The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-03

inheritance.
He had intended to live alone, but his
finding of that stray waif upon the prai
rie had altered his determination. So
he had two. rooms to his impromptu
house, one of which was occupied by a
neat old lady who had consented to take
charge of his domestic affairs including
little Myrtle. ---..--...-
4 For a man who had criticized the pal
aces of the Old World, his apartment
!; could not be said to display that love of
beauty which was one Of the strong ele-
ments of his character A bed stead
whose posts. so far from being polished
by the hand of art, were still the shin
ing bark with which nature had dressed
them-was fitted to receive the buffalo
skin and blankets heaped upon it. A
shotgun and light rife hung upon the
wall, except when out with their owner;
and the traps of hunter and the clothes
ola gentleman filled the little room in
discriminately. But, upon home
made table in corner, some glimpse of
a finer taste were apparant. Perhaps a
dozen favorite books of poetry and phi
losophy were piled upon it, flute lay
/ by their side, and brown stone mug in
] the centre was never without its boquet
of wild flowers.
The other half of the house was kitch-
en- and parlor; and nobody would guess
that it was bedroom also, during the
night, did they not notice a little frame
with blankets inside turned up snugly
against :e vail In the corner furthest
from the stove.
s"I declare, Mrs. Muggius, this is re-
ally delightful" said MIR. Fielding, in
his earnest, pleasant way, the first even
ing they sat down to tea.
A cool wind blew over the lake and
in at the door; woodland aud water glow
ed in the suusetlight, aud he could see
it all from from his place at the table.
7 A white cloth was on the board, and.
brace of phcasants, and fish from the
lake, and golden corn poner upo1 that;
and upon one side sat the smart old Ia
dy pouring tea into two little cups of
blue earthen ware, her clean cap on, and
her eyes stealing satisfied glances at the
perfection with which the fish was ''done
brown" And, loveliest sight Of ell, at
the other side, in high chair bought b
I the city, wfth-her bowl Of bread and
milk before her, sat the beautiful baby
Myrtle, smiling over at her friend, aud
shedding sunshine over he place By her
bright Innocent countenance.
Mrs Muggins probably thought that
her mpanion referred entirely to the
looks of the dishes before him.
"rm glad if you like my cooking,
Mr. Fieldin'; I've generally been reck
oned purity good Land ar it," she ans
wered, complacently. -s... ST.. .....-
II do like your cooking" he respond
ed ,emphatically, as lie helped himself to
pheasant. "Aud l like the quiet OF
this place, too, so sereue, So beautiful.
If one had only travelled to Switzerland
or Italy in search osit, he would go era,
zy with rapture; but, as it is only Amer
ican, suppose it cannot be compared.
1 think l shall like this way of living
very much, Mrs Muggins; and, if you
aud Myrtle like it as we'll as I, !
think we shall get along admirably"
"Nobody'll complain of yom, if they
DON'T" said his housekeeper. You
must feel cen almost as if you was the
father of the child; aud beauty she be
poor thing! She's no more trouble than
nothing. The ladies at the tavern made
her plenty of clothes, aud I've only to
take care of them. Did you say you
had never been married, Mr.. Fieldin'?'
"Never, to my knowledge"
81 declare, that's Gurus! Such a
likely man, too"
~ suppose that 1 ought to be mar
ried," was the light reply; "but, wiz
you to attend to my comfort, aud This
little creature here to care for, think l
must get excused"
did you ever meet with disappoint-
ment?" asked Mrs, Muggins.
The gentleman looked down suddenly
into his cup aud commenced stirring
his tea.
"Perhaps," he answered. "What if
I had?"
"Nothin," only I don t think you de
served it. 1 guessed as much when 1
heard you playin' on that fife afore sup
pert sounded SO heart broken like y
"Qufte compliment to my playing,
but 1 assure you L am far from heart
broken. There is not q sounder heart
ed man in Wakwaka And remember,
Mrs. Muggins, l have not confessed yet
to disappointment"
So saying, having fipished his tea, he
took Myrtle in his arms, and went and
sat in the door of his own room.
THE girl must have been fool who
cheated him." murmured the old lady,
as she washed up the tea things; "but as
like ms not she died"
In the meantime, Hugh sat holding
the child on his kaee, talking to her lov-
ingly, aud trying to learn her to say