Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-10-18
ORIGINAL TALE.
Written For the Watertown Republican.
IARRY AND !.
BY LENA.

I had always been called decidedly
plain, and by many really homely. | had
oftentimes in my young life, breathed a
wish to be beautiful, but it was in yain.-
l would consult my little gilt framed look
ing glass, and always saw reflected in it,
the same grey eyes, the same large mouth
and nose, and the same brown hair, which
in justice TO myself would say, was really
pretty, as it lay in soft, wayy folds, upon
my broad, white forehead. My stepmoth-
er always regarded me with half pitying
look, and turned, with increaaed admira-
ton to her queenly Edith, who said, ''No
matter if Lena should be an old maid,
they are handy in house, and good to take
care of babies"
Sc it came to be settled fact in the
family, that was ever to be kept aloof
from such thing as love; that Cupid the
mischievous little fellow, was never to aim
at my poor heart his quiyering arrows no
indeed, such thing was quite untho't Of
Well, l was as much reconcled to my
fate, as any young lady at the mature age
Of twenty could be had even decided up
| on the exact number of cats and poodles
l would keep; and one day found myself
drawing my portrait as imagined | wo'd
look, when in the full stage of old maid
ism false curls upon either side of my
face spectacles resting contentedly across
my nose ; stiff ginghanl dress, starched
calico apron, knitting work in one hand,
and snuff box in the other
Ny home bad not always been in the
great city. Ah no; long ago while the
turf was green upon mothers grave, |
Lad spent the years Of my orphanage with
a widowed aunt at her cottage in the coun-
try. Those happy years Memory is
faithful to her heaven born mission, and
as | sit here in the coming twilight, those
scenes come fresh before me, and | live
again the joyous past. I see them now,
the old fashioned farmhouse with its slo-
ping roof the low porch, where we used
to sit and watch the sunlight as it flicker
ed and died away the dear old NAPLES,
that had been planted by grandfather's
hands, ard now afforded shade for his chill
dren the old well, with its ''moss covered
bucket, . from which We had SO often quaff-
ed the peariy drops as they came dripping
from the depths beneath the bread fields
spreading far away +: and the winding riv-
ersn the distance, into which l had so of
tep thrown my paper boats, and laughed
with girlish giee as they floated on until
they became mere specks upon its ripping
surface
Happy childhood hours of sweet rest,
when the heart knoweth no sorrow; when
our life boats glide gently on, unfettered
by care, undisturbcd by dark billows be-
low, or frowning clouds above
It was the week following my arrival at
the farm; | was preparing to enter the
"district school, which was to open that
day when heard CHEEKY voice cxclaim,
Good morning, Mrs. Allen, is that little
niece of yours going to school? Mother
said bad better call for her, as she is
stranger here Beside the walking is bad,
and I thought she would let me take her
on my new sled
Eyes, she is going, and will be right
glad of company, FIR she is ratLcr timid,
and has been dreading to 60 alone. Here,
Lena, is Master Harry Grey, come to take
you to school,
He is very kind" said l, at the same
time stealing bashful glance at my escsrt.
Chow handsome be is thought I, $50
tall and manly. his face. so frank and cheer
ful, dark, laughing eyes. winning smile,
and voice SO low and sweet,
Good bye, Auntle, | said, striving to
repress the struggling tears.
"What, crying? That will never do.
Harry will take good care of you s-"
Eyes, indeed" he answered, as he help
ed me upon the sled, at the same time
folding my thick, woolen shawl closely
around me, and drawing my knitted hood
tightly about my face to exclude the cold,
What pleasant ride had to be sure
The sky SO blue and cloudless, the snow
SO bright and sparkling, and the trees fair
" quivering beneath their weight Of pen
dant Jewels In the beauty of the morn
ing, had forgotten my childish grief, un.
til told by Harry that "yonder was The
school house, that low red building on tht
hill."
Now. little Lena be said, very gent
ly, as I stood before him, with eyes down
cast, and full of tears, you must not er,
one bit, You viii very soon get aequain
ted with the children. and be very happy
no doubt"
As Harry had predicted, was soor
quite at home among my new found friends
and when seated by my aunt at night, haC
glowing account to give of the school
and ali connected with it.
Co,-o-,. a.,,,.o o,,1 roocod . -.