
 The old woman sat down in her low chair in the chimney corner. You are l my boy" she said, tremor in her gen. tie voice, ''an' some things hurt-cut I me to the quick. Oh, George, I wish I you would sort O be content with con- ! mon folks like we all are. Youare as l good, every bit an grain, as that Vir- l ginia gal, but somehow she's situated I different Now, fer instance, they say she's got chance, an good one, to I marry the governor
 I 'T think she has," George said cold ly, his lips tightening, "but what of that, mother?''
 s'Oh, it nearly kills me to have folks think you-you want to get some'n' an caynt," replied the old woman plain lively. s.An', George, as things go in this world, Lydia Cranston will have to take that offer. She cayn't git around it. Gals kin have the'r choice, II TSs- nd Y she may, down in her heart, like you the best on account O you bein' youn- ger an better lookin', but folks in her walk O life, reckon, have to sorter look to the future. Her folks will make her, ef she draws back George, l I-I hope you don't feel bad about it''
 Mother, I'm all right He sat down before the fire He looked out through the small paned window upon wide stretch of cotton land where he had toiled through his boyhood To the left, inside the garden fence was the log smokehouse, the barn and stables; to the right, the yard where the chick ems and ducks were scratching the earth for food. The old woman said l nothing there was nothing she could say, for his reply had not reassured her.
 tsWhy do you think anything is wrong with me? he suddenly asked. "Has anybody''
 "You cayn't keep folks mouths shet," Mrs. Buckley said. You've got more friends 'an any boy in all this noun tain country, but even body's- best friends will git jealous when he begins to rise in the world. Most of lem thought you was dyin' too high, George, all along-in visitin' the best in Dar- ley-an' they are tickled to be able to circulate the report that she's goin' to marry the governor of the state. You see, they kin say that an not seem to be talkin' agin you, but they are chucklin' all the same"
 T can't help their talking nor their thinking" Buckley said, with sigh.
 .But I believe I'd put a bold face on 1t an laugh at the idea O marvin anybody right now. Then I'd sorter slack off from goin' to the Cranstons. George, kin stand anything better, it seems to me, than havin' lem all think you are miserable over it, an when the wedding takes place.
 s4Then you count on it as a certainty, do you?" His face clouded over, and, in spite of his self control, his voice rang harshly.
 She stared at him pityingly. "Thar's no use talkin' about it." she said soft ly. George, you hain't ready to ad- init it, an that's the wust sign of all. You jest cayn't see it like other folks, an thar's jest one reason fer that | y4o oT1A To in1y Ia
 He voiced no denial. What was the use? The old woman, crude as she was, had known him from the first pull sation of the life that was now raging like a mad torrent within him. In his minds eye he had glimpse of the will lage church, packed to the doors with