Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-28
last farewell.
CHAPTER AXvII.
Strikel dinel dingl
Strikel dingi dinEi
The iron glows,
Aud loveth good blows
A fire drfh heflnVra

hhe the race or some Ftre-god or Sala-
mander. In the corner, perched securely
out OF reach Of stray sparks sits the
Ancient, snuff-box in hand as usual.
stand, feet well apart, and swing the
great 'sledge," TO whose dlapason
Georges hand-hammer beats a tlnkling
melody, coming in after each stroke with
ring and clash exact and true, as is.
and has been, the way OF masters OF the
smithing craft all the world over from
time immemorial.
George" said 1, during a monetary
lun, leaning my hands upon the long
hammer-shaft, you don't sing"
mo, Peter"
And why not2'
II think Peter"
But surely you can both think and
sing, George2"
mot always, Peter"
What's the trouble, George?"
mo trouble, Peter" said he, above the
roar of the bellows.
Then sing, George"
"Ay, Jarge sing" nodded the Ancient;
1t is a poor cart as never rejices, an
that's in the Scripters-so sing, Jarge."
George did not answer but, with a turn
OF his mighty wrist, drew the glowing
iron from the fire. And once more the
sparks fly, the air is full of the clink of
hammers. and the deep-throated Song OF
the Anvil, in which even the Ancient
joins, In voice somewhat quavery, and
generally a note or two behind but with
great gusto and good will notwithstand-
ing:
Strike! dingl dingl
Strike ding! dingv'
in the middle of which 1 was aware of
one entering to us, and, presently turn
ing round, espied Prudence with a great
basket on her arm Hereupon hammers
were thrown aside and we Strengthened
our backs. for in that basket was our
supper.
Very fair and sweet Prudence looked,
1.-the and vigorous, and straight as a
young poplar, with her shining black hair
curling Into little tight rings about her
ears, and with great, shy eyes, and red,
red mouth. Surely, a man might seek
very far ere he found such another maid
as this brown-cheeked, black-eyed village
beauty.
Good evening, Mr. Peterr' she said,
dropping me courtesy with a grace that
could not have been surpassed by any
duchess In the land but, as for poor
George, she did not even notice him,
/ neither did he raise his curly head nor
: glance toward her.
You came Just when you are most
needed, Prudence" said l, relieving her
Of the heavy basket, for here here be
two hungry men,"
i'Three!" broke in the Ancient, $50
| 'ungry as a lion, l be!' =
Three hungry men. Prudence, who
have been hearkening for your step this
half hour or more"
Quoth Prudence, shyly: For the sake
of my basket?"
la he -.
so ravenous as a tiger, 1 bev'
mo" said I, shaking my head, basket
or no basket you are equally welcome,
Prudence-hOw say you, George?" But
George only mumbled in his beard. The
Ancient and / now set to work putting
up an eXtemporized table. but as for
George, he stood staring down, moodily
into the yet glowing embers of the forge
Having put up the table, l crossed to
where Prudence was busy unpacking her
basket.
Prudence" said l, "are you stlr at
odds with George?' Prudence nodded.
But" said I, ''he is such a splendid
fellow His outburst the other day was
quite natural, under the circumstances
surely you can forgive him, Prudence"
There be more nor that betwixt US,
Mr.. Peter" sighed Prudence. "'Tis his
drinlIin'; six months ago he promised
me never to touch another drop-an' he
broke his word wi me-"
But surely good ale, In moderation
will harm no man-nay, on the con-
trary-"
But large bean't like other men, Mr..
Peterl"
mo: he is much bigger and stronger!
said l, land 1 never saw handsomer
fellow"
yes" nodded the girl. $50 strong as
giant. an so weak as little child"
Indeed, Prudence" said /, leaning
nearer to her In my earnestness, 81 think
you are little unjust to him. So far as
know him, George is anything but
weak-minded or liable to be led into
anything"
Hearing the Ancient chuckle gIeefuIly.
glanced up to find him nodding and
winlxing 10 Black George who stood with
folded arms and bent head. watching us
from beneath mis- brows, and, as his eyes
met mine. thought they cleaned
strangely in the firelight
"Come, Prue," said the Ancient
bustiing forward. tables ready-let's sit
down an eat-faintin' an famishin' away
/ bel'
SO we presently sat down. all three of
us. while Prudence carved and supplied
our wants. as only Prudence could
And after a while, our hunger being
appeased, l took out my pipe, as did the
Ancient and George theirs likewise, and
together we hlled them. slowly and care
fully, as pipes should be illed. while
Prudence folded long paper spill
wherewith TO light them the which she
proceeded TO do, beginning at her grand
fathers churchwarden. Now. while she
was lighting mine. Black George sud
denly rose, and, crossing to the forge,
took thence a glowing coal with the
tongs, thus doing the ONCE for himself
All at once I saw Prue's hand was
trembling. and the spill was dropped or
ever my tobacco was well alight; then
she turned swiftly away, and began re-
placing the plates and knives and forks
In her basket
''Be you'm a-goln'. Prue1'' inquired the
Ancient mumblingly, for his pipe was in
full blast,
"Yes, gran'fer,"
'@Then tell simon as TIL be along In 'arf
an hour OF 50, win zee, lass2'
Yes. gran'ferT' Always with her back
to us.
"Then kiss We old Granddaughter as
loves zee. an means for to see zee well
bestowed, an wed one o. these fine
daysi" Prudence stopped and pressed
her fresh red lips 70 his wrinkled old
cheek and, catching up her basket,
turned 20 the door. vet not so quickly
but that ! had caught the CLEAN OF tears
beneath her lashes. Black George half
rose from his seat. and stretched out his
hand toward her burden, then sat down
again as. with hasty ''Good-nieht" she
vanished through the yawning doorway.
And sitting fhefe we listened 70 her
quick. iiaht footsteps cross the road 70