Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-07-14

| those pare CHECKS, my llttic ueaIs,
said the pleasant 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 genial face in
the world, and her voice was as pleas
ant as her countenance. All, she was
a charming and admirable woman
No wonder that the girls loved her as
soon as they saw her.
Il am sure you are very good,
ma'am; and we shall be happier here
than ever we were in all our lives. /
feel at home already said Julia Ash
ton. impulsively.
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. Meanwhile the other
members of the party were equally
pleased with their reception and ac-
commodations.
How many girls want to see a
splendid sunrisc?' cried the voice of a
man the next morning, standing at
the foot of the stairs.
1t is Mr.. Stone. cried Grace, leap
ing at the same moment from dream
land and from bed. Girls, jump in
to any thing and hurry down. We
will carry a towel and wash at tho
brook
Wait! we are all coming called
Florence. opening the door little.
We'll. hurry, for can't wait long
In three minutes the troop was at
Mr.. Stones heels, and away they went
aticld.
The four girls hastened like young
ducks to the fresh, running water. and
happy and rosy they looked when they
stood 10y the farmers side.
He then gazcd most admiringly at
them, smiled, and said
You are pretty creatures-all OF
you. God bless you!'
The sun rose in all his majesty, and
after seeing him safely above the ho-
rizon, and then taking good scampcr
across the fields, the girls returned
hungry as bears to the house. Mr.
Stone was there before them, and the
table was spread with most inviting
breakfast.
After doing justice to Mrs. Stone
bounteous fare. the girls ran to feed
the poultry. and to hunt for the eggs
This was new work for the Ashton
girls, but it delighted them greatly
They were joined by the other mem.
bers of their party, and had a regular
jumping match in the barn. Then
they all went to the kitchen, and
picked over dried fruit and green's fol
dinner. At twelve o'clock they part.
, ed, and after dinner the Ashtons were
so tired that they were glad to go t,
their bed. But every day they grew
hungrier and stronger, and wilder
also: and before they had been ther,
month. they were, as Ada said, "a,
, good as new
Rainy days they spent in writing to
their parents. or in helping the farm
ers' wives make rag carpets or mats
Time never hung heavy on their hands
There were plenty of books, maga
zines and papers to read; and theI
the boys (who were nearly men wer
, always ready for story telling and rid
dies. Those boys weic fine fellows
and very agreeable companions, but
is not worth while to say much abou
that. There was boy at College
\ Mr.. Edward Stone, strangers calle,
1 him. but they all called him Ed a
D home. He was at home a week, an,
the girls were not sorry, but it ism
a worth while to say much about that
! either.
r Miller was the name of the famil
o where the other three girls boarded
: There were several boys there, too.
y
4 We'll. Armstrong. said Mr.. Ash
; ton to his friend on finding himsel
e again seated beside him in down
1 town car. my young ones are so i
: love with the country that | can't &c
: them home. Carrie actually plead
for permission to live with good Mr.,
d Stone, whom she calls the best woma
J. in the world, and better even than a
c own mother. Your rustic friend mus
|. be a remarkable woman, hey?'
/ She is, Ashton. a more agrees
e bic person it will be hard to find. A
: my girls love her very much. Whs
It is your haste to recall your family
d 'Tis so sickly here yet. Let them r,
y main until next October
o oh, l can't get along any long,
a .....I~.x 49,. A.