The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-04-04
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:. A HEART HISTORY.
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By Lou Bell

Loves autocracy must form the
theme of my first romance from the
real; indeed, # the truth was known
there are but few heart histories IN
whose compilation that troublesome
little sprite has not more OF less IN
terfered. Margaret Willis, with that
bright. sparkling eye Of hers. and her
sunny smile, shall attest the truth OF
my words.
The proprietor of the great Willis
farm. which covers more than 100
acres of the richest land in one OF the
New England states, is a true specl-
men of one of her stalwart sons, her
independent. industrious farmer, .
noble race, uniting purity, sound
sense and a high standard of moral
worth. Hospitable, kind and thrifty,
not over generous; yet, far removed
from avarice which would refuse a
helping hand to those who would rise
in the world, if they had the means TO
start with, or close their door upon
the weary wayfarer Of this class IS
Andrew Willis.
A few words upon the domestic
economy of the Willis farm. Mr..
Willis is widower; and my little
heroine, Margaret, is his only child.
People wondered, as people will, why
such a young looking, hale, hearty
man as Andrew Willis did not marry
again; but when asked about it, ne
always replied, first, he was 100 much
hurried about his farm work TO spend
time courting and marrying; second
old Hannah, who had lived with his
father before him, though old, was
first rate manager, and heaven forbid
that he unloose her tongue by even
suggesting bringing another Mrs.
Willis to the farm. And so, year
after year, Hannah stood her ground,
holding undisputed sway in both kit
chen and hall. She looked upon An
drew Willis as mere boy. She term
ed him "the boy" when speaking to
her cronies. As for Margaret, she
would have held her in leading
strings to this day, if Mr.. Willis had
not sent her from home to acquire
more advantages of education than
the nearby village afforded.
Margaret was a bright, sweet child,
saying and doing a thousand witty
things; and, of course, Mr.. Willis
thought she was piece Of perfection,
even at four years of age. He deter
mined from the time she could lisp
her name that she should have the
best education his means could af-
ford; and, when in process Of time,
she came to know more than the
schoolmaster lin Farmer Willis opin-
ion) he resolved to part with his dar-
ling for a little while, that she might
have the benefit of a fashionable
boarding school. In selecting the es-
tablishm Mt of Mrs Lacy, some thirty
miles from his farm, he proved him
self more fortunate than many who
send forth their children to gather
"apples of WISDOM" but who return
with thiistles.
At the expiration of two years,
Margaret was pronounced finished"
and returned home. If her father
thought her perfect at four years,
what must he have considered her at
seventeen, for she had contrived to
store away goodly amount of
knowledge in her little head, even if
she was at times little highty. Yes,
and Notwithstanding she must have
been SO hurried at Mrs. Lacy's with
her algebra, history, and French, she
had somehow managed to commence
a little heart history Of her own; but
then she did not let any one read it,
not she. Farmer WINS never knew
one word about this unbargained for
accomplishment.
One day, after Margaret had been
at home about a week Mr.. Willis went
to the village with load of potatoes
for Judge Somebody.
Dear father, will you please see
if there is letter in the postoffice for
me?" cried Margaret, running out tc
the gate.
"a letter for you! That's a new
idea! Yes, but come and kiss your
Dad.
And poising one foot upon the
wheel, Margaret sprang lightly to the
side of her father, gave him a hearty
smack upon each sun-burned cheek.
and then alighted on the soft, green
turf.