Middletown transcript., 1904-11-26
.LuRINDY
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

ask to whom | am indeDteu iof SUCH
kindness ?''
.'My name is Toothacher-Luridny
Toothacher," she replied. coloring and
fumbling neryously at her apron as she
felt the blue eyes studying her face sonle-
what curiously.
"Thank you," was the courteous re-
sponse. 81 feel very much more at ease
now that know how to address you,
he went on easily, his thin face lighting
up with most winning smile.
Then, noticing her confusion, he rat
tied on with amusing anecdotes about ms
labors, the men, their housekeeping, ana
SO on, until Lurinda forgot her shyness,
and was soon chatting away quite gayiy
with him.
Nearly an hour had passed, when she
arose to take her departure, promising
to return next day to see how he was
''gettin' along"
For several days she visited him regu'
larly, carrying something each time with
which to tempt his appetite. Then, one
morning, what was the astonishnent OF
the neighbors to see rudely constructed
stretcher, on which lay the figure OF
man. borne across the fields by iour
stalwart laborers, and carried straight IN
at Lurinda's front door.
The good people came focking to the
house to ascertain what had happened.
Lurinda met them at the door, but did
not invite them ito see the patient.
"You see." she replied, in answer TO
their inquiries, 81 found he wasn't gong
to get any better if lie stayed there and
1 couldn't bear to let the poor creetur
lay and die, when Marin and l could
have him here and take care OF him.,
without any put ont at all; SO tolu
the men to bring him over"
That was all the information they de-
rived from their interviews, and with
it, they were forced TO be content. !.
Nate improved rapidly under Lurlnda's IS
ministration, and was soon able to be
bolstered up in a large chair on the
porch, where he would sit for hours en-
joying the fresh air and the sunlight.
As he recovered his strength, the neigh
bors looked for his departure but he
still remained, and was often seen doing
little chores about the hoise and yard.
Finally, they observed that it Was now
Nate who drove the COWS to pasture in
the morning, and who went after them
at night, while Lurinda remained at
home attending TO her household duties.
The men were rapidly cultivating his
acquaintance, and finding him always
good-natured and willing to lend assis-
tance when needed, they soon become
quite friendly towards him.
STILL even the dullest OF them could not
fail to notice how utterly out of keeping
with his surroundings were his mann en-
and appearance, but as lie entered with
interest into all the little affairs Of the
community, they forgave his reticence
upon matters OF private and personal
nature.
"'Tain't none of our business v ho lie
is nor where he comes FROM" observed
Ike Burnett one day to neighbor, ''ez
long ez he treats us fair and square. II
Lurinday and Mis- Toothacher has a
mind to let him stay an work his board,
Idon't see no reason why 'tain't all right.
There's enough patchin' and fxin' that
needs to be done on the ole place to keep
one man workin' purity spry for awhile. P"
As this seemed to be the general opin-
ion, the subject was dropped.
One bright morning in early November,
Nate appeared at Burnett's door and re-
quested the loan Of his 'team' TO take
Lurinda to the station.
"She's going away on little visit" he
explained. and thought if you weren't
using the horse, could drive her over
to the village"
'Why sartin, sartin. You ken have
him and welcome" said Ike, feeling
somewhat fattered by the request.
Having harnessed the ancient steed,
which stood meanwhile the picture OF do
cility, Ike felt it his duty to caution Nate,
and called after him as lie drove away:
"He's feelin' purity spry lately and
you'll hev to be keerful. Jenerwary amt
much on style, but he's kinky, terrible
kinky, Tenerwary is."
Nate turned, waved his land, and few
minutes later reined in the submissive
animal before Lurinda's door.
AS he did go, that lady emerged from
the house, clad in gown OF black alpaca,
with small black shawl pinned around
her shoulders. To the black bonnet,
which had been made to wear at her
fathers funeral several years before, were
added white ruching and a red cotton
rose, the only spot OF color on her somber
costume.
Nate entered the house and soon reap
peared carrying small "hair trunk, !"
which he placed beneath the wagon seat.
Bidding her mother goodbye" Lu-
rinda climbed into the vehicle, assisted by
Nate, who took his seat deside her.
'.Jenerwary" started off at moderate
pace; and the wagon and its occupants
were soon lost to the view of the little
old woman, who was watching them from
the window.
Two hours later, Ike Burnett, happen
ing to glance up the road, saw "Jener-
wary" ambling leisurely along toward
home. He was evidently taking his own
time, despite the drivers futile efforts to
accelerate his speed.
As they drew near, Ike perceived the
seat to be occupied by neighbours boy
who was evidently in state of intense
excitement.
"Why, what's the natter? inquired
Ike in surprise, as he opened the door.
The youngsters eyes were fairly start
ing from their sockets.
They've gonew he gasped. They've
Hoped. Nate and Lurindy's married"
"Whatp' exclaimed Ike, his face the