The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-12-26
Tie Sandman PeddIer.

one of the prettiest that meets the eye of th
traveller through this pi picturesque region. Iii
perched upon the highest range of mountal
scenery, commanding extensive views and ii
cultivation is more than equal to the other town
in the same locality. Where the fields are nc
rich enough for other purposes, they are apprc
Iprated to the goats, of which there are larg
number almost every one of the farmers an
the better sort of peasants possessing several
and, in many cases, considerable stock.
Afar from the din and turmoil of cities, tn
peaceful inhabitants of these mountains ply thei
humble labor, without wish for greater dis
tinction; except that now and then, some per
turbed and restless spirit will be stirred up b,
strife or ambition, and seek higher or noisie
lot at distance from the quiet scenes of The
mountain villages.
! Once on time,' there lived at Balenne,
farmer " no valued himself particularly upon his
! possessions. Indeed, his farm was the bes
within the village; he had good stock of cat
tie, productive farm, and quantity of sheep
| which no other landholder could equal.
But there was one possession that he priced
above all, as well he might; and that was his
daughter and only child, Leona, very pretty
and modest young maiden, whose gentleness Of
demeanor and simplicity of dress were worthy
of imitation OF every farmers daughter or peas
ant girl in Balenne.
As might be expected, both from her own
charms, and her fathers profitable estate, Leona
had no lack of lovers but she withdrew her.
self from their notice as much as possible, seem
ngly with no desire for the expression of their
admiration, and remained at home nearly all
the time, occupied with household matters, in
which she proved most efficient helper to her
mother. The broad, farmhouse kitchen, an
apartment more constantly occupied than any
other in the house, was kept fresh, and beauti-
fully sweet by the hands of Leona while the
cooking of the establishment always received its
incest touches through her delicate taste and
skill. Glad was Dame ALDER that her daughter
sigmfed no intention of listening to her many
suitors both because she could not bear the
thought of parting with her, and also, because
she believed that there was not one in Balenne
who was half good enough to be Leona's hus-
band. So the girl went on to the mature age
of nineteen, without having any accepted lover.
She tended her flowers, waited upon her pare nts,
and performed al! her duties with a cheerfulness
of temper which made perpetual sunshine in the
old farmhouse; all the time apparently uncon-
scous of the pain she was inflcting upon the
youths of Balenne, or the jealousy she was ex-
citing in the maidens. Leona knew well that
she was beautiful How, indeed, could she he p
knowing what her mirror so eloquently tod her,
and which every tongue about her confirmed !!
So, she had none of the little silly affection of
pretending that she did not know her own b eau
ty but satisfied with its possession. she strove
TO keep the friends which her face brought to
her, by the charms of her mind and manners.
Among her most highly favored places ofvis-
iting, although she not often INDUCED in this
feminine amusement, being happier at homo
than anywhere, was the home of widow lady,
whose husband had been Sandman officer, of
Il do icf h,,k, H.
in the battle in which lie was killed would un-
questionably have brought him preferment, had
he lived to receive it. Madame Rayner was
woman far above the ordinary standard of the
Balenne females being of higher birth even
than her husband, after whose death she retir
ed with her only child to this mountain village,
where she could practice the economy now SO
necessary with her narrow income, and have
leisure to educate her son.
Louis Rayner was good son to his mother
bat somewhat proud and high spirited. He
dis dained the unambitlous youths of Balenne,
and held no intercourse with them whatever ;
devotlng all his time to literary purposes, except
Ing few hours each week to solitary hunting
or fishing, by which he supplied his mothers
table. In fact, Louis was becoming a trifie IN
doent, and not trifie misanthrOpic. His moth
er. alarmed at his total scorn of such society as
Balenne afforded, took pains to draw some of
the most intelligent to her house, but he turned
away from them all, until she discovered a
charm nEthe daughter of the farmer, ALDER, which
she believed could soothe the perturbed and
moody spirit of her son. Very sweet and lovely
was the vision of the fair Leona, as she came
up to the little lawn before Madame Rayner's
door. She had seen the lady several times in
the little, unpretending library room of Balenne,
and had been introduced to her each time by
some mutual friend. Each time Madame Ray
ner had urged her to call on her, and won by
her PLEASANT manners, Leona had availed herself
of the Invitation. Louis, however had kept
out of sight at these times, until one day, unex-
pectedly entering the room where she sat, wait
ing for his mother, he found that he could not
accomplish retreat without absolute rudeness.
Madame Rayner knew too well what sh. was
about, to be IN hurry TO interrupt the CONVEX
saton which was going Oh between the two
and when, at length, she could not decorously
wait any longer, she was delighted to find by
the unwOnted sparkle in the eyes OF Louis, and
the animation of his yoi,e, that he was pleased
and interested in his new acquaintance
The result was, that while Leona went home
to think of the animated and intelligent youth
who had made her morning so pleasant, Louis
was reused to a sentiment w nown before land
declared to his mother that he could not live
without Leona ALDER. For several DAYS he
tala ed of nothing else. His mother soothed him
by continually inventing occasions for the two
TO meet; and when, after few weeks. madame
was taken i'll, Leona was sent for and entreat-
ed by mother and son not to leave her. Leona
promised aud she attended her poor friend
until she died. The grefo Louis was
deep but noiseless, and Leona strove long be-
fore she could rouse him from the utter depres-
sion into which he had fallen.
Whom all was over and the fnnaral carvioac
she went home, leaving him all al
One for he would have no one in the house.
Finally, the Albers prevailed on him to 90 to
the farmhouse, and he became more tranquil.
As his ssdhess wore off. lie declared his love for
Leona, and she, fully reciprocating it, the mat
ter was laid before her father. The worldly
prudence Of Dame ALDER aud her husband for
babe them to throw away their daughter upon
one who had no Visable means of support but
they both liked the young man, and ALDER prom
1sed as soon as he could furnish two hundred
crowns, he should be entitled to bis daughters
hand, and bird of his farm. Stung with the
Of accomplishing this, in place
like Balenne. Louis had 10 call to his aid all his
fortune and strength, and even then he could
see no hope Added to his present distress he
was maddened with the knowledge that richer
sutton was proffering him claims to Leona's no.
tice and although he did not doubt his con-
stancy, yet he feared that the avarice of her
father might operate unfavorably fer HIM. He
left the farm for his own solitary home but the
lovers met every day renewing their vows of
unending devotion.
Leona came to their trysting place one night
with a face full of alarm. Young Lanny, her
new lover, had been urging her father anew
and ALDER, satisfed that Louis could not produce
The money he required, had made a request al
most amounting to a command that she should
receive Lanny as her lover. That evening, all
the young people of Balenne were invited to a
wedding. The daughter of one of the richest
fal mers was to be married, and grand merry
making was to succeed the marriage ceremony
Leona, for a wonder, was going; and Louis
agreed to go with her, although he was in 10
mood for mirth. He kept out of the principal
room most of the evening, and seated himself
by the wide kitchen fire, be listened with grow
ing interest 10 the adventure of French ped
der, who was relating his hair breadth escapes
among mountains, in his lonely travels These
peddlers do almost the entire business that is