Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-03-20
THE REPUBLICAN.
THE FIRE.


ly American, and harnonized SO sweet,
with. the delightful scenery No! it hadn'l
fiat root on. nor portico; nothing Of the
Kind. But then it had rose vines running
all over the windows. and whole colonies
Of wreus thar built their nests and sang be
meath its caves. TO the right was field
Vf clover. rel with blossoms; on the left
was an orchard. whence every wind scat.
tered snowy shower Of bloom; 10 front
was-.a green lawn. shaded with some mas
sise walnut trees. and to the rear opened q
large grassy lane through which the cows
walked every morning to their pasture be-
yond. and returned by the same way at
night.
knew we'll enough to whom this cot
tage belonged. 1t wasn't school teach.
81. aor preacher. nor an author--no such
thing' Il Was built by the hand of him
who owned it aad lived in it. and / had
always admired his excellent taste in blend
ing the useful with the beautiful. though |
bad never seen him. mr. visits having al
wars been made to his wife. and during
bis absence. | had heard Of him. thong h;
beard enough to make me intensely curious
10 see him; for r ot 3 female tongue in the
neishborhood approved of his wife's
choice.
What IS the matter with him." ask
ed: els hs immorsi?''
=. Not that know Of" was the rejoind-
sr: "but to tell truth. Dolly. he's sufficient
ly ugly-his face is all SCARED and cica-
tried. I should thiak by FIRE. aud you know
Il always makes me nervous to look at any
thing of the kind"
Poor man Perhaps he got burned in
rescuins some child or feeble woman frcm
the Aames,'' | said.
Don't know: never heard never made
inquiries; you know they only came to live
10 AIS neighborhood last Summer, anu
never dare ask her what disfgured him.
bat ] wish you would. o., should like
TO know"
am considerably acquainted with Mrs
Winslow." | replied; II though, of call
ing on her this morning: perhaps she will
tell ma without my asking" - xer
DO, that's dear good Dolly"
And did. 80
The whole atmosphere seemed reiolent
with music and fragrance; couidn'ti tell
why all the birds had taken it into their
heads to sing, MARBLE. and build their nests
there; and | didn't know why it was that
the MOSES. .buttercups. vioiets. and daisies
should prefer that place to any other; but
they seemed to. Judging from the profusion
in which they grew.
The whole prospect was delightfully."-
.ruTal and picturesque. and over all linger-
sd an irfiuence ofarsamy quietude and re-
pose. s5ai51si ~
A narrow footpath. crooked as footpaths
slwaysare. wound along through the lawn.
beneath the shadows Of a giant walnut. and
by this approached. entered the little gate.
and assembled the gravel walk. bordered by
beds Of flowers. to the door. 1t was open.
end went in. f8
Alone-s serene and peaceful hush rest
ed within. The balmy wind nestled in
wreaths of snowy drapery hanging at the
window. where great white and red roses
bowed their graceful heads. and the warm.
rich sunlight came in, and lay in bright
bars of radiance upon the floor.
Not quite alone eithev-a cradle was
tbsss. snd it required no conjuring to tell
that the cradle had an nmate-a self dig
ni6ed, thoughtful, imperturable littlebaby,
whose quiet calmness could not quite un-
derstand. 1t was wide awake, and its great
blue eyes were staring with infant persis-
tenee astonishing. 1 couldn't tell what;
'{lea they turned upon me. and ! returned
the gaze But It made no difference; the
baby had not a foul or evil thought to hide;
it was not conscious OF sin IN word or deed:
hence there came 20 blush to that delicate
lyrounded cheek-no falling to those calm.
quiet eyes. limpid as lake in summer. Sc
rene as the heaven in June.
There was q rustic and flutter of mus
lin. the sound of light. springy step. the
glimpse of fairy form, and Mrs. Wins
low stood before me. She was not very
beautiful. but sparkling and vivacious.
with glow Of health on her cheek and its
light in her eye.
The baby had reused up now. to be sure;
10 more of thoughtful serenity. It's little
form fairly Huttered with joy; it laughed.
<s1apping its dinpied hsnds.
You've come to stay all day with US,
02XU0 = YOU anu D&Oy tf8u S0(n 50o<ls COiIt-
.pany while mamma was gone, hadn't it?''
she said. in light chirrupy way that sci
of the little fellow with renewed delight
Her invitation had only seconded my de-
sigps. 90. removing my bonnet and man
tilia, while shs set down on the rocker and
took the baby. we prepared to enjoy the
day and each others society.
/ cant tell what we talked about. No
It wasn't of balls, nor operas. nor lions,
u4r sights No; the in6rmities of the cler-
gyman were not shown up. No; not .
morsel of private scandal was cut or carv.
cdr Bat the time few swiftly and pleas.
sntly after dinner. and when the greal
round sun Was sinking behind trees thai
burned and glowed in the rich. warm light
she came to where was sitting. and. with
out word. laid portrait in my lap. I
was that off noble looking man. with mos
expressive and faultless features
my husband Is he was" she said. will
Sigh. ssYou have never seen him."
replisd 10 the negative. - -
s.Itis Almost time for him to be here,
she continued. "You will stay with u
this evening"
= II replied that should be happy to form
his acquaintance, and looked at his por
n>>$& ~ #-4E 44r