Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-06-24

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the children, and often saved her from over
tasking the strength, which had for year or
two been declining.
can hardly tell how you look,' said her
mother, with your bonnet on, but can see
that your cheeks are as rosy as ever. l was
afraid that you would miss the country air, and
grow pale
My wife and the girls will expect to see
you all in about an hour said Mr.. Chesford,
as he was about to give the reins the jerk,
which Sivermane knew to be the signal to
proceed. You will have time to talk over
everything you want to, by the time the hour
is up, and besides, a certain person will be
there by three o'clock
He means Frank Dennis, whispered o.
i've to her sister.
Yes said Joseph, 'and Frank has given
me nice basket to pick up chips in
And he has given me whole lot of flower
seed, and mother ever so much maple sugar,
he made from the trees on his place, said Olive
You see Belinda said her mother, as they
entered the house, that we are all dressed
ready to 60 to Mr.. Chesford's, but if We hadn't
been going, we should have worn just the
same, because we expected you, and thought
it would seem, pleasanter to you to see Olive
and me in the new calico gowns you sent US,
and l knew you would be pleased to see little
Joseph in his new suit. He has never worn
1t before, except to meeting, and to tell the
truth, She added, lowering her voice, there
wasn't a boy of his age, in the whole meeling-
house that looked pretter than he did. But
DO tell me, Linda, how you like your place 2
'Oh, get along nicely, considering all
things Mr.. Maulins almost always has an
encouraging word for me, and Harriet is
dear good girl-never gives herself airs, as
some wonld in her staiion-and always treats
me as thoughsshe thought had as much feel
ing as if were rich. Here, mother, she add
ed, taking something from her pocket, SIS a
cap-ribbon she sentyou as present, and here
is ribbon to trim Olives bonnet
Il wish she had sent me something, said
Joseph
She has-here is northumberland,
with nice pictures on it for you. She bought
them all from her allowance of spending mon
ey.'
1t is beautiful ribbon, said Mrs Selby,
holding it up so as to catch the light from the
window-'just such a one as / should have
chosen, could have afforded to buy one so
rch'
AS for Olive and Joseph, any person must
have been very unreasonable to wish to feel
happier than they did, as they examined their
respective presents-the handsome pink ribbon
and the pictured handkerchief.
Mrs. Maulins is rather hard TO please, I'm
afraid said Mrs. Selby.
Rather replied Belinda, though l get
along very well for the most part. If she
complains of me good deal, and l find am
beginning 10 feel little discouraged, think
of you, and recall to mind your patience and
fortltude, when your utmost exertions, you
know, after father died, with the addition of
what little could do, would hardly procure
US bread. There is Mrs. Emery, too-she
encourages me, and gives me good advice and
she and the children are always glad to see
me if l can be spared an hour or two.'
knew if any body could get along with
Mrs. Maullus, it was you. Come, it is draw
ing along towards three O'Clock, and we will
pnt on our bonnets and be going
The distance between Mrs. Selby's and Mr..
Chesford's was about half mile but they
had not gone more than half the distance be-
fore they were met by Frank Dennis. Belin-
da, when she saw him coming, thought she
had never seen him look half as well before
and the year which had passed since they saw
each other, had certainly improved him in
many respects. His countenance had gained
expression, and the change from hiring out by
the month, with whoever saw fit to employ
him, to working on his own land, which he
purchased with the carefully husbanded earn
lngs OF SIX years, gave-though unconscously
to himself-a kind of dignity to his manners.
To him Belinda had always been beautiful.
There was sweetness in her smile, which
possessed an indescribable charm, and in spite
of himself, had attracted him towards her,
when he was trying with all his might, to like
Deborah Brownwell, whose father, at his de-
cease, she being an only child, bequeathed her
nice fifty acre lot, with convenient buildings
thereon.
On their way to Mr. Chesford's, he told Be-
linda that part of the land he had purchased
proved to be Of the best quality and that the
rye and other crops he had growing, at mod
crate computation, woGld sell for about three
hundred dollars. As the land was all paid for
he would soon have enough to build house.
He had, in his own mind, selected spot for
that purpose, though he should not commence
building on it till she had an opportunity to see
if she also tho ught il pleasant.
Belinda looked and felt pleased at the regard
thus manifested relative to her tastes and wish
es, though she was sure, as she told him, that
the spot which suited him would also suit her.
They received a warm welcome from Mrs.
Chesford, and the two older daughters, Mar
tina and Adeline. The large rocking chair
was placed by The plessantest window for Mrs.
Selby; and she and Mrs. Chesford, after hav-
ing, according to precedents on like occasions,
communicated to each other what they thought
of the weather, in which they agreed it was