Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-15

the word style, the old man missed some home
comforts, the piano got out of tune and there
| was nobody to tune it, the two maid-servants
took it into their heads to leave just at the bu-
siest time, and they could get no body for
love or money to fill their place. Margaret
Maria was obliged to lay aside her diamond
| ring and go into the kitchen. The old man
was foolishly indulgent, begged her to spend
all the money she wished. She proposed a
removal to the city. ssRisky piece of busi-
ness" said the Squire, ssnever get into a bet
ter neighborhood than this. Besides, I've
found place on that middle creek for anoth-
mill-capital fall of water there" She
grew very lonely. Two or three times during
her intervals of leisure, had she taken from
it's secret hiding place, a faded bouquet, the
souvenier of early love, while the old man
was accustomed of Sabbath evening to gaze
| long on lock of silyery hair, and to moisten
it with tears. At last two stout Irish girls
were imported from the city, and the same
trip of the Squire also brought home an ele
CANT silver tea service. Margaret Maria threw
herself into the rocking chair and declared
that if it were not so horrid dull there, she
might yet be happy. ssLaw,'' said the Squire,
| sswhy not make party 10 eyes chimed in
| Susy, s.we'll have all the neighbors. And
| I'l tell you what, We'll show them STYLE"
said Margaret Maria. getting eloquent, 81
guess they ii open their eyes once in the world.
| If only had some of my city friends.''
| 81 told the folks here,'' said tho Squire,
''that last saw mill is turning off more lumber
| than all the rest put together
ssSusy,'' said Margaret Maria, ssyou must
have an evening dress. Pink satin would be
pretty for YOU" Susy's cherry lips were par
! ted with an exclamation of wonder. "Why,
didn't you ever hear of such thing, and
YOU must have it short secves.''
"What, in winter 20
sWhy, you poor little heathen," said Mar
garet Maria, and all at once her benevolent
feelings were aroused, and she determined to
make something of the girl. owe will have
Andrew for the porter, and you and will re-
ceive the company as elegantly as possible,
and We will take care to have magnificent
! table,
| CHAPTER ".
The whole house was alive with preparations
| for the coming fete; invitations were sent out,
and Margaret Maria was in her element The
| Squire had but one direction to make and that
| was not to slight anybody. The pink satin was
produced, and it really made Susy look like
some fair young rosebud. Margaret Maria
put on her bridal robes and was herself again.
ssThey will come early" suggested Susy.
| ssNot before eight
ssWhy, yes" :" laughed out Susy, ssevery body
goes to bed at half past eight.''
| Andrew was instructed as TO his duties and
Susy practiced the hostess by receiving her
mother several times. Just about dark large
| sleigh load came driving at the gate, and soon
there came a loud knock at the door. Andrew
the porter, looked comcal, and the Squire
darted through the kitchen 20 receive them.
:sWhat does it mean rs said Margaret Maria.
"Why the neighbors always come in that way, -
said Susy, ewe never use our front door in the
winter.'' Then came a burst of laughter from
the new comers, and Andrew looked up be-
scechingly and asked if he must stand there
all night. In came Mrs. Jenkens, a square
shouldered woman, dressed in shilling delane,
with black silk apron and clean linen col
lar. Next came whole bevy of girls. They
stood with their mouths wide open, evidently
stupefied at the fairy like appearance of Susy
and her step-mother, while Andrew indulged
in sly giggle.
ssMargaret Maria,'' said the Squire, dashing
on without any regard to ceremony, 'sthis is
Mrs. jenkins, good a neighbor as ever l
wish to live by, and here the Crank girls,
and law-law Susy knows 'em all. Susy cor
daily greeted her young fricnds-and tried to
make them feel at ease. Sleigh load after
sleigh load came, and all the back way. Every
piece of poplin and delaine at the dry good
store on the sscorners'' was represented that
evening. Never was Margret Maria puz-
zled to play the hostess. The young men
ranged themselves on one side of the room,
the girls on the other, and there they stood as
if for a spelling school. The old women hud-
died together in the corner and unrolled their
! knitting works while Squire Martin entertain
ed the men on his favorite subject, Sawmills.
paid off a score of old debts that evening
I! Margaret Maria thought of gayetes of A.
and gave a sigh for Harry Blake. RefreShment:
were served up early as several suggested il
was about time they were going home. The
table was arranged with exquisite taste, bu
r the guests were too much frightened to eat, al
= except the widow Crank, who drew off a long
= slice of cake, and then stepped up TO the brid,
: and said, ssWell, used to think the Squire
: first wife was the best cook ever did see, bu
: l declare you do beat her entirely" Marga
: ret Maria smiled pitying smile as much as t.
c say ssyou poor heathen.'
o When they returned TO the parlor, Susy pro
0 posed music, at which the singing master a
II the sscorners" nstinctively drew out his pitcl
c pipe and was just ready to strike Balerma
!. when all at once he beheld piano in the room
a Susy asked her mother to play. She seate'
!. herself at the instrument, and running he
d jeweled fingers over the keys, began one O
e Mozart's sublime compositions. And as sb
II played, truant tear fell upon her diamon
: ring, what misery it had brought her.
# That night when all were gone, she laid he
= head on Susyis neck and wept. Sorrow ha
a softened her heart. ssSusy," said she, ssyo
e must go away from here. These may be GOO
y people, but they are not fit associates for you.
n Not many weeks after, Susy sent to
fashionable boarding school in the City OF A
g Margaret Maria's native home. She was no.
e left alone with her ssdear saw mill,' as sh
le mentally christened her husband. Susy ma
ID been away year and then there came news
at 1t was contained in a little note which rea
thus:
ssDearest father and mother, do not chide
ell 1 a young girl have learned to love, Dut harr
A. Blake is noble and worthy OF my affeotior
D. He is not rich but is fast rising 10 eminencf
ID I half wish he were poor, that might sho
ID him how entirely loved him for his own sake
ID Enclosed is a letter in which ne asks you
nnAr fail fhn nnl