The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-31
TIE DALI
SHORT STORY
John Pumpkin
BY CI4ARIssA atACKIE.

John Pumpkins home!" an-
isouncsd Miss Priddy, holding on
seo her shabby old garden hat. Her
black eyes regarded Elsie With
curiosity,
Who Is John Pumpkin" Elsie
Struggled to remember-She won
Aeisred II he was some one she
really ought to recollect at once,
Misc Priddy's brother-In-law or
some relative?
Forgotten" The old lady's
tone was Gc;d.s
81 do remember. It's your
new man Of all work" All the
time Elsie was saying 10 herself,
John PumpkIn'--I have heard
hat name-and II has pleasant as
soclatlons---"
Y you ought to know who tits,
since you nicknamed him that
years ago, and made him laugh
fIug stock N the school--aud, be-
sides. 1 haven't any new hired
nah and John Marsh la home
again. 70 stay" shc ended trsum'
Iphantly.
Elsie's face was pink with OK
element. AS lshe loft Miss rrId-
d. = trim garden and walked on
in tho gusty October afternoon,
she could wildly picture Il groat
freckled-faced lad whose shock Of
thick yollow-red hair had inspired
her misohievous llttle-girl mind
and tongue to dub him John
Pumpkin" In spite OF the fact
tkat he was the only son OF the
sfsat Judge Marsh, the name
clung to him, and the boy had
taken Il good-naturedly, Elsie re-
! membered that lie had called her
a sauce box" and she did not
sDrget his solemn brown eyes as
did SO.
AS she busted herself about the
khouse that afternoon she found he:.
self thinking more than once OF
,Sphn Marsh and what his home
(o5ning might mean to the folks OF
yIIittle River. He had graduated
from college, had Travelled In far
( countries and had fought in the
great war, but Little River had not
seen him for fifteen years. The old
Nudge and his wife had died and
.9the big house mad been closed for
wears. Some one had met John
Yin New York and brought the newr
that he was lawyer. So the tiny
world ot Little River forgot John
Pumpkin.
eJohn Marsh Is home again."
said her mother that same nttor'
noon, returning home from her
sewing circle. They say he IS
: staying al the big house"
ut must be lonely there" re.
marked Elsie, as she pu: the fin
ishins touches to the supper Ia
BILE.
Maria Ellen's keeping house tos
him. they, say"
II wonder If he was ever maj,
1 riedT
"All the other women are ask,
ing the same question, said Mrs,
Hill drily. at isn't likely that a
man in his position would look
twice at our little village girls! His
4 high position and his wealth and
Syedpcation would lead him to choose
A1AfISe In his own social set"
kPooh!" shifted Elsie. scornfui.
|. ", as she holpsd her mother to i
piece Of frosted cake. 'he Is only
fiohn Pumpkin. after ALL"
.'Eisle!" shrieked her mother. 81
forbid you to rake up that old nick
name after all these years. Mrs
Marsh never forgavc you for It,"
"Yes, she did. mother" protested
Elsie, blushing. II went and apollo
gized to Mrs. Marsh, and she was
Neiy about It."
y. You did? When was that?"
Ever SO long ago-beiore he left
the village. 1t was when IL had the
scarlet fever. think"
Mrs. Hill stared.
Scarlet fever? And that's where
you caught it-and nearly d!ed?" =
Eyes. nother-but | didn't de
! after all, and was sorry for all Tho
trouble I made. Speaking OF John
Pumpkin (just to you. dearly
| want a'pumpkin from the garden to
/ morrow to make some pies"
Very we'll: you better pick 1t tc
night, then-there's just one or two