The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-01-17


IN SO many different styles, as though the
builder had been intent upon pleasing a
score Or more Of persons, each one differ
ling essentially from the other in taste
In front there were large trees and over
the windows looking upon the road scrag-
gy rose bushes and vines hung, matted
together in a solid mass of leaves The
front door, which she approached with
some trepidation, had the appearance Of
being newly painted, and what to her
seemed exceedingly ludicrous, its color
was bright yellow, which contrasted viv-
IDLY with the sombre gray Of the house.
The old people were making repairs" Z"
she said to herself as she raised the knock
er and gave heavy rap.
The old people were worthy couple
who had served her uncle for years, aud
who would look to her for a home-so
said the legal gentleman-during the re-
mainder of tier lives.
/" You are Mrs. Dearborn, | believe" :"
said Fannie to the old lady, as she made
her appearance, and | am Miss Fannie
Leonard. | have come to live with you." 3"
So saying, Miss Leonard walked into
the house like one having a right. She
had, indeed, and she was not timid
From that moment she was perfectly at
home.
The morning following she went over
the house. She was a neat, tidy person
age herself, and consequently was not
pleased with what she saw. She was a
little nervous too and as the old lady
threw open doors and closets, displaying
grimmy paint in one direction, and cob
webs, dust and rubbish in another, size
was obliged to exercise considerable self
command to keep from speaking abou:
lit. But finally, she did what was a great
deal wiser-put on an old dress and welt
to cleaning. She looked at her hands at
first (she had kept them very pretty and
delicate IN spite Of eyerything,) but a
second glance at TIE paint determined
her.
Now that very afternoon, Miss Fannie
Leonard met with sad mishap. She
was cleaning paint in what had been her
uncle's room, quaint little place with a
low, wide window reaching to the ground
at the back of the house, and as often as
she wished to change the water In her
basin, threw 1t out upon a path that ran
: near by. The last basin Of water size
threw into some ones face. She started
back and clapped her hands.
Mr. Dearborn !" she exclaimed, try,
/ ing to control her laughter.
Looking cut Of the window for the
t space of half a minute, Miss Leonard saw
e her mistake. \ stranger stood in the
= path, wiping the dirty water from his
. eyes and mouth. The young lady could
= not think of a single word to say. But
; the gentleman remarked quietly, raising
his eyes, = Clean water next time, if you
: please"
; Certainly, sir" answered Miss Leon
e ard, suddenly finding her tongue.
She was too vexed to apologise, and
+ arching her neck, she turned straight to
: her work again.
0 1t was not long before Mrs. Dearborn
came to her saying that Mr.. Cauldwel
f was in the sitting room and wished &c
t see her.
t "Mr. Cauldwell!" repeated Fannie
S blushing.
r Yes, the ccutleman who had helped
. work her uncIe's farm for a number OF
, years past. lie wanted to see her about
: it."
After this explanation she was as ig.
e norant as ever; but on entering the room
J she was evidently little wiser. This
: was the gentleman whom she had treated
to the contents of her wash basin, few
\ moments before. She returned his bow
: as coolly as she could, and seated herself
0 waiting to hear what he had to say tC
e her. But he did not seem in hurry tc
5 tell his business. lie wandered about
, from one subject to another, talking IN q
pleasant, easy way, of this and that-in
e fact everything, Fannie thought, but
= what he came to talk about At last he
, hit upon the farm He would let bis
. men carry it on fer her, if she pleased
! Just as they had done for years past for
: her uncle
e "And how was that?" she asked
' He smiled at the question as though
!. he thought it an exceedingly absurd one
but proceeded to answer il with tolerable
5 grace.
' Miss Leonard was piqued He had
' the right of it she knew. His drainage
. explanation, and loug harangue upon pas
/ turing, together with quantity Of trash
about potatoes, oats aud corn, was like
t so much Greek to her. But she listen
h ed to it very attcntively, aud bowed
k knowingly. when he finished speaking
t /" You understand, | suppose 7" he ques
q toned.