Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-04-23

<.> 80 80
"F'atr lady, I bring thee aoarers"
said Darrell thoughtfully. "But, child.
honor is not for them that tinker
clocks"
"'Honor and fame from no condition
rise,'' said Polly, who sat in chair
knitting.
"True, dear girl. Thy lips are sweet
er than the poets thought"
"You'll turn my head" The girl was
laughing as she spoke.
can it turn to me, shall be happy"
said the tinker, smiling, and then he
began to feel the buttons on his waist
coat. Loves me, loves me not, loves
me, loves me not
"She loves you" said Polly, with a
smile.
"She loves me-hear that, boyw said
the tinker. "Ah, were she not bespoke!
Well, God be praised, Pm happy" he
added, filling his pipe.
"And seventy" said Polly.
"Aye, threescore an ten-small an
close together, now, as I look off at
them, like flock O. pigeons in the
sky"
"What do you think?" said Polly as
she dropped her knitting. "The two
old maids are coming tonight"
"The two old maids" said Darrell.
"'Tis sign an wonder"
"Oh, great change has come over
them," Polly went on. cts all the
work O. the teacher. You know he
really coaxed them into sliding with
him last winter"
II heard of it. The gay Philanderw
said Darrell, laughing merrily. "Ah,
he's wonder with the maldens!
II know it," said Polly. with sigh.
Trove was idly brushing the mat Of
grass with walking stick. He loved
fun, but he had no conceit for this
kind of banter.
1T was one Of my best accomplish
ments." said he, blushing. 81 taught
them that there was really world out
side their house and that men were
not all as lions, seeking whom they
might devour."
Soon the widow and her boys came,
their pals full of berries.
1--WE cannot shake hands with you"
said Mrs. Vaughn, her fingers red with
the berry stain.
BLOOD O. the old EARTH" said OAR
rel. How fares the clock?'
/ "It's too slow, Polly says"
"Ah, time lags when love is on the
way" Darrell answered.
"Foolish child! A little while ago
she was baby, an now she is in
love"
"Ah, let the girl love-" said Darrell,
patting the red cheek of Polly, "an'
bless God she loves a worthy lad"
"You'd better fix the clock" said
Polly, smiling. ut is too fast now"
$50 is the beat O. thy heart" Darrell
answered, a merry look in his eyes,
''an' the clock is keeping pace"
Trove got up, with laugh, and
went away, the boys following.
"I'm worried about him." the widow
! whispered For long time he hasn't
been himself"
"It's the trouble. poor lad! Twill
| soon be over" said Darrell hopefully.
There We're now tears in the eyes of
Polly.
II do not think he loves me any
more" said she, her lips trembling.
"Spealk not so, dear child. Indeed he
! loves thee"
II have done everything to please
him." said Polly in broken words, her
face covered with her handkerchief.
II wondered what was the matter
with you, Polly" said her mother ten
Derby.
Dear, dear childw said the tinker,
rising and patting her head. 1.-THE
chaplet on thy brow an thee weep
ing, fairest flower of ALL"
| II have wished that l was deadv
The words came in a little moan be-
tween sobs.
Because love hath led thee to the
great river O. tears? Nay, child: tits a
winding river an crosses all the roads"
! He had taken her handkerchief and
with tender touch dried her eyes.
"Now I can see thee smiling, an thy
lashes, child-they are like the spray o
the fern tip when the dew Is on it."
| Polly rose and went away into the
house. Darrell wiped his eyes, and the
widow sat, her chin upon her hand
looking down sadly and thoughtfully
Darrell was first to speak.
i did it ever occur to We, Martha
| Vaughn, this child o. thine is near q
woman, but has seen nothing O. the
world?
~ think Of that Often" said she, the
| mothers feeling in her voice.
'Well, if I understand him, it's O
point Of honor with the boy not tc
| pledge her to marriage until she has
! seen more O. life an made sure of he,
own heart Now, consider this: Lei
her go to the school at Hlllsborough
an I'll pay the cost"
The widow looked up at him without
- ~ I.