Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-24


Alf put me down, and, saying that III
must get back home, drove away; ant
hush fell upon the children as turn
ed toward the house. Inside l found {
COW bell, and when l had rung th'
youngsters to their duties, made then
short speech, telling them that l wa
sure we should become close friends
had some difficulty in arranging then
into classes, for it appeared that eacl
child had brought an individual book
But 1 was glad to see that old McGuf'
fy's readers prevailed, for in many
parts of the south they had been sup
planted by books of fiimsy text, ant
now to see them cropping up gave mt
great pleasure. There they were, witt
the same old lessons that had fired me
with ambition, the words Of Shakes
peare and the speeches of great Amer
leans.
BY evening my work was well laiC
out. and as took my way homeward
with Guinea in my mind. there was g
strong surge within my breast, the
leaping of a determination to win her.
As neared home, coming round by
the spring, saw the girl running dowr
the path. the picture Of a young deel
and how that picture did remain with
me, and how on an occasion held by the
future, it was to be vivified.
"Oh, you have got back safe and
dry" she cried, halting upon seeing
me- why, thought you would come
back dripping No, didn't" she quick
ly added. Don't you know I told you
that all the large boys were at work?
Wait until get the jar of butter and
I'll go to the house with you"
Let me get it for you," replied
turning back with her.
You can't get it," she said, laugh
ing; you'll fall into the spring. But
then. you might hold it as remem-
brance to temper the severity of the
ducking yet to come"
Miss Guinea" I made bold to say
standing at the door of the spring
house. do you know that you talk
with exceeding readiness?
"Oh, do you mean that l am always
ready to talk? I didn't think that OF
YOU"
I reached out and took the jar from
from her. You know I didn't mean
that" I said; and, looking up, with hel
eyes full of mischief, she asked: What
did you mean, them"
Il mean that you talk easily and
brightly-like a book"
You'd better let me have the jar
she said. holding out her hands. "Tu
afraid that you'll fall and break it, af-
ter that. You know that man Is
never so likely to slip as he is when
he's trying to compliment a woman"
No. I don't know that, but | dc
know that southern woman ought to
know the difference between f1attery
and a real compliment"
why southern woman?' she ask
ed. She looked to me as If she were
really in earnest and l strove to an
swer her earnestly.
Because southern women are not
given to flirting; because they place
more reliance in what man says,
and"
81 think you've got yourself tangled
up," she said, laughing at me, and
could but acknowledge that l had;
and then it was, in the sweetest OF
tones, that she said: But If 1 had
thought you really were tangled
would not have spoken of 1t. Now tell
me what you were going to say, and l
promise to listen like mouse in a
corner"
No, I'm afraid to attempt it again.
I was in advance of her, for the path
was narrow and the dew was now
gathering on the grass, but she shot
past me. and, looking back, said be-
seechingly: Wont you, please" the
sun was long since down and the twi-
light was darkening, but l could see
the eagerness on her face. DO, please,
for 1 like to hear such things. I'm
nothing but the simplest sort of girl
as easy to amuse as child, and you
must remember that you are great
big man. from out in the world
Come on with that butter!" the old
man shouted, and with laugh the girl
7 l.
er she were playing with me, but l
could not believe that she was. In
those eyes there might be mischief but
there could not be deceit.
Bed time came Immediately after
supper. The old man did not go out
To look after his chickens, so tired was
he. and there was no song in the sit
ting room. I sat in the passage, where
the moonlight, fell. and hoped that the
girl might Join me. but she did not,
and I went to my room, where | found
Alf. half undressed. sitting on the edge
of the bed l had sat down and had
filled my pipe before he took notice OF
me, but when l began to search about
for light he looked up and remarked:
"Natches on the corner Of your libra
ry"
Here's one" | replied, and had
lighted the pipe when he said: saw
her today. Bill-saw her riding along
the road with Dan Stuart. She didn't
even look over in the field toward me,
but he waved his hand, and | saw
more hatred than friendship in it.
Blame it all. Bill. I'm not going to fol-
low a pillow through the dirt all the
time. | can do something better. and
after this crops laid by I'm going to
do it. don't think that she wants
to marry a farmer.
What does Stuart do?" asked
"How can he afford to be riding about
when other men are at work.
oh I guess he's pretty well fixed
He's got lot Of negroes working Tor
him and he raises good deal of to-
bacco. No. sir she didn't even look
toward me-"
But haven't you passed her house
when YOU were almost afraid to look
toward the porch when YOU knew that
cbe was standing there"