The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-08-19

your wild oats until you are. With such /;
chance as you have''-
"Why, mother,' broke in Hugh, cit isn't 81
bad as that"
"Isn't SO bad? What do you mean?''
:Why, you know what you're driving at
and so do I. Lucy is a good girl enough, bu
I never meant anything serious. There's nt
need Of my marrying her."
"What are you talking about?''
ssNow, mother, what's the use. You are ONLY
trying to read me moral lecture, because
gave Lucy harmless smack"
"Lucy Ransom!'' repeated Mrs. Kinloch
with ineffable scorn. s'Lucy Ransomi hop'
my son isn't low enough to daily with house
maid, scullion! If had seen such spec.
tacle, should have kept my mouth shut fo1
shame. "a guilty conscience needs no ac
cuser;' but I am sorry you had not pride enough
to keep your disgusting fooleries to your
self"
"Regnlarly sold!" muttered Hugh, as h,
beat rat-tattoo on the window-pane.
81 gave you credit for more penetration
Hugh. Now, just look minute. Wha
would you think Of the shrewdness Of young
man, who had no special turn for business, bu
a great fondness for taking his case,-with nc
money nor prospect for any,-and who, wher
he had the opportunity to step at once into
fortune and position, made no movement tc
secure it?'
"Well, the apple ation2"
"The fortune may be yours, il you will.''
.sDon't tell me riddles. Show me the rrize
and Pm after it,
"But it has an membranes"
"Well?'
"a pretty, artless, afFectionate little woman
who will make you the best wife in thu
world"
"Splendid, by Jove! Who is she?'
"You needn't look far. We generally miss
seeing the thing that is under our nose"
"why, mother there isn't an heiress in In
nisfeld, except my sister Mildred.'
"Mildred is not your sister. You are no NOR.
to each other than the two farthest persons or
earth."
"True enough! Well, mother, you are an
old 'un.'
"Don't"-with look Of disgust,- t,-ssdon't
use your sailor slang here! To see that doesn',
require any particular shrewdness.'
"But Mildred never liked me much. She
always ran from me. like the kitten from old
Bose. She has always looked as though she
thought would bite, and that it was best she
shonld keep out of reach under chair"
ssAny young man Of good address and fail
intelligence can make ar impression on cir
of eighteen, if he has the will, the time and thu
opportunity. You have everything in your
favor, and if you don't take the fortune that
lies right in your path, you deserve to 20 t.
the poor-house.
Hugh meditated.
"Good-morning," said Mrs. Kinloch. ssYor
know the horse ana carriage, or the saddle
ponies, are always yours when you wan. to
use them"
Great discoveries seem always so simple
that we wonder they were not made from the
first. The highest truths are linked with tn,
ccmmonest objects and events Of daily life.
Hugh looked about him as much astonished
as though he had been shown GOLD mine ID
old Ruobbin, where he could dig FOR the ask
ing. What determination he made, the course
of our story will show.
CHAPTER VIII.
Hugh had ordered George, the Asiatic, Il
uaI kha ~nnsno - q
ask Mildred to take ride northward, through
the pine woods; but on making inquiries
he found tina, she had walked out, leaving
word that she would be absent all day.
"Confound it," thought he,-"a mishap a
the start! Pm afraid the omen isn't good
one. However must kill time some way.
can't lay up here, like ship in ordinary; bet
ter be shaken by storms or covered with bar.
nacles at sea than be housed up, worm-eater
or crumbled into powder by dry rot on Shore ,
He went to ride alone, but did not 60 in the
direction Of the pine woods.
Mildred could not get over the unpleasant
impressions OF the morning, 90 rather than re-
main in her room this fine day, she had walk.
ed across the meadow, east OF the mill-pond
to farm house, whore she was frequent and
welcome Visitor. On her way, she called TO
Lizzy Hardwick, the blacksmith's daughter
who accompanied her. Mrs Afford, farmer
was blunt, good-humored, and rather eccen'
trio man, shrewd and well to do, but kindl,
and charitable. He had no children, and h
enjoyed the occasional visits of his favorite
heartily; 50 did his wife, Aunt Mercy. He
broad face frightened as she saw the girl
coming, and her plump hands were both ex
tended to greet them. They went to the dairy
to see the creaking cheese presses, ate Of th'
fresh curd, saw the golden stores Of butter;-
thence to the barn, where they clambered up.
on the hay-mow, found the nest Of bantam
took some Of the little eggs in their pockets
then coming into the yard, they patted tn
calves heads, scattered oats for the doves
that, with pink feet and pearly blue necks
crowed around them to be fed, and next begar
to chase fine old gander down to tho brook
when Mr.. Afford, getting over the fence, call
ed out. aHold on, girlsi don't bother Uncl
Ralph!-don'tv'
ssWhere is Uncle Ralph?" asked Mildred.
sWhy, that gander you've been chasn'; an,
he's about tho harn'somest bird I know on
too. Talk about swans! there never was
finer neck, nor prettier coat Of feathers OF
ANYTHING that over awum. Hrs wings are now