The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-01-08
HIS WINTON
SLOW NESS
By HARRIET
G. CANFIELD
Copyright. 1903. by T. c. Mcclure

The first Winton that came over
had incurred the lasting displeasure Of
the first Albright. believe lie had
been slow in paying debt-at least
there was general impression that
''the Winton Slowncss' was responsible
for the feud. Beyond a doubt the pres
ent Wintons-father and son-were
slow OF speech and movement. Mrs.
Winton and Sue did not share in the
family failing"
When Amos Albright's wife had died
he had persuaded younger brother 10
move in aud run the farm"-they
were two miles out OF town-and Grace.
who was then fifteen. was sent east TO
a young ladies' seminary. During her
four years absence from lIighmead
her once vivid rccollections OF the en-
nifty between the Alb:iEhts and Win
tons grew dim aud shadowy. When.
on the day following graduation. she
was invited to spend a week at class
mates home IL was with no feeling OF
apprehension that she heard her friend
say. Brother George has asked Jack
WInion TO come down with him from
Harvard. and we shall be quite gay"
The Wintons that she knew had
son. but his name was John. This
young man proved to be well built. self
possessed and clear OF skin. and John
Winton had been long. lank. freckled
boy. very bashful. she remembered
To be sure there was certain drawl
in her new acquaintapce's speech.
which reminded her of that boy" but
perhaps alb Wintons were slow spoken.
The four young people thoroughly
enjoyed the week they spent together.
and II 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-
emy In your humble servant"
"Oh, noT Grace protested. If our
fathers are foes we need not be-" And
she held out her hand to him. with a
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
at ". 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 surel
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 guiltily when the two
men shook hands gravely, and Jack
| offered the newcomer his seat.
III move opposite" he said in hi:
| pleasant drawl, IF you don't object
Before they reached Highmead h'
found himself drawn into the converse
ton. To his daughters delight Mr.. Al
bright seemed to enjoy talking witt
her friend. Sensible young manr' h'
said to Grace when Jack went into th'
smoking car just before the train pull
ed into Highmead. On the homewar'
drive he spoke OF him again. 1--WE sci
dom met a young man." he said. "a
intelligent as Mr.. Jack Queer name
isn't It? II my eyes were shut while b
was talking I'D declare he was Win
ton"
HE Is. father" Grace confessed H
Is Mr.. Jack Winton."
Amos Albright looked at his daugt
ter for a moment in dumb amazemen
I'm sorry" he said at last. but tina
settles him"
Jack winton refused to be thus sun
marily settled" The next day b
came to call and was received so coldl
by his unwilling host that he knew d
once that his identity had been n
J yealed-
MIR. Albright" he said in his dell
crate way. I'm Winton. as you've ev
: IDENTIFY discovered. but the Wintons al
i, not such a bad lot. after all. Aren
+ you bit prejudicedr
! Not a whit more than your fatht
Is" Mr. Albright said stiffiy.
Eyes, know. Mother and Sue hadn
: a word to say when | spoke OF callin
here, but the pater raised a storm-a
I most forbade me to come. Really. nov
what have you against me-the Wi
e ton slownessr
: "Yes. l hate a laggard in anythin
= That's enough to condemn you. sir! N
: daughter can receive you, II she wishe
!. whenever you may call. but must a:
d you to excuse me now-and always"
chilling request. but Jack went avs
e happy In the thought that Grace st
i considered him as a friend and b,
). asked him TO come again.
- In spite of the enmity between d
n heads Of the two houses Mrs. Wint'
u and her daughter were exchangil
X calls with Grace Albright before 4
: summer waned. Amos Albright st
ID disapproyed of Jack. though he cou
r discover nothing Objectionable in
g conduct The young man seemed
IN be an able assistant to his father. W
X was at the head OF a well establish
business. Blood will tell" he said
10 himself. "and the old Winton slownC
re will crop out some day" When ia
came one evening in October with I
not unexpected request for his daus
ter's hand. he said impressively:
Grace loves you. and she imaGines S
In does. | will consider your proposal ca
VI fully. You may call tomorrow mo-
ing at 6 O'Clock. and I viii let ,
~ know my decision"
a.six o'caockP' lack exclaimed