The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-07-06
BLOCK, LIBERTY STREET.

6'S "osoo o'ehy y mohichs, onu W ssso shS
had reached my destination thought only
Of finding Q bed to tumble into, and could
not help consratulating myself upan the pos
session Of an airy farmhouse chamber, ,much
better suited to my comfort then than small
one in the crowded hotels at Newport. Al.
ter . cup Of tea concluded to try my quar-.
ters, and SEQ II q nap would not revive me
sufficiently to have good chat with Tom in
the evening. Four Of his "hopefuls" were
present ut the tea-tablc, the eldest, May, l
was told had "gone berrying." "Ah,"I
thought, as threw myself on the bed, "May
must 20 an active, obliging girl. / hope she
will ,elect good, plump berries. How much
better. to know whose hands they have been
through. The clean, stout fingers Of coun-
try cousin arc just the thing.
:. I awoke about eight O'Clock, with my
headache quito gone, and after hasty toilet
went below. was about to open the door
in which wo took ten, when the maid-of.all-
work, who was passing through tho hall,
stopped me and said:
"Mr. and Mrs. Warren are in this room,"
opening an opposite door. "Miss May is in
the dining-room with n gentleman.
$50 the beau Is on hand, said In IN
undertonc. "wcll, suppose he met her in
the fields, brought her basket homo for her,
and is now paying himself for 1t by chat
with his sweetheart. Well, I won't inter-
rupt proceedings, even to get an introduction
to the damsel."
SoIspent the evening with the old folks,
and so pleasantly did it pass with Toms
lively talk and our cigars, that the clock
struck eleven before VIC thought 1t hardly ten,
and. Tom hurried off to bed, with wonder
how he should feel like haying on the NOR
row. Sarah provided me with q good can
die, and followed his example. AsITasScd
the dining-room door "a low murmur informed
me that the lovers were still busy with each
other, and with yawn, l wondered how he
would feel for haying.
The next morning was up early, and as
II was yet some little time before breakfast,
accompanied Tom in ramble over his farm,
and listened with o really wonderful interest
to the many remarks no made about what he
had already done, and his plans for future
improvement. returned to tho house with
rharpcncd appetite, and was just entering
tho long hall when voice said
"Good morning, cousin John. Aren't
you going to speak to moi lam your cous-
sin. May Warren. ~. '-,-,-.. - -
Turning, I saw glrl'who looked as If
about sweet sixteen, sitting on low seat
under the shade Of noble elm which stood
near the house. / returned her greeting,
appropriated to myself part of tho scat,
and took good view of my young relative.
She was dressed in light calico, with a long
apron, but they could not conceal the Petite
form Quite little body, thought, and
lifted my eyes to her face. Nothing very
handsome thcro; but tho bright eyes, ros.
uish smilc, and soft folds Of shining hair,
might look very pretty IL they belonged to a
person in society. Her checks wero bloom
ing, but then they wcro not Of that peony
style which expected to see. In word, !
thought Mays appearance quito acceptable
and concluded that after had fully i'm
pressed her with sense Of my dignity and
importance, I would steal an. hour or two
from my fishing, hunting and sleeping and
"draw her out" In fact I expected to have
quite spicy Irritation with the lady (she
looked As IL she had the natter, perhaps
awaken her lovers jealousy, then could
very easily settle affairs, pretend l had only
been playing the part Of an aacctionatc and
attentive cousin, and in the end present her
with some handsome bridal prcscnts-thstis is,
IL she were tractablc, but 1t was foolish to
think otherwise. OF course she could not
resist my destinations.
proposed that should help her 'pick
over the berries, and receiving laughing
permission, my fingers were soon busy,
though took very small handfuls, 30 that J
might often help myself, but II always hap
ncncd that mine were finished about the time
hers were, 30 our fingers often met in the
f,;sndlv basket. Her slender digits aey fast
or than mine, much faster in fact than l
liked, 50 that the basket was soon cmptied,
and wc had to adjourn to the house. Didn't
7 do Justice to the berries that meal
After the catables were disposed Of, be-
took myself with my gun to the woods, leav-
ing May to supcrintcnd the pots and kettles.
I thought II must be warm work, but then
she was used to It, and Of course wouldn't
mind, 40 went 10 work also and shot the
patridgcs with as sure an aim as thought
should assail Mays heart. returned laden
with spoil, which, she charmingly promis-
cd, should bc cooked with her own hands.
That afternoon, Tom handed me note.-
Il was from friend of Minis lately married.
who II seems owned q country seat in tho Vi
cinity, and Il was now filed with visitors,
many Of whom knew. Hc had heard that
I was visiting there, and accordingly sent me
an invitation to party which they were to
give that evening. This was just the thing;
my most fashionable suit could once moro
sec the light. and could vary tho mouoto-
ny Of visit to tho country relatives by calls
| upon the fair ones there congregatcd.
what pity I thought, as dressed
mysclfShat evening, "that May Is not q lit
tie used to society. But suppose even