Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-04-04

"Nheo ouhe e<iofe Anna Maria's
gate.
A little later she came out arrayed
all her glory, She passed through
ne gate which the smiling Gabe held
pen for her, and stepped lightly into
he buggy, Sike turned one inquisitive
glance over her shoulder, and then,
Ninking slowly TO herself, consented to
Dc nnhitehed and TO jog leisurely to-
ward the country roads. What Gabe
SAID to Anna Maria and what Anna
Maria said TO 6abe on that drive is not
recorded. But il is evident that the
lover had been preparing his lady for
something momeatous, for upon re-
turning late that afternoon he paused
as he helped her alight, and whispered.
'oftly; Il got sompin' mo- to say to
YOU"
As they entered the house. the smell
OF baking biscuits and of frying pork
issailed their nostrils. Aunt Hannah
Moore also had recognized this as
gala-day, and was putting herself out
to lay such feast for her daughters
sutton as he should rememb Der for many
day TO come. Gabe sat down in the
spiek-and-span front room.
Mas biscuits cert'n'y does smell
seanlous," Anna Maria commented.
agreeably.
Gabe's mind was too full Of his mis-
sion 10 heed the remark. The mo-
mentous second had arrived-the Sec
ond that held the fruition Of all his
ambitions, all his dreams. He
pumped down on his knees at her
feet. "oh, Anna Maria" he cried.
Anna Maria, amt you gwine hab me
now?"
Anna Maria turned on him look full
OF startled surprise, which soon turned
20 anger and disdain. Look hyeah,
Gabe," she said, wrathfully, what's de
mattah wild you? Is you done TUX leah
oh yo' senses? Amt you got no 'spect
To- a lady's feelin's? Heah Ise tiahed
and hongry, an you come 'roun' talk
in sich foolishness ez dat. No. I amt
gwine hab you. Git up f'om dahl, an
ac' sensible. lse hongry. / is"
Gabe got up sheepishly, busting his
knees. Anna Maria turned TO the win
dow. He took his hat, and let him.
self out Of the dor.
| "Heyo, Brotha Gabe. wha you
gwine? You amt gwine way TO- sup
pah, am you? We got some monstous
fine middlin' daih fryin' speshly TO-
YOU" was the greeting from Anna
Maria's father.
"D'you want TO buy Suke? Ise gwine
way f'om hyeah."
whats de mattah'd you?" was the
old mans quick question.
Use done filed all de 'quirements
YOU tot me, an axed Anna Maria gain,
an she won't hab me, an Ise gwine
way"
'No, v amt. Set down"
Gabe seated himself beside his ad.
WISER.
"W'en you ak Anna Maria?"
'Jes now"
"Oomph, oomph, oomph," said the
old man, refiectively; and he went on:
"Gabe, 70 a ha'd-wo'kin', money-sav
in. long-haided man you sholy has go'
less sense dan anybody know"
whats | done now?" said Gabe
disconsolately. "Ain't filled all d.
'quirements? Amt l satisfied huh
soul? Amt chawmed huh yeah
Amt ! pleased huh eye? Now wha
mo'-oh. faint no use!"
"Hor on, hoP on, say; yo' done al
desc t'ings. You's satisfied huh soul
you's chawmed huh yeah, you,
pleased huh eye. an she's jes read.
TO you, but Lawd a massy pom me
amt you got mo- sense dan to pol
de question to lady wen she hungry
Gabe. you got lots to Farm"
"'Tain't no use, Unc' Ike; eff she ca
suppah an git satisfied, den she ain
gwine need me-"
"You set down an wait till aftal
suppah, | say"
and Gabe went in with the black Solo
mon. During the blessing Anna Marii
was cold and distant, but when the frs
biscuit was passed to her her fac
frightened. She half smiled as sh'
broke it open and filled its hot interio
with rich yellow butter. The smil'
was on full force when she had taste'
the brown, crisp "middlin'," and by tn,
time she had the Jackets" off tw'
steaming potatoes her face was. beam
ing.
With wonder and joy Gabe watches
the metamorphosis take place, ant
Uncle Ike had constantly to keel
nudging or kicking him under TIL
table to keep from betraying him
self.
When the supper was done, and i
went on to merry ending, Aunt Han
nah refused Anna Maria's help wit
mock fierceness. and Uncle Ike wen
, out on the porch to smoke. Only tn
front room was left for Anna Mari
and Gabe, and thither they went.
Gabe liSgered for awhile on tn
brink, and then plunged in: "Ann
Maria, Ise failed an failed, an Is
waited an waited. Is you-is you
will you hab me now?"
ia, Gabe Halls, you is de Deafness!
DIT bar hand slipped into his