Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-03


face at-h window, illuminated by a
freight. it's rhe prettiest sight he ever
saw. at any rate. if vista of heaven
had been opened to me couldn't have
been more delighted.
l whirled my chair around and sat
enraptured. The window was just
high enough from the ground and the
girl just tall enough to show her face
but not the rest Of her body. She
could see me fairly well by the light
of the fire.
who are you" she asked, land
what are you doing here?
I'm a pin peddler. and l stopped
here for overnight"
SIS that all? thought you must be
robber."
~ suppose u robber would be more
attractive to you than tin peddler."
Not a nice tin peddler."
There was some encouragement In
this. But | was curious to find out
about the house | was in.
Where did you come from"
asked.
From just over rise in the ground.
Our place is hidden by trees. l saw
smoke against the sky and came to
the hill to find out what it come from.
Since 1t was from this chimney
thought I'd come on and see who was
in the house"
I'm very glad to see you. I'm Gu
rious to know how the premises hap
pened to be left as they are. I've been
forming theories about 1t. Perhaps
you can tell me which theory Is cor
rect"
What are they?"
THAT couple" pointing to the picture
Of bride ana groom, had just been
married and come to live here. Is
that sOT
mo; another couple just married
did"
"Well, one of that other couple
died"
"No; they're both alive
''They had q spat and separated.
mo such thing"
.Then they were separated by that
crusty looking old woman whose pic
ture hangs there. She was the mother
in-law of one of them"
Not at all. She is my mother and
perfectly lovely"
Zone more guess. One or the Other
was extravagant. and that broke then
up"
You're no guesser None Of those
guesses is right
"Well. tell me-"
"Iy married sister lived here; that's
all. Her husbands father died ano
left hin, a better farm. They had to
20 right off and left everything as ii
was. They've been trying to sell this
one ever since"
What do they ask for it?'
Il don't know. but can find out il
you want to buy it. Pa can tell you
You'd better con+ over to our house
We have ii spare room"
Covering the fire. | went with th'
girl, met her father and mother anc
remained the night in the house.
apologized fer breaking into the vacan'
place. which they said was under theil
care. and asked them what 1t was tc
be bought for. They named fail
price. and | told them they might
write tne owner that I would buy the
properly. Somewhat surprised. they
asked why | wished that particular
property.
Because" | replied. Il am full OF
romance"
What did you say your business
is?' asked the old lady, she hy whose
picture | had judged her to be q moth
er-in-law.
"A tin peddler."
"Humph."
The girl who had, discovered me
laughed.
And what are you going to do with
it after you have bought t'it?" asked the
old man.
Live In It,"
But you're not married. are your
put in the Old woman.
NO. but I'm going TO be-
gave the girl look, and she blush
ed. She was the only one present who
suspected rly intentions. The others
4 49,, nf fIam
The next morning before leaving
shook hands with them all. the giris
hand lying In mine longer than the
others. | told them that ! would DE
along that way again in week apo
If they would have deed for the
farm and everything on it just as II
stood | would give them ii check fol
II. Then went to the barn. got my
team and drove away. The girl look
ed after me rather cur:ously. rs If she
could not believe her senses. for with
ont sreakiDg Il word to her had made
her understand that wished her tc
marry ne and set UP housekeeping
with ME in the vacant premises. This
she knew, but whether / would carry
out the proposition was another mat
ter.
That day week was on hand and
found II deed made out just as l want
ed it. had certified check for fhe
amount with me. and the TRANSACTION
was ended. Then drove away again
went by and stopped with my new
made friends quite regularly after
that. saying nothing to the girl about
what vas nanrcst our hearts I'LL ohe
aay when I was going again saw !;
tear In her eye. Then | put nay arm
around her and kissed her AID as!;n'
her to So. II day for the wedding.
WIN SAYS there's no r0lGInIG J.: /