Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1905 — When Dorcas Journeyed [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

When Dorcas Journeyed

By FRANK H. SWEET

“I do hope the cars won’t run off the track," said Betty Sylvester as ■he put tiie finishing touches to her Bister’s costume and then stood back and studied the effect critically. "It's an audaoious flying in the face of Providence to go switching off behind one of them engines that ain’t like nothing human nor divine. But here's your Aunt Beulah down sick in bed and writing to us, and, the land knows, I can’t go, with all the farm and cows and cooking and three hired men here, and (they do say she's got a splendid house, with carpets and bathroom and all, and ■we’re the only kin. There, I think that ■will do. Yes, It's a shame we’ve never been to see her, and she being there twenty years, and the last five all by herself. But It's a hundred miles, and It stands to reason we couldn’t go in a ■wagon, and I won’t be switched across the land by one of them snorting railroad things that hasn’t been in the scarcely a year and folks still jumping just to bear them. Yes, (that will do.” And, stepping forward quickly, she dabbed a little kiss upon her sister’s ear. “Now, goodby. Be •ure and write soon’s you get there, and don’t be set up by the fine things In lAunt Beulah’s house. I do hope nothing will happen. But young folks like 'to travel round and see things. You’ll lllkely have a real good time, and it's ,■ shame Aunt Beulah’s at death’s door and I never been to see her. But there! II must run back or the sweet pickle 'will plumb spoil on the stove. You look real pretty, Dorcas.” And with this ilnvoluntary compliment Betty Sylvester hurried toward the kitchen, leaving IDorcas blushing and frightened—blushing at the unusual compliment and frightened nt the prospect of her first Journey on the cars. For a number of years Dorcas had had a suitor. At first he bad confined ibis attentions to stolen glances across the fields and across the church and on rare occasions, when his manhood had ■asserted itself, to elaborate toilet and a half hour's leaning against the Sylvester front fence admiring Dorcas’

posies and talking crops. Later he had braved the front gate, generally with ■ straw in bls mouth, to sit on the steps for an Lour in the gloaming talking with Betty, but looking at Dorcas. Ou cold evenings the hour had been passed in the cozy sitting room playing checkers and popping corn. Not a word of love had been spoken, but it was understood in the house and In the whole neighborhood that John Baldwin was waiting on Dorcas Sylvester and that some time tn the future, ns they should determine, the two good old country families and the two well tilled farms would be united, provided, of course, John Baldwin’s diffidence ever allowed him to get that far. As she ran lightly down the steps to the fafm wagon Dorcas gave one quick, shy glance up the slope to where the big Baldwin bouse stood half hidden by its towering elms. Yes, there was John's buggy standing In the road before the bouse, and his fast horse could reach the station In one-half the time they could make with the farm wagon and old Charlie. Besides, Betty had tboiight the hirvd man might as well kill two birds with one stone, so be was taking a load of produce along, which he would peddle after leaving Dorcas at the station. As she climbed up beside Jethro, who did not offer or dream of offering assistance, Dorcas thought how much easier) it would be In John’s spring buggy Ahan In this heavy wagon, which jolted and rumbled over the rough country roads. But still she felt very happy. Although neither she nor John had thought of such an audacious thing as bis offering to act as escort, yet the presence of the buggy meant that he intended to keep somewhere in her vicinity, to have an oversight of her safety; perhaps be would even go on the train, riding In one of the adjoining cars. ’ -Ss, As the load of produce included eggs and milk, progress would be slow, and they had arranged for an early start, but before half the distance had been traveled they heard the sharp whir of John’s approaching buggy wheels. As be flashed by be was bending over Id

ostentatious search of something under the seat, but he gave her a bashful ■ide glance which plainly said: “Don’t be uneasy, Dorcas. I'll see that things go right.” By the time he straightened up he was disappearing round a bend in the road. But tiie glance had sent a soft color to her face which lingered there through the long, rough ride until finally she was aroused by a gruff “Jerusalem! Whoa, there, Charlie!” They were at the junction of two roads. One led up to the station a quarter of a mile away; the other went on to the village, two or three times that distance. Jethro was looking at her with dismay on his face. “What is it?” she asked. “Why—why—do you reckon you could walk up to the depot?” persuasively. “ ’Taln’t but a step. You see,” apologetically as he noted the surprise on her face, “Ben Pokey’s wagon’s just turning the comer down yonder, and if be gets in town ahead of me be sells his stuff, and if I get in ahead of him I sell my stuff, and If I sell my stuff, like Miss Betty counts on, why, she ain't going to fuss at me much. See? Of course I’m here to take you to the depot and will now if you» say the word, but it’s bound to put me in behiud Ben. Aud ’taln’t but a step.” “Oh, I’ll walk, Jethro,” laughed Dorcas, and, placing a hand upon the end of the seat, she sprang lightly to the ground. “And you needn’t tell Betty either.” It was a very dainty figure that went up the road toward the station, and, though she did not know it, the rich, soft goods in her frock, taken from the old chest in the garret, had again come into fashion.

A whistle sounded in the distance, and Dorcas uttered a low cry of dismay. The train was approaching, and she had thought there was plenty of time. Could she make it by running? But a swift glance toward the station checked the impulse even as she sprang forward. The station was still an eighth of a mile away, and she could see several carriages driving up to It and people standing on the platform. What a spectacle it would be for them to see a woman racing with the train! Besides, she could not hope to reach it in time. Jethro— There was the swift approach of carriage wheels, a pair of splendid bays, stopped beside her, and she looked up Into the reassuring face of a young drummer who was selling mowing machines In the neighborhood. Before she was aware of his intention be had sprung to the ground and lifted her Into the carriage and they were whirling away, with a long, circling cloud of dust trailing behind. “Don’t you worry, young lady," the •drummer shouted cheerily. “I’ll get you there all right.’’

What John Baldwin’s feelings were as he stood on the platform watching none but himself ever knew. He saw Jethro stop and Dorcas get out; then he heard the train whistle, and he saw her start to run aud realized that his place was down there on the dusty road by her side Instead of with the curious people at the station. When the drummer stopped and took her in the young farmer’s face grew’ hard and set with a firmness his lips had never known before. He was beside the carriage when it ■topped and helped her out. Then quietly and authoritatively, with all the spectators looking on, he drew her arm within his own. “Come, Dorcas,” he said, “we must hurry to catch the train. I’ll get the tickets. Y’es,” in answer to her wondering expression, “I’m going right on with you to where your aunj lives—sit In the same seat, too, to keep off drumrnersand things. And I shall stay round to come back with you when the visit Is over. Come on!”

HE WAS BESIDE THE CARRIAGE WHEN IT STOPPED AND HELPED HER OUT.