The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-10-18
and hum of life have subsidcd, and tn,

now the sunbeam that llghledit. The
only child of parents who wore far ON
the downward slope Of life, it was her
presence which added light and glad
ness to iho home upon which her eyes
had first opened, and where she had
dwelt seventeen blisSful years.
Nobody called Annie Grey beautiful,
but what difference did that make,
when she was so very, very lovely
Annie had II clear, pale complexion,
soft brown hair and gentle blue eyes !;
and she had that rarcsy charm in the
world, II smile which swelIcd up from u
soul full ofpurily and love, and voice
like some sweet btguiiing melody-"so
sweet we know not when we listen TO
it," She had also that graceful, gliding
motion, more like the fl. ating OF II
swan than aug lit else, which | always
thought Longtellow had in his mind
when he wrote of Evangelinc.
when she passed, it was like the ce,lsing of
exquisite music "
Annie Grey ran into the kitchen one
morning, whore her mother was com,
pounding some Of that rare old brown
blead--whlch nobody ever made equal
to old Mrs. Grcy-and held up II letter
in one hand, while with the other she
pushed the browE hair thouyntlully
back from her forehead.
"Mother, Cousin Grace is coming to
make us II long visit this fall she
writes me that the shall be here in a
week from now"
"Weli, daughter, | shall be glad to
see her, m sure. She was poor sister
Lucy's only child; poor thing, never
knew what it was to have Il mother
You will have very nice times, Annie
having some one to 90 around witn."
eyes, mother, shall be very glad tc
have Grace here and we must get the
house all tiNcd up, and rs much work
done rs we can, so we can have all the
time to amusc her"
"Ycs, Annie, and | must make uI
those fresh preserves, and we must
have the minccmcat all ready for tn,
pies; and I'll warrant you Grace viii
say she never SAW such bread as hol
old aunt can makc-shc with her city
notions about cooking
"And, mother, | suppose | shall have
to give up going to school this winter
rs intended" said Annie, with hall
sigh, which made her mother look up at
her.
She was looking down al Il buuch o
sweet peas she was pulling to pieces
AID her mothc only noticed that hen
brow was knit with half lrown.
"Oh, we II see about that when the
time comes, Annie; and now, you just
run out to the barn and get me some
fresh eggs, for the minister will be here
to supper and | want to make some
cream custards, for he don't get them
at home, I'm afraid for Deacon Saith
thinks that ministers shouldn't CRAFTY
thei appetiles by living on the tat of
the land"
lily like timorous hart or roe,
Over the hills where spices grow
don't fly like timorous hart or
roe, Annie Grey; but come here and
sit down, and have talk," exclaimed
aquick. manly voice, just behind her,
And Annie looked slyly back, to see
the village schoolmastcr, Geo Brooks,
just seating himsclton the style,
"Ah! good morning, Mr. Books
what pleasant morning.
"Yes; come here and sit down, Miss
Annic,"
81 cant stop. Mother is waiting for
me to go to the barn for some eggs
and | must hurry so good morning
'Tll go with you for the eggs, and
then you can come back"
50 off they started for the barn. and
such search for eggs as they began.-
Strange that they could not find Il sin
gle egg tor 50 long II time, that old Mrs
Grey became tired of waiting, and
stood out at the gate, calling:
"Annie, Annie where in the world
have you gone to? | cant wait all day
for them eggs"
They began to hurry up then and
soon George found IL large nest Of eggs,
which he wouldn't let Annie put into
her apron, until she had paid him for
them at the rate oi kiss dozen. Not
that Annie consented to the arrange
ment at all "n the contrary, she de.
clared she would 20 and find u nest her.
self; but just then, Mrs. Grey (oh
these old ladies terrible annoyance,
aren't they p was heard calling aloud,
again:
"Annie, Annie shall never get at
them custards, ifyou don't hurry with
them eggs"
And then George suddenly snatcbed
a couple of kisses, and began putting
the eggs into Annic's apron. Annie
pouted, and sent him home, declaring
she as too busy to bo bothered with
him that day and invited him to
come up when Cousin Grace arrived,
and ret acquainted