Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-28

WHAT KATY DID.
A Maiden's Summer Afternoon
BY MARY W. STANLEY GIBSON.

BY MARY W. STANLEY GIBSON.
CHAPTER
Our Katy was farmers daughter and lived
in brown farmhouse with tumaric trees be-
fore the door, that stood on one of the many
crossroads leading to and from the Notch of
the White Mountains. She was a bright
haired, dark-eyed, happy, healthy Yankee
girl-an only child, too, and perhaps little
spoiled by her father, who was accustomed to
say that no woman on earth could ''best" her
for "gOOd looks, sweet temper, and strawberry
shortcake." There were very few people in
the village who did not agree with him, and
they were mostly maiden ladies Of an uncer
tain age, who having lost youth, and beauty,
and grace, themselves, could never be brought
tc find them in any other of their sex. As for
the young men Of fthat little New England town,
they swore by Katy one and all-snd cast en-
yious glances at George Bathurst, the school
master, every time they saw him turn up the
lane that led to the brown farm house-or
still worse, came down from it with his pretty
.fGncee leaning on his arm.
Katy knew this very well, but truth compels
Inc to say, that she conducted herself, under
such trying circumstances, with miraculous
prOpriety, and did not by her ''sub rosa" fir
tations drive her lover to the point of wishing
himself cut up into shoe-striDgs or sausage
meat, much oftener than four times during the
space Of each calendar month. This for a
beauty and belle is deserving Of all praise.
Living like Queen among her adoring sub
jects, with scarcely wish ungratifed, from
one years end to another, what cause was
there for Katy's life ever to breathe sigh, or
katy's heart to throb wearily in her bosom
You and /, dear reader, would say "none"
because we are not in her position, but every
house has its skeleton in the closet" as a
certain cynicsl writer of the present day de-
lights to sing: every shoe Finches in some
place, the foot that wears it-and Oliver Twist
was not by any means the first or the last to
ask for ''more," though Fate, with the aspect
Of parish beadle, too often raps the applicant
over the knuckles, and wonders if it is ''meat''
that breeds and encourages such audacisus
impertinence. Being human, Katy dreamed
human dreams, and they were not always of
the wisest. This was one of them.
1t chanced on July afternoon, after dinner
was over, and the dishes washed and put away,
that Katy came down from her chamber neat
ly dressed in pink muslin, and stood before
the parlor glass to give her curls a parting
touch. before she took her sewing to the bench
outside the door. The day was hot and sultry
She felt slight headache coming on; she felt
cross, moreover, as people have a right to do
before the cool weather comes She threaded
her needle, sitting on the bench and looking
up at the blue sky; she took a stitch or two,
and wished she was bird, that she might fiy
F'' over the hills and far away she pricked
her finger and threw her work down in a pet
so, am tired of it all ~ she sighed, lean
s ing her checks on her hand. Tired to death
OF WOIk, WOlh, WOIk-lrOm morning till night,
from one years end to another Who was it
said wOmans work is never done? They
told the truth. get up in the morning fresh
and bright, and begin it-I 60 to bed at night
u tired and vexed, and it is not over Bake,
= brew, scrub floors, brew and bske-how hate
Il all j.. And there are the iapjacks to be made
: for tea-0 dear. am sick of living, that is
a-the real TRUTH
The thought of the fapjacks quite finished
.sthe business. Katy's eyes were full of tears
Just then shining carriage. with stout
good-looking coachman on the box and two
pretty young girls inside, dashed past, and
= took the road that led to the Notch. lady
followed, mounted on a beautiful bay horse,
) and wearing a dark green habit and plush
hat, that contrasted we'll with her bright COM
plexion and jetty curls. Two gentlemen &C.
s oompanied her, and seeing Katy, they rode up
to the gate. One Of them, a slender, hand
. some youth of twenty, dismounted and came
up the path to speak to her, hat in hand.
We have had long ride, and my sister is
! very thirsty" he said cOurteously; could you
Q give US glass of water?''
= % Certainly, SIR
!. . Katy vanished, pleased and eager The young
oman stood on the threshold of the parlor wait
ing till she came back with tray and glasses.
He took it from her. She followed him down
: - The gate, bearing the blue pitcher in her
haQd The lady drank and thanked her with
eDright smile-so did her companion; the bay
z NUxU0 turned MS ne6Q WleQuIly, and Katy yen-
- fnfed to pat his arcfing neck
81 ~ on are fond of horses - said the lady with
- pleased look.
1.eiaVery," answered Katy. "I think the poor
tG[lbw would like some water too"
- And where shall we find it, my mountain
snAid?'
is little pond further down the road,
Idsahd large trough, where all our cattle drink
stos1t'Thank you"
'ssts The lady turned to her brother, who stood
.~1opking at the farmers daughter, instead of
:. linking the water with which he had filed
The glass.
= :, alfred take care Remember Maud Mul
& br." And she rode away.
lesfThe young man turned crimson, so did Katy,
&rshe also knew the poem. Then he gave the
!, ass back, and mounted his horse
Those are pretty roses" he said, pointing
- some that grew within the fence. "WiIlyo
- She chose the fnest-dipped its velvet leaves
= in the water and gave it to him. He held her
Band a moment and looked down at her blush
ing face.
~ my sister was right. Farewell, Maud Null
s1er." He dropped her hand, the horse gal.
-;loped down the lane, and Katy was alone.
Going back to the parlor, she placed the
5 1Doy upon the table, and sat down in the open
a0osr, with her face hidden in her hands. A
long, long time passed, then she looked up at
= DC bright sky and fresh fields.
- ~ go, why was born here?" she thought
81 eadly; " why was not my home where could
ave such beautiful things-whereI I, too, could
xfde about all day if liked; and live with such
s.pepple always. Maud Muller, indeed she saw
y = tthen-he did really admire me-" and again
Z. 9he mused. From the meadow below came the
arnging OF the mowers scythes against their
y 'rShetstones-she heard the sound, and il re-
minded her Of her kind father toiIing away
: cheerfully under the burning sun; of another,
> also, who, when school was out, would haste
= up the lane to meet her-yet in spite of all she
: sighed.
ii % How het the sun is growing. and how tired
Il am, )" she said rs she leaned her head against
'sss.fhe door and closed her eyes. so, if one but
.s1ived in the good old times now. if my fairy
Sgodmother were in the world, and would come
ssby my wishing for her, how happy should
rtbe!"
-" Are you sure Of that" said q shrill voice,
= very much like the chirp of grass-hopper in
2 the long grass.
A. Katy started up. Just before her, on the
: bench beneath the tumaracs, sat such an odd
n - - Il L y n