A Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of DemocracyBacheller, Irving
General
A Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of Democracy
Bacheller, Irving
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Fiction
"Her cheeks are like wild roses, her eyes like the dew on them when the
sun is rising," said Kelso.
"But look at her mouth and the teeth in it the next time she smiles," Bim
went on.
"Aye, they are well wrought," her father answered.
"If you don't stop, I shall run," Annabel protested.
"I haven't said a word, but I want you to know that I am deeply
impressed," said Harry. "No girl has a right to be as handsome as you are
and come and look into the face of a young man who has resolved to look
at the new moon through a knot bole."
"Well, who would have thought it!" Bim exclaimed. "Such a wonderful
compliment, and from Harry Needles!"
"Of course he didn't mean it," said Annabel, whose cheeks were now very
red.
"Of course I mean it," Harry declared. "That's why I keep away from your
house. I am bound to stay single."
"Did you ever see a fairy going to mill on a butterfly's back?" Bim
asked, looking at Harry.
"Not as I remember," he answered.
"If you had, you wouldn't expect us to believe it," Bim asserted.
"There was a soldier in Colonel Taylor's regiment who always ran when the
enemy was in sight," Abe began. "When he was brought up for discipline,
he said 'My heart is as brave as Julius Caesar's but my legs can't be
trusted.' I know Harry's legs are all right, but I don't believe his
heart can be trusted in a battle of this kind."
"I've heard all about his brave adventures in the war," said Bim. "He'll
find that girls are worse than Indians."
"If they're as well armed as you two, I guess you're right," said Samson.
Abe rose and said: "The day is passing. I'll start on with Parsons and
the pony and read my stint afoot. You come along in a few minutes. By the
time you overtake me I'll be ready to get into the saddle."
Half an hour or so after Abe had gone, Harry's horse, which had been
whinnying for his mate, bounded out of the stable and went galloping down
the road, having slipped his halter.
"He will not stop until he overtakes the other horse," said Harry.
"You can ride with us," Annabel suggested.
So the young man brought his saddle and bridle and put it under the seat
of the buggy and got in with Annabel and her small brother.
"Don't let us go too far," said Bim, as she stood by the side of the
buggy. "You haven't offered to shake hands."
"It was a deliberate slight--just to please you," Harry answered, as they
shook hands.
"You are behaving terribly well," Bim exclaimed, merrily. "Now, Annabel,
here is your chance to convert him."
She laughed and shook her hand, as they rode away, and went into the
house and sat down and for a time was like one whose heart is broken.
"Oh, the troubles of the young!" her mother exclaimed, as she kissed her.
"They are ever the wonder of the old!" said Kelso, who stood near.
"I love him! I love him!" the girl moaned.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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