The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-13


fs was wonderful how the young
couples worked their way arm in arm
through the thickest crowds, never sepa-
rating. Even at the lemonade stands
they drank holding the glasses in their
outer hands. Such are the sacrifices
demanded by etiquette. But, observ-
ing the gracious outpouring Of fortune
upon the rare rustic just mentioned, a
youth In a green tie disengaged his
arm-for the first time in two hours
from that of a girl who looked upon
him with fond, uncertain smiles and.
conducting her to a corner Of the yard.
bade her remai1 there until he return
ed. He had to speak to Hartley Bowl
der, he explained
Then he plunged. red faced and ex-
cited, into the circle about the shell
manipulators and offered to lay wa
ger.
ssHoP on there, Hen Fentriss." thickly
objected a flushed young man beside
him ssIss my turn"
sspm first, Hartley" returned the 9TH
er. ssYou can hold yer hosses. I reckon" "
ssPlenty fer each and all. gents. In
terrupted one Of the shell men. place
yer spondulies on de little ball. W'ich
Is de mex lucky gent to win our mon
ey? Gent bets four sixty-fve he seen de
little bali go under de middle shell. Up
she comes! Dis time we wins. Platt-
vile can't win every time. Who's de
mex lucky gent"
Fentriss edged slowly out Of the cir
Gle, abashed and with rapidly whiten-
2 Ing cheeks. He paused for moment
outside, slowly realizing that all his
money had gone in one wild, blind
whirlthe money he had earned so
hard and saved so hard to make hoii-
day for his sweetheart and himself. He
stole one glance around the building to
where a patient figure waited for him.
Then he fed down side alley and soon
was out upon the country road. tramp
Ing soddenly homeward through the
dust, his chin sunk in his breast and his
hands clinched tight at his sides. Now
and then he stopped and bitterly hurl-
ed stone at piping bird on the fence
or gay bobwhite in the fields. At noon
! the patient figure was. still waiting in
the corner Of, the courthouse yard. meek
ay twisting coral ring upon her finger.
But the flushed young man who had
spoken thickly to her deserter drew an
enyied roll of bank bills from his pock-
ct and began to bet with tipsy caution.
while the circle about the gamblers
watched with fervid interest. especially
Mr.. Bardlock. town marshal
From far up Main street came the
cry AShe's a-comin'. She's a-comin..''
and this announcement. Of the parade
Droying only one of a dozen false
alarms a thousand discussions took
place over old fashioned silver time
pieces as to when 'she" was really due.
Schofelds' Henry was much appealed
Go as an arbitc- in these discussions.
from sense of his having good deal
to do with time in general sort OF
way, and thus Schofelds' came to be
reminded that it was getting on toward
10 O'clock. whereas. in the excitement
Of festival. he had not yet struck o.
This. rushing forthwith to do, he did.
and. in the elation of the moment. sever!
or eight besides Kiss Helen Sherwood
was aeoking down on the mass of sEift-
ing color from a second story window
OF the courthouse. and she had the
pleasure of seeing Schofields' emerge
ON the steps beneath her when the bells
had done and heard the cheers Qed by
adr. Martin) with which the crowd
greeted his appearance after the per-
Eormance OF his feat.
She turned beamingly TO Harkless.
>.What a family it isp' she laughed
~Just one big. jolly family! l didn't
Sncw people could be Ike this until
came 10 plattviile."
THAT is the word for it, he said.
resting his hand ON the easement be-
side her. Il Used to think it was desc
Date. but that was long ago.. He lean
ed frecl the window to look down. IL
rs dark cheek was glow the Carlow
folks had never seen there. and some
how he seemed less thin and tired than
usual: indeed. he Gid not seem tired a'
all. by far the contrary. and he carried
aiasse.s upright. when he was no.
stcoph1g to s-e under the hat. though
aot as if he thought about it. Il be
s5eve they are the best people know.
De went. on Perhaps it is becanS"
they llave been so kind TO me: bat
they are kind 70 each other. too-kina
good people,
II know she SAID. nodG:ns. .!
knsw. There are fat women. women
who rock and rock on piazzas by the
sea. and they speak Of country peopi%
AZ the lower classes How happy
shis big family is IN not knowing it Is
the lower classes
I'VE haven't read Nordau down
here" said John "Oid Tom Martin
Savcr;1e svc-.a is The Descent Of Man
snd Miss 'Tibbs cares most for 'Laiia