Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-06-26
OLD SERIES,

.
On reaching the cross roads, I sat down
on rock by the roadside, placing the va
lisc before me on thegrass. In short time
I heard the coach coming, but no Mr.. Gra-
ham was in sight. 1t, the coach, soon
came up. The driver called to me. "Go-
ing in the stage, ma'am?" | shook my
head, and the numbering vehicle sped on It's
way, leaving me half smothered in cloud
Of dust.
So Mr.. Graham had missed the coach.
And what was I 10 do with the yalise
Return with it2 Not I, indeed II was
much plcasantcr idling away the forenoon
IN the fresh air than working with Jane in
hot dingy kitchen. / raised the valise,
and rctreatcl with II to the shade Of a
friendly birch. There was roll Of half
. finished embroidery, copy Of the " Lady
Of the Lake" and much-worn drawing
pencil IN the pocket Of my dress.
Having made this iycntory Of my present
available property, selected tho pencil,
and amused myself in sketching the passcrs
by on the smooth white bark Of the birch.
Tho body OF the tree was quite covered with
oddly contrasting figures when | put up the
pencil and turned to look across the meadow.
Mr.. Graham stood near regarding my rough
draughts with an amused look.
Pardon me II have disturbed you 2"
he said.
Having worked up my materials l can
afford to be disturbed. You are an hour
too late for the coach, Mr.. Graham"
Yes. was mi,iniormed Is to tho time
Of It's arrival. see my yali'c is here, bot
not the person who brought IT,"
81 brought it over, before the stage came
along, and have bccn keeping faithful watch
aud ward over it since"
"You broucht tower I extremely regret
it-nor can understand why the tsss was
imposed upon you lrft direction. for
MIR smith, man, Tom, 10 como on with
my uli.,"
mir. smith. man, Tom, was ot.crwis,
engaged. Therefore 1t devoIycI on Mrs.
smiths woman, B,i'-y to fulfil your COM
mission"
% That a-youns lady should have done
me a menial service"
Need occasion no uneasiness, Mr.. Ora.
ham, | belong, literally, to that class OF
individual. who lrc. hcwcrs Of wood aud
drawers Of water We're to sketch my.
s,lf, it would DO with a burden on my
shonldo--, cumbersome as that which Chris
tian bore, IN the illustration, that grace the
the ancient edition Of his pilgrimage. But
iryou please, would liko my shilling, my
portcr's hire, Sir"
Thank YOU for reminding me. he said,
laughing as he held forth bright gold
eagle.
/ Keep your gold, Mr.. Graham. shall
take not penny moro than have earned.
Haven't You a stray shilling"
elf have would muc, rather give you
the gold"
"AuI will have nothing but the silver. -
without further parIcy, he bestowed the
compensation asked.
"what wall You DO with it? boy q new
pencil ?" hc asked.
"No. shall keep it for the sake Of
lang was"
- 30 no, see tho drift Of your cnlsmati-
cal expression" +" said Mr.. Graham slowly,
aud looking at Tue a,ten,ively the while.
Then the riddle must remain a riddle.
have neither time, inclination, nor intcn-
ton to enli shten your understandlng,whieh,
pardon mo is quito obtusc. Now that my
mission is ended, and my wages paid, |
will 80 home. wish you 4 good morning,
sir"
i | returned by the way Of a field. On
gaining the shelter Of the bushes tha, grew
along the the border Of the meadow, | looked
back, and saw Mr.. Graham yet standing
beneath the old birch, engaged in studying
the dclincations on its back. For many a
day | had not known so light heart The
interview just past reminded me 80 pleasantly
aud forcibly OF old times, that Tor the mo-
mcnt | seemed once more child, delight
fully occupied in yeHIug and p"rPleHine
Weld Graham. However, no sooner did |
cross the threshold OF my guardians door
q was Mr.. Smiths Ward) than These
pleasant hncies vanished. | regaincd my
identity. More than that, | privately read
Bctsey Lake pretty severe lecture showing
her the utter folly Of thus dragging from
oblivion bright passages in the early girl
hood OF Lizzie Lake.
The next morning Jane and | were al
work together finishing the weeks ironing
that bad left the previous day when sent
off to the crossroads.
IL have always supposed till now, Betsey'
that you had no more property than
have" remarked the housemaid.
"Nor have |, Jane, am as poor rs
church mouse, which means, suspect, poor
, as it is possible for one to be-"
"But Mrs. Smith says You have some
property. Jus, now heard Mr.. Graham
. asking her particularly about you, and she
at last said, in 10th kind Of way, that
your father left you a little something,
which you would have when you came OF
, age. She said, too, that you were very in
tractable when you came here, and she and