CAPITAL CITY COURIER, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1889
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1 A NEW YEAR'S STORY.
wis cmvAi.nouH dkkknsi: of a nnn
lUUlKO (lint., AND WHAT CAMP. OK IT.
lOopyr'nhl. NW, tiy American IYpm AmocIiUIoo.
OMI2, unclu, unlit tin n
yarn."
"What Id ml of n
ynm?"
"A Now Yenrn ynni,
of courno. You can't
o.joct tin to ho bntiisflcu
with anything olso on
Now Yonr'H ovo."
"Shall I hjiIu 'cm ft Now Year's yarn,
nunticV" nskcu tho old gontlotnan of n
whlto haired lady who was knitting hy
tho light on tho center tahlo, at tho
Baiuo timo giving hor a knowliiK look.
"Of coureo not," hIio replied, half
frowning and half smiling.
"Thuro'H only uno tiling ovorliajiponetl
to mo on Now Year's ovo, and I'vo ro
niomWreil that always."
"Is It a lovo story?" asked ono of tho
girls.
"Well, a kind of ono. Wring out somo
nuts and apples, and givo us another
tick of wood for tho fire, nud I'll see
what I can tuako of whnt happened to
indTon New Year's ovo, 1831."
Tlio old gcutlcumu's reiiulrements hav
ing been attended to, tho boys and girls
Tanged themselves round tho tiro and tho
tory was begun. Ho looked straight at
"Auntie" whllo ho told it, evidently en
joying its elTcct upon her moro thnn on
tho younger listeners.
Sho was tho hoiuollest girl In tho school;
tlioro can Is) no doubt about that. Sho
was freckled, her hair was red, not n
dark shade of rod, but fiery. Sho had
struggled with whooping cough, and
measles, nnd scarlet fover, and ovory
other diseaso that childhood is hoir to
until sho was littlo moro than skin ami
bones. There wero girls with faces
moro oxprcsslvo of disagreeablo disposi
tions, but for pure homolluess Reddlo
would havo taken tho prlzo In any hon
OStlV COIuUlCtCiLtJiftW- tlV ImuPtrlrlg
KlJtkHowas not her real namo, but ovory
was bo red.
I Wo wero all very young children at
least most of us wero. I was 1-1. There
was ono boy who was still oldor Dick
McLean. Dlok was a natural tormentor.
Ho would abuso tho girls aswoll as tho
boys. IIo respected dolls no moro than
hoops nnd kites. Ho would rush into a
ring whero tho toys wero playing mar
bles, and pretomllug not to notice whore
ho was treading, scatter tho marbles
with tho too of his boot, or poko his
finger through a ktto, or let tho sawdust
out of a doll; and ho was so big and
strong that no ono dared punish htm, I
was tho biggest boy in tho school, but in
strength 1 was greatly his inferior, nnd
kept out of his way.
Ono day Reddto was carrying her doll
across tho playground, a doll with hair
as red as her own. Somo ono had given
it her as a reflection on her own fiery
locks; but Reddlo, uover seeing or novcr
noticing tho slight, took tho red headed
littlo monster into her heart, and nursed
it with as much affection as If she had
.been a real mother. Dick McLean, see
ing her with tho doll In her arms, its red
head standing out over her shoulder,
went up behind her with alighted match,
..and touching tho flame to its hair, thcro
was a bright halo around tho doll's head
for an instant, and then tho cranium was
as bald as if tho little, thing hadn't been
in tho world long enough to grow even
ml hair. Reddlo, seeing what had hap
pened, burst Into tears.
I was a witness of this bit of ruffian
ism, nnd although at that ago I had con
siderable contempt for girls In general
md tho prevailing contempt for Reddlo,
I was shocked,
"It seems to mo, Dick," I said, "I'd
"tako a iwy for that sort o thing if I wero
you."
"I'll tako you, If you like," ho re
torted. " I was sorry I had said anything. I
know If wo quarreled I should get
thrashetl. Besides, if I fought about
such a wizened littlo creature as Koddio,
tho wholo school would ridicule me.
"I'll teach you" added Dick to hie
"previous remark, and ho enmo up to me
and struck me. I saw I was in for it,
and made up my mind to take A thrash
ing. Tho childrtui stood around, Reddio
among thorn, with her baldhended doll
in her arm?, her own hair making up In
Illuminating properties for what hud been
Joat by the singeing of tho doll's head.
Throughout that brief struggle until I
rfound myself uuablo to continue, it
seemed to me that thero was but one
vlsiblo thing present, and that was Red
dio's head.
I limped away from Diuk and tho
circlo, Inwardly planning revenge on
Dick JIcLoan bofoio tho end of the, term.
Indeed, I at ouco told my father I do
sired to tako boxing lessons, and receiv
ing his assent, after three months' secret
practice, went up behind my enemy
with a lighted match and burned his
hack hair off up to tho crown of his hat.
Dick turuod liko a fury. His uncontrol
ablo anger and my skill gavo mo the
day, and I left hhu with tho injunction
that if ho wanted any moro hair burn
ing to como to mo.
As I had expected, after my defeat on
say first encounter, I was sot down as
NJWF
champion ot tnougiicMgiritii tnoscnooi,
I did not recover from tho beating I had
received for a week. Ono day as I limped
acroM tho play ground Reddlo camo up
to mo nud jiokod something nt mo folded
In a pieco of brown pajwr, Tho sight of
hor was alono enough to rufllo mo; hut
to soo hor standing hy mo, shyly, with
her hand stretched towards mo and
something In It, In sight of half a dozen
pupils, was too much,
sn?.... rra
.-K1ltfA
fob 1 Vfl '.1
IW1 Vj
"it's only thib."
"do 'way," I said.
Sho didn't say anything, but continued
to look up at mo shyly, as though sho
know it was a great presumption for her
to offer mo a gift.
"What is Itf" I asked In no kindly tone.
"Something I mado for you."
"I don't want It," I said, turning awny.
"I'leaso, Tom," sho snld, "won't you
tako It?"
I cast n glanco nt her; sho was evi
dently full of somo deep feeling.
"What havo you got?" I queried.
"It's only this." And sho took tho paper
cover from about It and hold It up, cant
ing an anxious look nt mo to seo if I ad
mired tho gift. It was a book mark such
nH children make, nnd on it, in letters in
which many of tho stitches wero put in
wroug, was "Tom Erven."
"That's not my namo, you littlo
gooso."
"Isn't It spelled right?"
"No. It's I-r-w-i-n."
Sho looked ho Btupofiod and woebe
gono at her blunder that I pitied her. If
wo hadn't been in viow of tho other
children, I think I could havo spoken n
kind word to her.
"Won't yoh tnko It, anyway?" sho
asked ruefully.
Tho quickest way to got rid of her was
to ncccpt it.
"Yes, I'll keep it. Now run along."
Her fuco brightened up and I was Sur
prised at so much expression. If she
had not so many freckles and such red
hair, and hod moro Ileal on her bones
bIio wouldn't bo so HI looking after all, I
thought. As sho skipped away sho turn
ed and gavo mo a grateful look; Btich a
look as a peasant might givo u prince
"you seem BunrntsED."
That was tho last I saw of Reddlo nt
school. Tho next day bIio was taken
with symptoms which dovoloped Into ty
phoid fover, and was kept nt homo. Her
absence was a great relief to me, and I
wished when sho recovered, If sho over
Bhould, that sho would go to somo other
school.
Between 14 and 34 years of ago thero
comes a grent change When nt 24 I
looked buck on my childhood nnd
thought how careless I was of tho feel
ings of others, I was surprised. Yet it
must bo confessed thnt what I had gained
in ono way I had lost in another. I hnd
acquired polish and provarication; I had
learned to say pleasant things to young
ladies, and was considered quito an adept
In this respect. Besides, I did not scorn
to practlco petty Impositions, to Hatter
them to gain their favor.
I soon became tired of society, which
was unfortunate for my mother and sis
ters, for whom I was tho only available
escort. Still, I was occasionally dragged
by them Into tho gay whirl. Ono night
I had been unwillingly appropriated to
escort my sisters to a dancing party. It
was Christmas night, 1831. I had given
up dancing, and stood looking on with
my arms folded.
"Tom," said my sister Mary, coming
up to me with her cheeks all aglow
sho hnd just finished a dance "you look
too blaso for anything. I want to Intro
duco you to a young lady."
I tried to beg off.
"She's a beauty, and so unusual n
beauty," Mary urged. Sho put her arm
through mlno and led mo to tho girl in
question. After introducing mo sho
slipped nway.
If over thevo was a caso of lovo at first
eight, It camo to mo at that moment. Tho
girl was indeed a beauty; a graceful flg
uro, fair complexion, oye3 n dark liquid
brown, hair a soft shndo of Titlen.
Her first romnrk startled me,
"It's a long whllo sinco wo met, Sir.
Irwin."
"It Is Indeed." I scrutinized hor fea
tures; I didn't remember to havo over
seen hor boforo.
"Thnt was a noblo act of yours."
I was not only surprised, I was amazed.
I remembered no act of my lifo that
could bo called "noblo."
"You don't know what I'm talking
about or who I am at all." Sho laughed
with keen enjoyment, whllo I was no
moro enlightened than before,
"now do you like tho shado of my
hair?" sho asked,
"It's very beautiful." I spoko in a
dignified tone. I was becoming vexed
with all this quizzing,
"I wonder if you would know mo by
mLu ay '
AS53L-nS3i ffl ffi
rJ w
my oin namo," eno snta.
"Try mo and see."
"Reddlo."
"Ujwn my word!"
I looked nt tho beautiful crcnturo bo
foro mo with ill concealed astonish
ment. "You seem surprised."
"Yes at ot tho singular fato that
brings tliis meeting."
"At nothing else?" sho naked, archly.
I found no Words to reply, so I re
mained silent.
"You don't remember my singed doll,
I suppose?"
"I havo reason to especially remember
thnt doll. It makes mo quito soro to
think of It."
"You behaved very chivalrously, And
tho hook mark I gavo you. You havo
treasured It, of course?"
"Of course."
Sho looked nt mo senrchingly. It wns
evident thnt sho know I was prevaricat
ing. "In that wholo school thero was but
ono who was kind to mo," sho said, Im
pressively. "Perhaps somo of them would bo glad
to show you somo attention now."
"Only ono was kind. And that ono
whom do you think?"
"I can't toll."
"You."
"For heaven's sake, Red" I stopped
short.
"You fought for me."
I blushed. I had novcr considered
thnt I had fought for her, but that I was
obliged to fight.
"I got thrashed."
"Tho kindness was all tho moro ac
ceptable." "I was not especially appreciative whon
you offered mo your gift."
"You fought for me."
Thero was no ono near. Wo wero
standing eloso together. I felt for her
hand and gavo it n quick pressure, then
dropped It. In another moment sho was
whirled away In a waltz by a handsome
fellow with n tawny mustache and bluo
eyes.
After tho last dnnco and wo wero go
ing home, I saw her again in her wraps
in tho hall.
"May I go to boo you?" I asked.
"Yes." Then, with her eyes snapping,
sho added i "Como nnd bring tho book
mnrk. Let mo boo; I'm engaged every
night for n week. Como Now Year's
ovo."
"And not without tho book mark?'
Sho had just timo boforo tho door
closed behind her to givo mo a mischiev
ous look, and say, "No."
My portion was embarrassing. I had
permission to call with a book mark and
no book mark to call with.
I had 110.1H tiiiitjoH -!iStGr6Tof "foro
Gfr7g my call for want of a souvenir.
Nothing would bo moro easy than to
duplicnto tho book mark, and as to prac
ticing tlio deception of offering it ns
tho original, I had no qualms of con
science whatever, having perpotrated
many such sins of fnr greater enormity.
I nsked my sister to mako a book mark
for me, nnd warned her not to do tho
work too carefully, Imitating tho stitches
of n child.
Armed with what I considered n fair
imitation, I called and sent it in with
my card. When bIio entered tho draw
ing room I scrutinized her faco to seo if
thero wero any signs of her having dis
covered that tho token was spurious.
Sho held my card and tho book mnrk hi
her hand, and as wo seated ourselves
sho tossed them on to tho table. So far
na I could discover, sho believed tho
book mark to bo genuine.
"It is very good of you to havo kept
that souvonir so long," sho remarked,
fixing her beautiful oyes on mine.
"Don't mention it," I observed, in
clining my head deferentially.
"How carefully you must havo kept
It. It's not tho least dingy."
"It was very good of you to givo it to
mo, you know. Then, when n book
mark is kept in a book it doesn't get
dingy."
"I novcr thought of that."
Dear creature. How innocent. Just
then I glanced nt tho book mark lying
besldo my card on tho tablo. It looked
ns fresh as tho card. A girl will swal
low anything in shnpo of a compliment,
I thought.
"I really think it Is moro perfect thnn
when I gavo it to you. Tlio spelling Is
certainly improved. If I remember
A REFLECTION IN THE MMKOR.
nright, I spelled your namo incorrectly."
I glanced again at tho book mark.
Something in her manner caused mo to
scene unngcr. faiuuienly it broko In upon
mo like a flash. Tho original had been
misspelled.
"Tlio n-n-n-nmo is written a great
many vays," I stammered.
"I sj-elled It E-r-v-o-n."
"You couldn't havo done that."
"0, yes, I did; I remember it perfect
ly. Littlo girU-uru sensitive. At least 1
was, and I felt your robuko at my blun
der very keenly."
I was wiping tho perspiration from my
brow. It panned to roe I had never mmi
so stern, so contemptuous an expression
on any woman's face.
"That's a g-g-good way to spoil it," I
remarked wildly,
Sho took tho book mark and tho visit
ing card from tho tablo. "You seo thoy
3 (j)JjjjjjH
agree," sho said,
"Isn't It odd?"
"Very odd."
"I must havo mado n mistake"
Sho concentrated her gazo upon mo In
what seemed to mo 0110 glance of wither
ing contempt.
"You are very much mistaken if you
think to impose that brand new book
mark 011 me for tho ono I gavo you."
Oh for an earthquake, a cyclono, nny
tiling to change the ltuatioul
"How ridiculous!" 1 muttered, trying
to force n laugh and put a humorous
view on it nil."
Sho declined to seo anything ludicrous
In tho act. Sho becamo moro grave, if
possible, than over.
I picked up the bookmark and bent
my hot fnco down over it to liido Iny
confusion. 1 had lo-rt nil preseuco of
mind. My Ideas wero in a stato of clwtos.
What to say I didn't know, and didn't
know what I said,
"I see," I stammered, "tho 0110 you
g-gavo mo was w-w-worked in red
hair."
A peal of laughter brought mo to my
senses. My dlscomflturo was complete.
I fell back in my chair and covered my
faco with my hands.
"You do that just liko a girl," I heard
her cry delightedly. "It's exactly what
I did when you left 1110 that day in tho
Bchool yard, and I thought about my
blunder in spelling. Only I covered my
faco with my apron."
Presently I mustered courngo to look
at her.
"Who made that book mark?" sho ask
ed, resuming a serious expiession.
"My sister."
"What mado you do such a thing?"
"My ndmirntion for you."
"Nonsense!"
" 'Thero is n tldo in tho affairs of
111011.'" I muttered, " 'which, taken ut
tho flood' "
"I havo admired you," I said, humbly,
"ever sinco" I hesitated.
"I was a red headed littlo Imp."
"No," I went on, profiting by tho les
son I had learned and speaking frankly.
"Then, to thoughtless, unieasoning
children you wero not attractive."
"Now you aro speaking manfully.
Pleaso don't over attempt to imposo on
mo again."
"Indeed, I nover will, If you will for
give mo for this."
"You nro forgiven," sho said, kindly.
"But you haven't told 1110 when this
ndmirntion for 1110 bloomed."
"When I met you on Christmas night
nt tho dancing party."
"In other words, you havo admired
mo for 11 wholo week."
Jlp9la:l-flt.herfranl(Jvr'onc't)j:wOi)dJ
meant every word I spoko when I re
plied: "In thoso threo days havo been
crowded enough admiration to ofTsot ten
years of indifference."
Sho blushed and lowered her eyes.
"It has not been only admiration," I
went on. "For three wholo days I have
been madly in lovo with you."
Sho leaned back In her chair and drew
a long, long sigh.
"You know that I speak tho truth."
"By your past record?"
"No, by my sincerity. You can seo It
In every feature: my voico, my eyes, my
wholo being."
Sho sat with her eyes fixed on n spot
in tho carpet, occasionally raising them
to mtno ns though wondering whether I
was worthy of credence
"I don't believe n word you say."
But I saw that tho tido had turned;
that sho was wavering. My want of
reputation with her for truthfulness was
certainly n grent barrier in tho way of
my convincing her of my sincerity, but
I did not despair, for I know thnt what
I said was only too true. For half an
hour I continued tho attack, sho parry
ing overy thrust, nnd continually re
minding mo of my recent deception; but
tho quickest way to convinco is to bo
really in earnest, and this gavo mo tho
victory.
"It's so sudden," sho snld.
"Wo linvo loved each other for a
week," I urged.
"Yours may havo been sinco then,
mlno"
"Yours?"
"Has lasted ever sinco you fought for
me."
Then I know why I had won so sudden
a victory.
Before I took my leavo that evening I
caught sight of a reflection in tho mir
ror. What do you supposo it wa9? It
was Reddio and I, sho lovingly resting
in my arms, with her head on my shoul
der, her back to tho mirror, I with my
faco toward It.
"Ah," I said to myself, not oven
speaking tho words in a whisper my
lips wero too near her ear. "It is duo to
tho generosity and crntitudo of that
freckled, red headed child you spurned
ten years ago, that you aro not getting
your just deserts now."
"Why uncle," said n lass of 17, "I
didn't know you wero that kind of a
young man ever."
"Why didn't you marry Reddie?"
asked another,
"Perhaps sho resumed her common
senso nnd thought better of it nfter all,"
said tho whlto haired lady at tho center
tnble, her head bent down low over her
work.
"Pshaw," said n matter of fact girl of
1U. "l Know who Keddio was."
"Who?" nsked n chorus of voices.
"Auntie."
"How could that be, you little gooao,"
said her uncle, "when nuutio has white
hair and Reddle's was red?"
"He's mado most of it out of wholo
cloth." said the old lady. "That about
tlu minor is ridiculous. If I had sup
pased hd tvlk about such things 1
wouldn't"
Tho old hul;r stopped short, and tho
boys and girls oil buret into 0 laugh.
F. A. MlTCHEL.
lll) for Illiu Yet.
Young Mother Don't you think baby look
liku hi father I
Visitor Yo-es, but I wouldn't worry: bo
may outgrow It. Texn Sittings.
CLOSING OUT SALE
OF
Pianos and Organs,
Wc have decided to ship nothing to Omaha, and haying
some stock yet wc will continue the sale until sold. We
have some Upright Pianos, slightly damaged, that we can
make you at a great bargain. Six second-hand Pianos at
your own price. Good second-hand Organs at $35 to $50.
C. M. Hands, Manager, 142 North nth St.
Steam and Hot Water &
ting.
Uii
SBlE 2J
w- J
E. HIIvIv
LATE OK imoOKLYN. N. V..
Tailor and Qraper
GENTLEMEN:
I shall display for your inspection a new and very ' carefully selected
Stock, compilslng many of the latest and newest designs of the European
Manufacturers, and I am now prepared to take all orders for making up
garments for gents in the latest styles.
LADIES TAILORING:
Having for seventeen years met with great success in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
in cutting and making Ladles Jackets and Riding Habits, shall be pleased
to receive patronage from the ladles during the coming season.
I am also prepared to receive orders for all kinds of Uniforms and
Smoking Jackets.
1230 O Street.
jjrA 'A
Stylish Carriages and Buggies,
At all Hours Day or Night.
t2T Horses Doarded and best of care
PRICES REASONABLE.
BILLMEYER & CO.,, Proprietors.
Call and See Us. Telephone 435
fAMAH
UNACQUAINTED WITH THE OEOORAPHT OF THE COUNTRY, WILL OBTAIN
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OfflOTtnU0 PP to any Ticket
E-ST- ,JOHN, JOHN SEBASTIAN,
General Manager. OH IOAOO, ILL. Qen'l Ticket & Pom. Aecrfe
m B "fc
Plumbing
F. A. KORSMEYER & CO.
Telephone 536. 215 S. Eleventh St.
LINCOLN, NEB
Finest in" the City
iKTHE NEW
Palace Stables
M St, opp. Masonic Temple.
taken of all Slock entrusted to us. .,(g
luuu A STUDY OF THIS MAP OF
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.Wi"""""i " vomiiaioa, ana
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m 1 mi.i. wtm
iidipMii.i.iWf.VitWwlPiBw tm,Mm,m,filf3rt,. -"-r ,) 11, , ,Mjii .
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