Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-02
lNOrtester 4a1Ip Spp.
THE sARDINIAN PEDpLER

traveller through this picturesque region. Ii
Is perched upon the highest range OF mountain
scenery, commanding extensive views and its
cultivation is more than equal to the other
towns in the same locality. Where the fields
are not rich enough for other purposes, they
are appropriated to the goats, of which there
are large number; almost every one of the
farmers and the better sort Of peasants pos
sessing several and, in many cases, consid
cradle stock.
Altar from the din and turmoil OF cities, the
peaceful inhabitants of these mountains ply
their humble labor, without wish for greater
distinction; except that, now and then, some
perturbed and restless spirit will be stirred up
by strife or ambition, and seek a higher or
noisler lot at distance from the quiet scenes
Of the mountain villages.
"Once upon a time" there lived at Balenne
farmer, who valued himself particularly
upon his possessions. Indeed, his farm was
the best within the village he had a good
stock of cattle, productive farm, and guam.
tity of sheep, which 10 ether landlord 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 daugh
ter or peasant girl in Balenne
u
charms, and her fathers profitable estate, Lee
ona had no lack OF lovers but she withdrew
herself from their notice as much as possible
seemingly 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 a most efficient
helper to her mother The broad, farmhouse
kitchen, an apartment more constantly occu-
pied than any other in the honse, was kept
fresh ard beautifully 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 AL
Der that her daughter sgnitied 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'u husband So the girl
went on to the mature age OF nineteen, with
out having an accepted lover. She tended
her flowers, waited upon her parents, and
Performed all her duties with cheeriulness
OF temper which made perpetual sunshine in
the old farmhouse all the time apparently
unconscious Of the pain she was nflictng
upon the youths OF Balenne, or the jealousy
she was exciting in the maidens. Leona
knew well that she was beautiful. How, in
deed, could she help knowing what her mir
rOr so eloquentiy Told her, and which every
tongue about her confirmed So, she had
none of the little silly atltctation of pretend
ing that she did not know her own beaunty
but satisfied with its possession, she strove TO
keep the friends which her face brought to
her, by the charms OF her mind aud manners.
Among her most highly favored places of
:, visiting, although she did not often indulge in
this temenine amusement, being happier at
home than any where, was the house OF a
widow, whose husband had been Sandman
officer, of rather low grade, it is true, but
whose bravery in the battle in which lie was
killed would unquestionabIy have brought
him preieiment, had he lived to receive it,
Madame Rayner was a woman far above the
ordinary standard OF the Baenne families
being OF higher birth than her husband, after
whose death she retired with her only child to
this mountain village, where she could prac-
tice the economy now SO necessary 10 her
narrow income, and have leisure TO educate
her SON
Louis Rayner was a good son to his mother,
but somewhat proud and high-spirited. He
disdained the unambitious youths OF Balenne,
and held no intercourse with them whatever
devoting all his time to literary pursuits, ex-
ceptng few hours each week 10 solitary
hunting and fishing, by which he supplied his
mothers table. In fact, Louis was becoming
trife indolent, and not tritie misanthIopic.
His mother, alarmed at his scorn of such
society as Balenne afforded, took pains to
house, but he turned away from them all,
until she discovered a charm in the daughter
OF the farmer Alder, which she believed
could sooihe the pertubed and moody spirit
of her son. Very sweet and lovely was
the vision of the sweet Leona, as she came
up the little lawn before Madame Ray
ner's door. She had seen the lady
several times in the little, unpretending
library room of 3alenne, and had been intro
duced each time by some mutual friend. Each
time Madam Rayner had urged her TO call on
her, and won by her pleasant manners, Leoua
had availed herself OF the invitation. Louis,
however, had kept out of sight at these times,
until one day, Unexpectedly entering the room
where she sat, waiting for his mother, he
found that he could not accomplish retreat
without absolute rudeness. Madame Rayner
knew too well what she was about to be iii a
hurry to interrupt the two; aud when, at
length, she could not decOrously wait any
longer, she was delighted TO find, by the un.
wonted sparkle in the ey es of Louis, and the
animation OF his voice, that he was pleased and
interested i'll his new acquaintance.
The result was that when Le0na went home
to think OF the animated aud intelligent youth
who had made her morning SO pleasant,
Louis was reused TO a sentiment unknown be-
fore, and declared to his mother that he could
not i've without Leona Alder. For several
days lie talked Of nothing else. His mother
soothed him by continually Inventing ocea-
sons Tor the two TO meet; and when after u
few weeks, madame was taken ill., Leoua
was sent for, and entreated by mother and son
not to leave her. Leona promised and she
attended her poor friend faithfully until she
died. The grief of Louis was deep but noise
less, and Leona strove long before she could
rouse him from the utter depression into
which lie had fallen.
When all was over, and the funeral ser.
vices performed, she went home leaving him
all alone, 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 sadness wore oil, he
declared his love for Leona, and she, fully
recprocatng it, the matter was laid before
her father. The worldly prudence of Dame
Alber and her husband forbade them 10
throw away their daughter upon one who had
no visible means OF support but they both
liked the young man, and Alber promised, as
soon as he could furnish two hundred crowns.
he should be entitled to his daughters hand,
and third of his farm. Stung with the i'm
possibility of accomplishing this, in place
like Balenne, Louis had to call to his aid all
his forttude and strength, and even then lie
could see no hope. Added 10 his present dis
tress he was maddened with the knowledge
that richer suior was pr0ffering his claims
TO Leona's notice and although lie did not
doubt her constancy, yet he feared that the
avarice OF her father might operate untavora-
bly, for him. He left the farm for his own sol