Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-09

a bag of potatoes into the wagon, inquire
whether he were going to town that day sh
would like to go, she said, if he could max
room for her, am invited to Molly Blake
tomorrow night she continued and that j
the reason / wish to 60 to town this morning.
She did not ask Zeb if he also were invited
she never thought of the possibility.
It was afternoon before they reached tn
city, and leaving his sister. at the house Of
cousin, in the suburbs, with the promise 0
meeting her at an appointed hour, he drov,
away in search of market for his oats apl
potatoes. The grocers with whom he was il
the habit of dealing were all supplied tn,
few offers he received were greatly below hi
expectations, and hours were spent in driving
from street to street, before he was able t,
dispose of his produce at any reasonable price
He had found no time to dine-no time to fec
his horses-and the heads Of the tired animal.
dropped sadly, as he turned them toward tht
place where he was to meet Ruth.
The show at the window of halter attrac
ted him; he had never had fur hat, and check
ing his team close against the sidewalk, he
looked at the tempting display, and had men
tally selected one which he thought would
please him--at the same time putting his hand
in his pocket to ascertain whether he could
afford one so fine-when his attention was ar
rested by the sudden appearance of his sister.
Why Zebn she said pettishly, are you char
med with hattel's Window waited and
waited till was tired to death, and then set
out in search of you Zeb laughed, and an
swered, that if she looked at his old hat she
would see why he was charmed and assured
heI OF his regret that she was alarmed about
him.
1t was not fear for, his safety that induced
her to look for him, but need of money. The
youth averted his face from the. window, and
disappointed expression passed across it, as
he answered, How much do you want,
RuthyP p9H @08-t f5 'aW aa trr.gaT
hOh, j don't know, she said carelessly, .alI
you've got.' sr u-r aau u 5.rtfar
He turned away, as if to take up the rens
perhaps even his dull sister, could she have
seen it, would have been able to read some
thing Of what was at the moment written on
his countenance-and reaching backward all
the money he had, and climbing into the wag-
on, began to rub the mud from his trowsers
with wisp Of straw. Away went Ruth
her thoughts full of new ribbons and shining
shoes, and more than all, of the gold ring that
was to sparkle on her finger the next evening.
While these little purchases were being
made, the horses stamped their feet, and
switched their tails restessly; and Zeb, feel
ing that he had no very present purpose, nor
any sympathy to lessen his lhalfsurv, and
halftearlul mood, turned his Rack to the hat
ter's window, and seated in the front corner
of the wagon, brushed the flies from the tired
animals with his d,hat. The sun was near
setting when Ruth returned, her hands full OF
little packages and parcels, and her face beam
ing with joy So they went home together,
and when Ruth rode to town in the little
wagon again, Zeb was not sitting beside her
The next day was a busy one, but before
night the new white apron was made, the
pink ribbon knotted up, and the ring glitter
ing where Ruth had long desired to see it
well, Zeb, she said, as she turned dowr
the lane to go to Molly Blake's, Il want you
to make me fiower-pot to-night-sawed ir
notches at the top, you know-its time tt
take up my myrtle All day he had beer
thinking she would say something about his
going with her-disclose some regret, per-
haps, when he should tell her he could not 90
but now the poor satisfaction of giving any
expression to his disappointment was denied
him, and making pictures in the airSof gave
ties in which he could have no part, he set tC
work about the fower-pot. lie thought hard
and wrought hard as he thought, and the little
box was soon completed-notched around al
the top, just as had been desired. 1t was moi
yet dark when the work was done, and Eel
held it up admiringly when he had filled il
with fresh earth, and arranged the long myrtle
vines to drop gracefully through the notches
He placed it in the window of Ruth's room
and, the task accomplished, there came feel
ing restlessness he could not Danish, try as
he would. The full moon was reddening
among the clouds, and the yellow leaves rain
ing down with every wind, as, folding his
arms, he walked up and down among the
flowers he had planted in May. lfsffn.