The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-10-31

ihCo aiods AZ iSlNC" WV INV oA's
had a pew well up under the chancel.
but occupied a place Of honor among
the middle aisle aristocracy. | had
never heard Miss Ellen sing and did
not know now whether she was so
prano or alto. ! was tempted sorely
to look around just once to see her in
the organ loft. but so many Eyes were
fixed on me that | kept mine fixed re-
ligiouSly on the minister. After SER
MOI the Turpins held quite Il recep-
ton under the pines in the yard. and
| was given an opportunity of seeing
in what respect they were held in the
county Several OF the young men in
vited me to hunt with them INC OF
fered me their guns. shells and dogs.
I'VE know Bud is pretty busy they
would say. 80 If you give the word we
will ride by for you some day this
week" Miss Ellen was the enter OF
attraction. and every man tried 10 edge
himself within the circle hat sur
rounded her in order to receive one
passing remark from her at least.
She seemed entirely unconscious of the
influence she eXerted in her limited
sphere. yet apparently took this hon.
age for granted. or so 1t appeared to
me.
W. must have a dance in the hall
while Mr.. Palmer is here" | heard her
saying to some OF the girls who were
standing near. at which they immedi-
ately set up such a clatter and chatter
as a hundred sparrows might be ex-
pected to make upon the first warm
day in spring. The following Friday
was settled as the day. and all. boys
and girls as well. agreed to come
Thursday and help coo the supper
for the party. and each agreed. too. to
bring something. Margaret Robert
son said she would bring all the sugar
needed for the cake. Bert Simmons
promised three quarts of cream for the
sillabub, and Jim Barrett said he
would make up the rest that might be
needed. Ruth Howard would donate
flour. and another offered chickens for
the salad. and so on down the list.
"Be sure to bring them picked.
George Adams" said Miss Ellen.
laughing. to the lad who had donated
the chickens, for If Sally Stovall is
there you will be of no assistance, as
we know from experience. And two
of you girls must come prepared to
spend the night OF the ball to help clear
away the remnants the next day" All
volunteered. and Miss Ellen had a hard
fitnn tn nhnnCn hntuynar tha,, $50 h;~I,
ly was this honor priced. The rector,
coming out and hearing what all the
chatter was about, delivered a lecture
upon the frivolity of youth and ended
by saying:
And If no one has seen about the
music | promise to furnish that as my
share. | will bring my old violin and
be one Of the band myself" which an
nouncement was greeted with ap
plause, for | heard afterward that no
one could keep such good time as Mr.
Lamb. and the darky band always
played better when he led it.
That afternoon a number Of older
people in the county called, and Miss
Ellen served tea on the shady side of
the house under the porch. Later Bud
and | rode horseback. He tool me To-
see the camping ground Of General
Sherman. which Miss Ellen had point.
ed out 10 me the night of my arrival,
and from there we took a circuitouS
route home. He told me many of the
difficulties of farming in the county.
We passed & number of farmers, and
from each | learned something and
stored up in my mind many a quaint
a%necdote for my letters from these
simple country folk. One time when
Bud had ridden forward to consult
some n about getting extra hands !
rode up to a stolid looking individual
whom | saw sitting on a rail fence
near by whiting n stick. His beard
and hair were unkempt. and his whole
attitude was one Of supreme indiffer.
ence to his surroundings.
Good morning" | said.
Same to you" he answered without
looking up to see who had addressed
him.
How are our crops this year," /
asked.
Poor was his monosyllabic reply.
Good last year?"
"Nup," with maddening indifference.
II hope your crops will be better
next year" ventured again.
Doubt It," was all he would answer.
The field back of him did not look en-
couraging. Despairing finally of get
ting any information from him, | drew
rein, preparing to join Bud, adding.
however. before leaving:
well. that's too bad"
With sudden animation he stopped
whiting for a moment to look up and
remark:
faint az bad as you think. my
friend. ! don't own this land"
| rode off. laughing at this quaint
conception of the value OF land He
had not intended to be either witty or
humorous. but was sincere in trying to
disabuse my mind Of a false impress
Cinn miuhf horn of tho nvtont ~ ii.