Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-14
JOHNNIE
A Story Of a City Girl In
the Country
By LEE C. HARDY
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
Association.
By LEE C. HARRY

"O'"o ~'O'~OO.cO"O~OSO'
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
who lived there. and. besides, she was
weak and ailing and needed the warm,
sweet out OF doors of the south TO help
her bear the trial of invalldlsm and to
reconcile her to the use of her alb
hurrcd crutches.
In the country around were many
farmers native to the soll-honest,
democratic. illiterate. Not man of
them but considered himself Just as
good rs 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 stalwart
and brave and held us an article of
faith that all women were to be pro-
tected and cared for.
Johnnie was farmers son and add
cd to his Unborn and inherited traits a
certain individual coxcombry of dress,
evinced In his corduroy trousers, his
short box coat of tan cloth, worn over
n fun. unsturched white shirt belted
in about his trim waist; his gauntleted
red tan gloves and n partridge feather
stuck through the band Of his soft
felt hat, This costume he donned
when going to the borough" as they
called the little town near by, but
when coming to the farm, where 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.
Johnnie was present when the girl
first arrived 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 at
fractions. suffered In his opinion. by
the contrast. and this he did not hest
tate to express frankly. saying:
Miss Daisy, you're mighty purity,
but you can't hold a candle to that lit
tie girl from New York"
II was all 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 Ill her I'D.
mirer was wrrtched indeed. He could
not see her but every morning he
came and interviewed her friends and
with bold awk wardness would send a
message OF hope for her recovery. Gen
orally he brought bird for her break
fast. saying with his inimtable dra wi;
II come to brung this for the little
girl. an trus' she Is gettin we'll"
II 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 10 a
roomy steamer chair. Meanwhile John
ME passed back and forth attending to
his duties or stopped and talked In his
long. slow way. trying 10 find out what
other service he might be able TO rem
der her One day he told her In his
quaint phraseology:
Il sho' am proud you be gettln' bet
ter. for sometimes ! thought you was
a-dyIn'. but next time you would look
up and lnugh just as happy. ! was
pitiful In my heart OF you"
The girl grew well 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 1t to her,
saying. with a broad smile:
II brung you iurckledoye.' and
then laugh aloud with delight when he
saw her interest and pleasure.
Johnnles sister was to be married,
and all ut 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 In holiday
attire. and presented them duly to his
whole family. laying the inequalities
Of their home at the feet OF the WIS.,
itors.
Around the girl the admiration Of
the entire assemblage centered She
ecllpsed In interest the attendants. the
groom. the bride herself The father
declared her to be 1.-The purtlest girl
ever seed" while the mother sisters
and various women who were present
gazed at her In dumb admiration. Not
so the little nine-ye0r-old brother
cute. curly haired and unafraid Ac.
customed TO frankly speak his mind.
be planted himself firmly In front OF
her. his hands upon his hips, and
gravely announced:
"You sho'ly is purty-the purtlest
lady that's ever been an come about
here"
The girl used her camera and per.
Detuated the wedding scene. receiving
ecstatic thanks from her admlrer and
all who belonged TO him. Indeed. the
rough farmhouse well deserved being
photographed. for II had been turned
within and without. into bower Of
rustic beauty IN honor OF the occasion