The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-03-19

when one horse wagon, containing two
plainly dressed persons, ratified past them
A.glance was sufficient for Bertha--wth an
exclamation of pleasure she reined in her
palfoy, saying:--
go stop, George, stop--there 60 dear old
MIR. and Mrs. Jones. o am SO glad that
we have met them" ~
"Who, Bertha, you surely do not mean
to speak with such common looking persons
as these" cried Melville, placing his hand
upon the checked rein.
There was contempt in the tone Of
voice as well as the words, and in the haugh-
ty curl Of the lip, which went 70 the heart
of Bertha.
"Not speak TO them! not speak to dear
Mrs. Jones! why thay are our neighbors at
home--I hare known them from infancyr'
so saying she touched the neck of tbs beau
tiful animal she rode with the tip of her rid
ing whip, and ere Melville ccnld prevent, she
had turned and was galloping after ths wagon,
now slowly toiling up a hill. He could do
no less than follow, though it must be admit
ted with very bad grace, and to complete
his discontinue he only overlook her just at
the moment when springing lightly down
from her palfrey, she was exchanging the
most affectlonate greetings with the old
couple in the wagon, who on their part
seemed as much delighted at the meeting as
Bertha herself
"And you were going to Mr.. Hazards"
said Bertha.
"Why, yes, child--for you see we pro-
missed neghbor Vaughan we'd just call and
see how you got along, and tell you all
about the folks our way-but look here,
Bertha, (n low voice, is that your beau?
Well, | must say he is pretty nice looking
chap. How de 10 scr--.fns day, nodded
the good man famliarly, as Melville drew
up by the side of the wagon.
The Imagination of the reader can supply
the'look and manner with which this friendly
greeting was received d--nor did either pass
unueticsd by Bertha, and feeling, such as
she had never before known, sent the blood
rushing 10 cheek aud brow.
my friends are on their way to Mr.. Ha-
zard's," she said, striving to conceal har agi-
tation; "if you please we will escort them
thither."
"3Y no means--we can pursue our origl-
nal plan without regard to these persons!"
replied Melville in low voice.
"Ono, George" cried Bertha, while tears
filed her beautiful eyes; "let us defer our
excursion for the present---for, have so
many questions 10 esk about all at home, that
| cannot part with them SO easily"
every well--you can do as you please
Miss Vaughan" answered Melville; 81 shall
proceed to the glen," and bowing coldly, he
turned and rode eff in the opposite direction
Bertha and her friends, however, had
scarcely reached the Grove, when Melville;
already repenting his rudeness, was also
there, and now strove by his polite attentions
to the good farmer and his wife, to atone in
the eyes Of his beloved for his former ar
rogance. He deserves credit for the attempt
certainly, but that he did not entirely Danish
first impressions may be inferred from re-
mark of Mrs. Jones TO her husband, " that
to be sure he was likely young man to look
at, but as proud as Lucifer"
September came, and now Bertha must
bid adeu to her friend at Maple Grove.
Melville was to leave her with her parents,
and early in the spring return to claim her
as his bride.
As they drew near her native village
conflicting emotions stirred her
heart She could not forget, however she
might pardon, the ungracious manner in
which her loverh had treated her old neighbors,
nor could she Danish the dread that the same
hauteur might be extended to her dear pa
rents.
But when the carriage turned into the
ane terminating at the gate of the farm
house, she forgot all else but joy at her ap-
meeting with those beloved ones
md when she saw her gray-haired father ad-
'ancing to meet her, and beyond caught a
glimpse of her own dear mother, standing at
he little gate, her heart bounded with de-
ight, and tears ofjoy filled her eyes.
Look, George, look there they are
ny dear father, dear mother'--qnd springing
rom the carriage she was the next moment
ocked in the embrace of the old man.
aesgning her at length to the tender caresses
If her mother, Mr. Vaughan now heartily
welcomed Melville, and iii consideration of
he near tie which would probably unite
hem, the kind old lady, when it became her
urn to greet the stranger, pressed her lips
lpon the heck4ofher future son-in-law.
The effort to appear civil on the part of
Ter lover did not escape the notice of Bertha.
Vt this moment she was caught in the arms
# hale, hearty youth, who, giving her a
inging kiss, cried
Welcome home TO us once more, dear
ister"
"Dear brother," exclaimed Bertha, throw
ng her arms around his neck, " how glad
m to see you-and you here too, Cousin
Nrank!" she cried as another sturdy yeoman