Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-12-24

= uTtI WIS WIttcuSd luuteu. ne Nhutu
not see her. but every morning he
came and interviewed her friends and
with bold awk wardness would send
message Of hope for her recovery. Gen
orally he brought a bird for her break
fast, saying with his inimitable drawl:
Il come to brung this for the little
| girl. an | trus' she is gettin we'll"
1t was not long before the glorious
southern winter brought color to the
pale cheeks. rounded their outlines and
| impaired strength to the weakened
frame, for she would sit for hours out
in the sunshine. stretched off in
roomy steamer chair. Meanwhile John
ME passed back and forth attending to
his duties or stopped and talked in his
long. slow way, trying to find out what
other service he might be able to rem
der her. One day he told her in his
quaint phraseology:
~ sho' am proud you be gettin' bet
ter. for sometimes | thought you was
a-dyin'. but next time you would look
up and laugh--just as happy. 1 was
| pitiful in my heart of you"
The girl grew we'll rapidly, and the
| family rejoiced. Johnnie was gayly
sympathetic and still brought her
squirrels and birds so the strength of
the game food should build her up.
| The fields were full of birds. and his
capacious pockets served as game
bags. Often drawing one from their
depths. he would present it to her,
saying. with broad smile:
II brung you turckledove,' and
then laugh aloud with delight when he
saw her interest and pleasure.
Johnnie's sister was to be married,
and all at the farm were invited. The
girl and her friend and the friends
mother went. amused and pleased in
anticipation of the novel experience.
Johnnie met them. radiant Ill holiday
attire. and presented them duly to his
whole family. laying the hospitalities
Of their home at the feet of the Wis
tors.
Around the girl the admiration of
the entire asSemblage centered. She
eclipsed in interest the attendants, the
groom, the bride herself The father
declared her to be the purtiest girl |
ever seed" while the mother, sisters
and various women who were present
gazed at her in dumb admiration. Not
so the little nine year-old brother
cute, curly haired and unafraid. Ac-
customed TO frankly speak his mind,
he planted himself firmly in front OF
her. his hands upon his hips, and
gravely announced:
"You sho'ly is purty-the purdest
lady that's ever been an come about
here"
The girl used her camera and per-
| petuated the wedding scene. receiving
ecstatic thanks from her admirer and
| all who belonged TO him. Indeed. the
rough farmhouse well deserved being
photographed. for it had been turned,
within and without. into bower OF
rustic beauty in honor of the occasion.
It was wreathed with graceful gray
moss and garlanded with evergreens,
and the glowing crimson berries OF
holly and bramble vine mixed with the
snowy waxen clusters of the native
mistletoe. 1t evinced taste aud an in
| udlG SGuSG Ol tue DGdulllul anu III llSllC
quite unlocked for among this class
but the great wide chimney, with its
roaring light wood fire. Ihrew its dane
ing golden radiance over decorations
as beautiful as any bride could desire.
70 the girl fresh from a great city
and its conventions everything was
new. interesting. charming. and John
| MI siS N &c u aa n
nestly:
"Johnnies always thinkin' after
nanny an me. He's sho'ly a good
boy. He never drinks nothin. an he
don't smoke, an he don't chew none.
an he never goes out nowhere less
we says we don't want him at home.
Johnnie II do mos any kin of work
so it helps long nanny an me, an |
always says that when boy is good
to his own people he'll sho'ly be good
to his wife"
/ The friend heard the conversation.
understood and smiled. Johnnie was
uncouth and ignorant, but he was suf-
fciently the lover TO endeavor to turn
everything to his advantage.
upon another holding was being erect
ed for the family at the farm, and into
this they, with their guest. soon NOV
ed. She could walk a little now with
out her crutches. and Johnnie came
and planted trees and shrubbery while
she looked on and directed. Every one
teaSed the girl about the countryman's
! davotion hut she smiled on him kind
ly and made him happy by her interest
in his simple talk. while almost inn
perceptibly some of his rough edges
were smuOthed away.
Soon came The spring and the wild
! flowers and the Joyous gathering OF
luscious berries. and then III the height
, OF all this beauty the girl had TO re-
+ turn to her city home. Johnnie griev-
! ed. de soon ceased coming to the