Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-10-20

with the men whose favor he sought,
and bend his long back over scythe
or cradle and race them playfuly
across the field of grain cutting
wider swath than any other and al
ways holding the lead. Every man
was out Of breath at the end Of hin
swath and needed a few minutes for
recuperatiOn. That gave Abe chance
for his statement Of the county's needs
and his plan OF satisfying them. He
had met and talked with a majority
Of the voters before the campaign
ended IN his election in August.
At odd times that summer he had
been surveying new road with Har-
ry' Needles for his helper. In Sep
tember they resumed their work upon
1t in the vicinity of New Salem and
Abe began to carry the letters in his
hat again. Every day Ann was look
ing for him as he came by in the dim
light Of the early morning on his way
to work.
Anything for me?" she would ask.
mo mail in since saw you. Ann"
was the usual answer.
Often he would say: I'm afraid
not, but, here-you take these letters
and look through 'em and m0ke sure
Ann would take them in her hands,
trembling with eagerness, and run in
doors to the candlelight. and look them
over. Always she came back with the
little bundle of letters very slowly
as II her disappointment were a heavy
burden.
"There'll be one next mail If I have
70 write 1t myself Abe said one
morning in October as he went on.
To Harry Needles. who was with
him that morning, he said:
Il wonder why that fellow don't
write to Ann. I couldn't believe that
lie has been fooling her. but now
don't know what to think Of him.
wonder what has happened to the
fellow"
The mail stage was late that eve
ming. AS 1t had not come at nine Mr..
Hill went home and left Abe in the
store to wait for his mail. The stage
arrived few minutes later. Abe ex-
amined the little bundle of letters and
newspapers which the driver had left
with him. Then he took paper and
sat down to read in the freight.
While he was thus engaged the door
opened softly and Ann Rutledge en-
tered. The postmaster was not aware
Of her presence until she touched his
arm.
please give me letter." she said.
Sit down. Ann" said he, very gent
~, as he placed chair in the fire.
glow.
She took it, turning toward him
with a look of fear and hope. Then
he added:
I'm sorry, but the truth is 1t didn't
come. It is terrible, Ann, that have
to help in this breaking Of your heart
that is going on. I seem to be the
head Of the hammer that hits you so
hard, but the handle is in other hands.
Honestly, Ann. wish could do the
suffering for you-every bit Of it-and
give your poor heart rest. Hasn't
he written you this summer?"
mot since July TENTH" she an
swered. Then she confided to Abe
that her lover told her before he went
away that his name was not Mcneil
but McNamar; that he had changed
his name to keep clear of his family
until he had made success; that
he had gone East to get his father
and mother and bring them back with
him; lastly she came to the thing
that worried her most-the suspicion
If her father and mother that John
was not honest. 'They say that he
probably had wife when he came
here-that that is why he don't write
to me-"
Then after little silence she plead
ed: "You don't think that, do you,
Abe?"
"No." said the latter. giving her
the advantage of every doubt. "John
did foolish thing, but we must not
condemn him without knowledge of
the facts. The young often do foolish
things and sickness would account for
his silence. You go home and 90 to
sleep and stop worrying. Ann. You'll
get that letter one Of these days"