Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-17


ant Mrs. Stone, the wife. Of the farmer
where Julia and Carrie were to board
The girls fell in love with Mrs. Stone at
first sight She had the sweetest, most ge-
nial face in the world, and her voice was
as pleasant as her countenance. Ah, she
was charming and admirable woman
No wonder the girls loved her as soon as
they saw her. .ar 6s..as ssb ..
u am sure You are very good, ma'am 1
and we shall be happier here than ever we
were in all our lives. / feel at home al
ready" said Julia Ashton, impulsiyely. -
AS the travellers were weary they retired
early to their rooms. Sweet, white-washed
rooms, fragrant with flowers and clean
odors. The snowy beds invited them, and
soon they were lost in dreams. Mean
while the other members of the party were
equally pleased with their reception and
accommodations.
chow many girls want to see splendid
sunrises" cried the next morning the voice
of a man, standing at the foot of the stairs.
"lt is Mr.. Stone," cried Grace, leaping
at the same moment from dreamland and
from bed. "Jump into anything, girls, and
hurry down. We will carry towel and
wash at the brook"
"Wait we are all coming" called Flor
ence, opening the door little
"Well hurry, for I can't wait long"
In three minutes the troop was at Mr..
Stones heels, and away they went afeld ::
the four girls hastened like young ducks to
the fresh, running water, and happy and
rosy they looked when they stood by the
farmers side.
He gazed admiringly at them, smiled and
said
"You are pretty creatures-all of you.
God bless youp'
The sun rose in all his majesty, and af-
ter seeing him safely above the horizon,
and then taking good scamper across the
fields, the girls returned, hungry as bears,
to the house. Mr.. Stone was there before
them, and the table was spread with an ir-
viting breakfast. After doing justice to
Mrs. Stones bounteous fare, the girls ran
to feed the poultry, and hunt for the eggs.
This was new work for the Ashton girls,
but it delighted them greatly. They were
Joined by the other members of their party,
and had regular jumping match in the
barn. Then they all went into the kitchen,
and picked over dried fruit and green's for
dli1n di1neEsolA neEsol teT~5ne 11,shJolis We're So TIreu
out that they were glad to 60 to bed. But
every day they grew hungrier and stronger,
and wilder also; and before they had been
month in the country they were, as Ada
said, "good as new" ... --......
Rainy days they spent in writing to thei1
parents, or in helping the farmers wives
make rag carpets or mats. Time neve
hung heavy on their hands. There wer
plenty of books, magazines, and papers t.
read; and then the boys (who were nearl
men) were always ready for story-tellin!
and riddles. Those boys were fine fellows
and very agreeable companions, but it
not worth while to say much about tha
There was "boy" at college-Mr. Ee
ward Stone, strangers called him. but the
all called him ed" at home. He was
home week, and the girls were not sorr.
but it isn't worth while to say much abo'
that, either.
Miller was the name of the family whe
the other three girls boarded. There wei
several a. ~boys' there r too; j..
h "Well, Armstrong" said Mr.. Ashton
his friend, on finding himself again seat'
beside him in down town car, ''my your
ones are so in love with the country th
I can't get them home. Carrie actual
pleads for permission to live with good M
, Stone, whom she calls the best woman
| the world, and better than her own not
' er. Your rustic friend must be remal
. able, woman, heya"
, "Shei is, Ashton. A more agreeable p
i son it would be hard to find. All my gi
f love her very much. What is your ha
r to recall your family? IT'S sickly here y
; Let them remain until October" .
B "Oh, l can't get along any longer Wi
J. out them the house is like tomb an
must have them back next week"
K But the girls, accustomed to have til
own way, fatty refused to come unless th
al parents both went for them. awe vi
% you to knw these best of people, especis
Mrs. Stone" they wrote; "and we want J
At to get at least one good long smell of
Is delicious air of this place"
S, MIR. and Mrs. Ashton complied with
h desire Of their children, and one day,
,e sunset they stood at the gate of farr
Stones commodious house."
it Who were the rosy girls that sprang
e. meet them 2 surely not their thin, delit
a. daughters?
en- "Oh! father, oh! mother-we are
IS. giadt Come in! come in! Mrs. Sto
ot Mrs. Stonel here are father and moth
cried the girls, and then Grace, and
at rushed into the porch, and instantly
'or turned, dragging in the blushing and
ay tered looking lady Of the house.
,ry She had never appeared more eharn
by in her life than she did then, with his
M dren clinging about her and conten,
yer with each other who should say mos
vas her praise. So thought Mr.. Ashton, a
ny looked upon @Mary," his sweetheart oi
lay olden time, and knew her at the first gls
tn "And is it sow he said, as he took
in plump hand, and pressed it warmly.
understood him, but ne one else did.
iris ALL the girls were. there, and there
the no hearing ones own ears. Presently
rm- Stone cleared them all out, to allow
nile and Mrs. Ashton to take their supp
ler. peace.
by "My girls are all recreated :. and