The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1860-08-01
The Cottage and its Inmates.


don't know. Haven't been there to gather
roses and feast on strawberriesl and who,
pray, should know betterl No! it wasn't a
cottage ornee-there was nothing Frenchifed
about it. 1t was merely American, and har-
monized so sweetly with the American scene-
ry. No, it hadn't a fiat roof nor portico ;
nothing of the kind. But then it had rose
vines running all over the windows, and whole
colonies of wrens built their nests and sang
beneath its caves. To the right was a field of
clover, red with blossoms on the left was an
orchard, whence every wind scattered snowy
shower of bloom in front was a green lawn,
shaded with some massive walnut trees, and
to the rear opened along grassy lane, through
which the COWS walked every morning to their
pasture beyond, and returned by the same
way at night.
knew well enough to whom this cottage
belonged. No, it wasn't a school teacher,
nor preacher, nor an author-no such thing!
it was built by the hand of him who owned
it, and lived in it, and had always admired
his excellent taste in blending the useful with
the beautiful, though | had never seen him,
my visits having always been made to his
wife, and during his absence. had heard
of him, though; heard enough to make mo
intensely curious to see him, for not female
tongue in the neighborhood approved of his
wife's choice.
What is the matter with himF l asked !;
is he immoralP
Not that know Of was the rcjoinder !;
but to tell the truth, Dolly, he's insufferably
ugy-his face is all Scared and cicatriccd, !
should think, by fire, and you know it always
makes me nervous to look at anything of the
kind
Poor man perhaps he got burned in res
cuing some child or feeble woman from the
hames,' l said. ...... ...........
Don't know--never heard; never made
inquiries; you know they only came to live
in this neghborhooG last summer, and new
er dare ask her what had so frightfully disfg
urcd him, but wish you would-oh l should
so much like to know
Il am considerably acquainted with Mrs.
Winslow,' | replied; Il Thought Of calling
upon her this morning; perhaps she will tell
me without asking
tbot's N Iaop ..onl llnl1,-' And |
did.
The whole atmosphere seemed redolent
with music and fragrance, | couldn't tell why
all the birds had taken it into their little heads
to sing warble and build their nests there;
didn't know why it was that all the MOSES,
buttorcups, violets and daises should prefer
that place to any other; but they certainly
seemed to, Judging from the profusion in
which they grew,
The whole prospect was beautifully rural
and picturesque, and over all fingered an in
fluence of dreamy quietude and rcpose.
A narrow footpath, crooked as footpaths
always are, wound along through the lawn.
beneath the shadows Of the giant walnut, and
10y this approached, entered the little gate,
and assembled the graveled walk, bordered by
beds of flowers, to the door. Ii was opened,
and went In. r-, ..t"
Alone--a serene and peaceful hush rested
within. The balmy wind nestled in the
wreaths of snowy drapery hanging at the win
dow, where great white and red roses bowed
their graceful heads. and the warm, rich sun
light came in, and lay in bright bars of ra-
dance upon the floor. I.....
Not quite alone either-a cradle was there;
and it required no conjuring to tell that the
cradle had an inmate-a self-dignifed, thought
ful, imperturabc little baby,whose quiet calm
ness l could not quite understand. 1t was
wide awake, and its great blue eyes were star
ing with infant persistence at something,
couldn't tell what; then they turned upon
me, and returned the gaze. But Il made no
difference; the baby had not foul or evil
thought to hide; it was not conscious of
Sin III NOfu OE ucSus nSHSc tutic NdillS ~
blush on that delicately rounded cheek. No
falling to that calm, quiet eye, limpid as a
lake in summer, serene as the heaven of June.
What a curious mental transcript would be
the mind of baby! OF what was ii thinking!
Perhaps of the dainty smells that came in
with every breath at the open windows, per
haps Of the great red blossoms hanging in
clusters amid the green leaves, and the light
SO warm and rosy falling in showers not far
off; perhaps of its airing yesterday out in
the green woods, beside the brook, beneath
the shadows of ancient oaks, among tho ferns
and MOSES, and further into the woods again,
where thickets of Laurel were one mass of
rainbow-tinted bloom. The baby knows moth
ing OftAe neglect ofkiTelipgs or Eursery maids,
1t has never been left to the tender mercies
Of strangers, that its mother might attend
balls and operas. 1t has never. been dosed
with drugs, CT forced into an unnatural sleep,
in order that the nurse might chat, sitting on
the steps with her next-door neighbor, OF
perhaps entertain company with the cook of
an evening in the kitchen, The bahy's round,
4 Il. 1. Ill.