The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-03-01
"IN LOVE WITH A TRAMP.

charming little maid of sixteen summers.
Although she was still attending school,
knew she was in love but with whom did
not know.
In the evenings when crowd of us
gathered around the postofice, she always
had pleasant smile for each as she passed
by.
All of us were wild over her; time and
time again did we try to gain admission
to call on her, but her answer was always
the same-'I am too young" or "Mamma
don't allow
One night when I happened to have
the opportunity Of speaking to her, l put
hisquestion to er:-"Violst, why do you
always refuse to allow me to call? You
know your mother would not object
Seeing she was blushing somewhat at
my question, said, "Ah, l see! You
are already in love" "
She hesitated moment, then laughing,
she said, sYes, Harry, am in love. 1t
seems foolish for girl of my age to admit
to such thing, but really, Harry can't t
help it. He was such nice young man,
and I love him for two things
~ suppose it's because he's handsome
and has lots of money!" said.
"No," she replied, "he is not hand
some-not near as nice looking as you
and as for the money part, well, he has
nothing.
Just at this moment, her mother was
coming, and with pleasant bye-bye, she
was off like flash.
walked slowly on toward the Office.
There found three of my comrades. |
told them all; they seemed to take it as
hard as I, and to each it proved to be
mystery as to who the fellow could be.
Days came and went; weeks passed
by, months rolled on, year passed, and
still | found Violet the same sweet, kind
hearted little creature, always pleasant,
always sociable, yet not single change in
her heart
My comrades had given up all hopes
and in the meantime had married, but |
was not so easily bluffed. 1t was case
of Violet or nobody with me. True it
was, the more tried to gain her affections
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throug gh with her schooldays, and the only
opportunity 1 had seeing or speaking to
her was in the evenings, when she went
for the mail.
She was always sociable, and treated
me with the best of respect, as | walked
along with her, yet for all had pleaded
time after time to go in, she always stopped
me at the gate.
Another year rolled by. My comrades
all seemed happy in their own sweet homes,
while was still drifting along in single
blessedness, trying my best to make Violet
learn to love me.
Night after night, I waited at the office
for her. I had now gotten so far that |
was allowed the privilege of going into the
house. Evening after evening 1 spent
with her; my comrades were giving me
praise for being winner, but my only re-
ply was, "Faint heart never won any fair
lady," Time rolled on, nearly another
year passed, yet she would not listen to
my words of love.
1t was now Christmas Eve. [ called
and presented her lovely diamond ring.
She opened the box, looked at the ring
and said, "It is very pretty, but really,
Harry, can't accept it.
With this I fell at her feet, exclaim-
ing:-"But, Violet, you must. You
know I love you-always have loved you,
and Violet want you to accept this as an
engagement ring Come, now, dear, ac-
cept this ring and say you Il be mine,' but
her only answer was--"No, Harry, Icannot
accept it.. As a friend you have been
true as gold, you have been like brother
to me, and shall always be as sister to
you, but as for becoming your wife, it is
impossible. You know my heart belongs
to another-and you will do me great
favor by never asking such foolish ques-
tion again.
This was more than I could stand.
', hated the idea of giving her up, but l saw
no hopes of winning her, so on the follow
ing morning left the little village, saying
| would never return.
I went to the city, where | stayed and
lived miserable life for three years. Dur
ing that time 1 met lots of pretty girls, but
none seemed like Violet. I longed for
her day by day, 1 dreamed of her by night,
and thinking perhaps she had forgotten
her old love, [ decided to return to the
little village.
I arrived safe and sound, and the first
one to greet me was none other than Vio-
', let. Just the same charming little Great
ure, only much prettier than ever, and
seemingly much happier. "Why, Harry
Walton, [ thought you were dead!' she
exclaimed.
"Not quite, but guess it would matter
but little to you,'' l replied.
"Oh, Harry! how dare you talk like
that You know 1 always liked you, "
she said
"Yes," I replied, ''you always liked,
but never loved me-
At this she tossed her head back and
with laugh, said: "Come, Harry, we
will 90 to the house now. Mother will be
pleased to see you needed no more
invitation. We proceeded to her home;
there I was made welcome, and just as
had longed to see, I found there was a
change in Violet's heart. Two months
in the fullest of happiness I spent with
her. and at the end of this time the battle
was won, and she was mine. After she
had consented to become my wife l said,
"Now, Violet as we are soon to become
one, won you grant me one favor by tell
ing me of your ''old loveY'
She blushed little, but after while
looking up into my face, she said:
"Well, Harry, it was this way. Some
six years ago, certain young man came
| L l.Gs.-:x.o. f.,. Gaod Mnctlxr