The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-12

anu breaking into streams OF music
and dying faint I'm the far woodland.
One Nelson Cartright-a jack of all
trades they called him-was the singing
master. lie was noted far and wide
for song and penmanship. Every year
his intricate flourishes In black and
white were on exhibition mt the county
fair.
'Waal, sir" men used to say thought
fully, y"ye wouldn't think he knew
beans. Why. he's got fist bigger'n q
ham. But tell ye. let him take pen,
sir, and he'll draw n deer so nat'ral. sir.
ye'd swear he could jump over a six
rail fence Why, II Is wonderful
Every winter he taught the arts of
song and penmanship In the four dis
tricts from Jericho to Cedar hill. He
sang a roaring bass and beat the time
with dignity and precision. For weeks
he drilled the class on bit of lyric
melody, of which a passage is here
given.
"One, two, three, ready. sing" he
would say, his ruler cutting the air,
and all began:
Listen to the bird and the maid and the
humblebee,
Ira. la In Ia la, ira. In la la la;
Joyfully we'll sing the gladsome melody.
Ira. la la la la.
The singing school added little to the
knowledge or the cheerfulness of that
neighborhood. II came to an end the
last day Of the winter term. AS usual,
Trove went home with Polly. IL was q
,t.xAt t,fN
at the corners he put his arm around
her.
"School is over" said she, with a
sigh, "and I'm sorry"
"For me?" he inquired.
"For myself" she answered, looking
down at the snowy path.
There came n little silence crowded
with happy thoughts.
AT first thought you very dread
full" she went on. looking up at him
with a smile. He could see her sweet
face in the moonlight and was tempted
to kiss It,
"WhyT'
"You were so terrible" she answered.
"Poor Joe Beach, II seemed as II he
would go through the wall"
"Well. something had to happen to
him." said the teacher.
"He likes you now. and every one
likes you here. wish we could have
you always for teacher"
"I'd be willing to be your teacher al
ways II could only teach you what
you have taught me-"
"Oh, dancing" said she merrily.
''That is nothing. I'll give you all the
lessons you like"
mo. | shall not let you teach me
that again." said he.
"why"
because your pretty feet trample
on me-"
Then came another silence.
"Don't you enjoy it?" she asked.
looking off ut the stars.
100 much" said he First, must
teach you something, II can"
He was ready for query IL 1t came,
but she put him of.
81 intend to be grand lady," said
she, "and II you do not learn you'll
never be able to dance with me-"
'There'll be others to dance with
you" said he. IL have so much else to
do"
"Oh, you're always thinking about
algebra and arithmetic and those
dreadful things" said she.
"No. I'm thinking now Of something
very different"
Grammar, suppose" said she. look
ing down.
"Do you remember the conjuga.
tions?"
'Try me-" said she.
"Give me the first person singular,
passive voice, present tense, Of the
verb to love-"
81 am loved" was her answer as
she looked away.
"And don't you know love you"
said he quickly.
'That Is the active voice." said she,
turning, with smile.
"Polly," said he, 81 love you as
could love no other In the world"
He drew her close. and she looked
up at him very soberly.
"You love me?" she said In a half
whisper. go. 500
"With all my heart" he answered.
81 hope you will love me some time"
Their lips came together.
~ do not ask you now to say that
you love me-" said the young man.
you are young and do not know your
own heart"
She rose on tiptoe and fondly touched
his cheek with her fingers.
But | do love you,' she whispered
II thank God you have told me, but
I shall ask you for no promise. A year
from now, then, dear, | shall ask you
to promise that you will be my wife
some time"
"Oh, let me promise now" she whls.
pered.
Promise only that you will love
me If you see none you love better"
They We're slowly nearing the door.
Suddenly she stopped, looking up at
him.
"Are you sure you love me?" she
asked
YES" he whispered
"Sure?"
"As sure as am that / live"
"And will love me alwaysY
always" he answered.
She drew his head down little and
put her lips to his ear. "Then shall
love you always" she whispered.
Mrs. Vaughn was waiting for them
at the firasidp They SAT- talking awhile