The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-03-03

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Ih work and small re-
M ASA turns, to the ordinary
N N observer. Its build
" M ings were small and
w AlaaA ~ old and out of repair;
NS1ZV its fences were sag
WI ging In places; the
orchard, long past its prime, was dy-
Ing out, and the lack of money to buy
new trees had prevented the filling up
OF the vacant places. But in spite of
all Its drawbacks, the barren, rocky
ittle farm was a glorified place to
John Barrows that day in early
spring in the fifties; for that day
Jane Heath had promised to be his
wife. Jane had lived alone in the
little house in the village, left to her
on the death Of her father and mother
several years before, and always the
families had been friends. She was
a beautiful girl, with the glossy black
hair, the dark and sparkling blue eyes,
the firm apple cheeks and the sun
shiny nature and undaunted courage
of her Irish ancestors. She had never
been afraid to live alone-neither fear
of possible physical peril nor of the
mental attitude that sometimes Is
more to be dreaded even than thieves
or wandering beggars, by people who
have too much Of their own society
ever had disturbed her. She possessed
strength Of character which she
herself did not realize but which, In
promising to marry John Barrows
meant that she gave him her undying
devotion.
She had known John Barrows long
and intinately-since the days when
they went to the little village school
together. In later years, often she
had been a guest at the Barrows farm
house, wherein the family was made
up Of John and his mother and his
brother Andrew. Mrs. Barrows loved
the sunny-faced girl as a daughter
and Andy-Andy was the one source
Of apprehension to the otherwise en-
tirely happy young couple. An ami
cable agreement as to the division Of
the farm had been reached, but lately
Andy had seemed moody and despond
ent, and often he watched John and
Jane with jealous eyes. A few days
before Johns proposal, Andy had
asked Jane to marry him, but she had
gently refused.
Eyes. know why you won't marry
me- You're In love with John. He's
younger than I. and better favored,
and you've faiien In love with his
handsome face. But you're mine by
rights-as I'm the oldest / should
have the first choice. oh, do say you
love me, janet"
why. Andy, you know / couldn't
say that, when you know I do not
care for you in that way. I'm 80
sorry"
Il don't want your pity. Even II
you don't love me, l love you enough
for both-can't you marry me?
could fix 1t so we'd have all the farm
and you need never want for any
thing"
mo, Andy, I don't love you, and
never shall, and I'm not going t,
marry you. I'm sorry you feel so bad
can't we be friends?"
yes, we can be friends, but ever
If you won't marry me, neither shall
you ever marry John. Mark m,
words"
Andy Barrows had an intimat,
friend, Malcolm Thomson, q close
mouthed, crafty Scot, and to him And,
connded his troubles. Thompson con
sidered the matter, then advised And,
to be friendly to his brother and thu
lead him to think that he-Andy--wa
reconciled, but to bide his time
Plans for the marriage were dis
cussed, and Thanksgiving day was de
cided on for the wedding. The sal
of Johns share OF the seasons crop
and livestock, with the money--th
bank account dear to the heart @
every New Englander-which job
had IN the bank, would be enough t
build the little house, on the opposit
side. OF the field from the old one
on which the young couple had Ger
tered their dreams. John was worl
Ing his hardest to coax the old farr
to yield, and hauling logs and lumbe
IN odd hours for the new house an
outbuildings. One day, early in tn
fall. the brothers were working In tn
field near the house. The days wer
growing shorter, and Andy suggeste
that he remain In the field. workin
a. long as there was light. and tina
John 20 to the house to do the chores
John agreed, and went to his chore
with happy heart, thinking tina
Andy hadn't really been 50 great
disappointed, after all.
Mother" he said, as he brought |
the pals OF foaming milk. II believ
Andy's got all over being Jealous (
me. He's so pleasant and agreeabl
lately that l can't help thinking b
has forgiven me"
aHe had nothing to forgive, m
son." said Mrs. Barrows; ''but I'm q
clad as you are to see him In NOR
reasonable frame Of mind. only wis
there were two James. She Is goo'
sweet girl. At to be the wife OF an
man.
"Bless you for saying that. mothe