Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-08-13
JOHNNIE.
A Story Of q City Girl In
the Country.
vD 11~e
5u By LEE C. HARDY
- re
Copyright. 1909. by American. Press
Association.
By LEE C. HARDY.

70 Association =. ' ~ :
o.-o~o-o~o~o~oo~
She came from New York. and she
had been told that she would die of
ennui at the farm. But she did not
mind. because she loved the friends
l. who lived there. and. besides. she was
Eweak and ailing and needed the warm,
y sweet out Of doors Of the south, to help
b her bear the trial Of invaiidismy and to
isreeoncile her to the uso Of ), her abb
horred clutches. 80 aih- \
In the country around were many
farmers native to the soil--honest.
democratic. illiterate. Not man OF
| them but considered himself, lust as
/ good as any one else In the whole
| world. They cared little for money,
+ recognized no difference in classes,
knew nothing OF culture and but little
OF refinement. They were staiwart
and brave and held as an article Of
faith that all women were to be pro.
tected and cared for.
johnnie was farmers son and add
ed to his Unborn and inherited traits a
certain individual coxcombry OF dress.
evinced I'm his corduroy trousers. his
short box coat Of tan cloth. worn over
n full. unstarched white shirt belted
In about his trim waist; his gnuntieted
red tan gloves and n partridge feather
stuck through the band of his soft
felt hat. This costume he donned
when going to 1.-The borough" as they
called the little town near by, but
when coming to the farm. WHARF, he
helped" to cut hay. dig sweet pota-
toes and do other such things. he wore
any old clothes. with neither collar
nor tie-indeed. he was often lacking
in these essentials of civilization even
when clad In his very best
DpiJohnnie WAS present when the girl
frstarrived. and his heart had swelled
with pity for the helplessness that was
so apparent. She was dainty and fair,
and he thought her far more beautiful
than any one he had ever seen before.
Her friend. with all her womanly att
i fractions. suffered. In his opinion, by
the contrast. and this he did not hest
tate to express frankly, saying: .r
Miss Daisy, you're mighty purity,
but you can't hold a candle tosthat lit.
tie girl from New York"
! 1T was all a source of constant fun
to the home family. but they were
careful not to say or do anything that
| would wound the man by hurting his
self love. Instead they treated, him
according to his own standard, which
only made his admiration more .ap.
|. parent and outspoken.
{ When the girl was taken so III her ad.
mirer was wretched indeed. He could
not see her. but every morning he
came and interviewed her friends and
with bold awkwardncss would send n
I message Of hope for her recovery. Gen
tzeEally he brought bird for her break
fast, saying with his inimitable drawl:
= 81 come to brung this for the little
GINS an trus' she is gettin' well"f
|" 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 Il
roonny steamer chair. Meanwhile John
ME passed back and forth attending to
his duties or stopped and talked ia 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 phraseoIogy:
t'''-"I 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. was
spitiful In my heart OF YOU"
~ The girl grew well rapidly. and the
family rejoiced. Johnnie was gayly
sympathetic and still brought her
Itsquirrels and birds so the strength OF
I,the game food should build her up.
The fields were full OF birds. and his
scapacious pockets served as game
Fbags. Often drawing one from their
depths. he would present it to her
Saying, with broad smile; "a
IL brung you turckledove." and
Rthen laugh aloud with delight when be
saw her interest and pleasure.
e. Jobnnie's sister was to I've married.
Eand all at the farm were invited. The
Egirl and her friend and the friends
Fhother went. amused and pleased in
participation OF the novel experience.
t.Johnnie met them. radiant In holiday
Fattire. and presented them duly to his
Ewlole family, laying the Inequalities
Eof their home at the feet of the Wis
lJtors
Around the girl the admiration OF
tthe entire assemblage conferred She
Eeclipsed In interest the attendants. the
Broom. the bride herself The father
Esleclared her TO he "thp purtiest girl /
Feyer seed" while the mother, sisters
Epnd various women who were prdsent
tgazed at her In dumb admiration. isNdt
30 the little nine-year-old brotiierL
Eute. curly haired and unafraid. Ac.
Vfustomed to frankly speak his B,ind.
DE planted himself firmly in front of
Eher. his hands upon his hips. and
Egravelyi announced:
n you sho'ly Is purty-thc purtiest
4ady that's ever been an come about
kherey So =
IS The girl used her camera and per.
!.