Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-11-11

aparty were exploring the country. The momer
they heard OF the wreck which was by the return
the dog relief was sent out and the poor fellows wer
fonnd in famshing state, on the 23d day after tn
, disaster.
Only a Country Girl.
"You are mistaken! would sooner die than We,
: a mere country beauty"
But Fred, suppose her intelligent, moral, full o
natures poetry-tender- hearted graceful unspoile.
BY adulation, gulelees, simple, loving creature"
.Aye!" said Fred laughing, "a choice cluster Of
virtues and graces Country beauties arc always
sweet and simple, 50 are country COWS. No tel
you II she was lovely a. angel with the best
in the world, STILL If unskilled in music and literature
with soul above knitting needles, wouldn't marry
her for fortune"
Hs, ha," laughed Helen Irving, but 1t was very
pianssimo laugh away down in the corner Of her lit
tic musical heart. Hidden BY the trunk of large
tree, shs sat reading within few feet only of the
egotist.
In another moment the young men came within
sight. Fredis face was crimson and he whispered in
visible trcpidation, "Do you think she heardi"
"No," rejoined the other half audibiy, "sh, shows
resentment; she has not even locked up from her
book you are safe, she could not have heard you
but what IN angel she Isl"
Ys, Helen was an angel, as far - outward beauty
might merit the enoomiam. She sat half reclining
rustic scat, striving to smooth the dimpes out of
her checks, she laid her book aside, and began to
! twins half. finished wreath Of Wild roses.
Leaning on one white arm, the guarled white oak
background, flowers strewn about her, pecping from
her white locks, and scattered white drss-she
sat quite at her ease. apparently unaware that two
hondsome young gentlemen were 50 very near.
Approaching with low bow, upon which ,is mirror
had set the seal Of faultls elegance Fredric Lane
took the liberty Of asking if the young lady would be
kind enough to inform him where Mr.. Irving lived
| With an innocent su;le the beanty looked up.
"Mr. Irving the only Mr.. Irving in the village is
my father" said she, rising in charming graceful
manner. "Tho large house. she continued, con high
ground, half hidden BY trees and thick shrubbery,
there's where we live. believe it was an academy
once-that's sort of select school isn't itr with
the most natural simplicity, turning to Fred.
He replied with another graceful bow.
"Tell your father" said he, " that shall do my
self the honor to call him morrow. he will re-
member mc-Frederic Lane; at your service"
EYES, sir, I'll tell him werd for word" replied
Helen, tucking her sleeve round her pretty arm, ard
making rather formal curtsey. Then catching p
her book and gathering the scattered flowers she hur
ried toward home.
Now father, mother, aunt and sis J" exclaimed the
merry girl bounding into the room where the family
were at supper, Gas you and live, that Mr..
Lime you all talk much about is in the village He
viii call here to-morrow-the first proper specimen Of
city beau, las OF be will be) all sentiment
refinement, faultIess in kids and spesless in dcky
important and self assured a. one Of that like can
possibly be-
"Promise me, all Of you, that you'll not lisp a
word about music, reading or writing in my presence
because have q plan. Father will not know
only give him newspaper Aunt Minnie newell
talks-I mean In eompany-and mother will DO toe
glad to see me churn and mend stockings. Sis, your
rattle Of the tongue 10 the only thing fear, but ii
you keep quiet and ask no questions, will give you
that little work-box you have coveted 90 long,"
ella, you are not quite respectful" said heu
father graveIy.
"Forgive me, dear fathes." and her arms were
folded about his neck always mean well, but I'm
thoughtlsss. There, all is right now, she added
kissing him lovingly on the temple.
"Come sis, what say your"
"why, on that condition, I'll be still a. mouse
but what's your reasonf"
"Ah! that's my own," said Helen, dancing out ei
the room.
aYou knit admirably" and Frederic locked on will
an unconscious smile Of admiration.
Helen sat at an oren window, through which ros'
bushes thrust their blushing buds making both
shade and fragrance. The canary overhead burst on
every moment in wild natches Of glorious music
Helen was at work on . long blue stocking, nearl!
finished, and her fingers hsw like snow birds
'You knit quite admirably; arc you fond of ~
eyes, quite. like 1t better than-than anythin,
else-that Is, I mean can churn very we'll"
, "And do you read much :" Fred's glance had trav
eled from the corners Of his eyes over every table
shelf and corner, In sesrch Of some book or paper
But not leaf, yellow sere, repaid his search.
r sOycs," said Helen, with self-satished glance.
sWhat books permit me to ask
"I read the Bible . good DEAL" she answers
gravely.
!, els that allf"
. "AI! Of course not, and yet what do wo not and i
that holy volume. History, poetry, eloquenoe, re
J manos-the thrilling pathos' bushing and reoollsc
ing herself she added, with manner as childish as
had been iigniHed.
e GAS for the bookshelf me see. I've got in my Il
brary-hnt, there's that primer counting her finger
second class reader, Robinson Cruso nursery tale
s fairy stories, two or three elements Of somethin,
biography of some person other, mothers magazine
and King Richard the third, there, isn't that goc
IS assortment?"
Fred smiled.
r "Perhape don't know as much as those who ha,
= been school more, she added, If disappointed
his mute rsjoinder but in making bread, churnir
butter and keeping house, I'm not to BE- outdone.
The young man left her more in pity than in Low
n but his visits did not always so result. He began
b feel magnetic attraction which he vainly attribu
20 to Hesns beauty but the truth is her sweet al
~ lessness of eharacter, engaging manner and gent
disposition: quite won upon the city bred and aris,
cratic Fred Lane. There was freshness about ever
- thing she said and did She psrplsxed as we'll as
d. lighted him.
nd Often, ~ hs ws wsndsring how some homsly I