The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-10-07
Misttaaneoas.
DoRA's BIRTHDAY PICNIC.

would come down and join little picnic On
the occasion. went out Of my senses imme-
diately became a mere driveller next day
on receip, ofa little lacc-edged sheet of note
paper. Favored by papa, to remind" etc.
and passed the intervening period in state
Of dotase.
think committed every possible absurd
ity. in the way Of preparation tor this bless
cd event. turn hot when remember the
cravat I bought. NV boots might bc placed
in any collection Of instruments OF torture
provided, and sent down by the Norwood
coach the night before, delicate little ham
per, amounting in itself l thought, almost to
a declaration. There were crackers in 1t
with the teuderest notices that could be
got for money. At six in the morning,
was at Convent Garden Market, buying q
boaue, for Dora. At ten was on horseback
Il hired gallant grey for the occasion) with
the bouquet in my has. to keep 1t fresh, trot'
ting down to Norwood.
Isupposc that when Isaw Dora in the gar
and pretending not to see her, and rode past
the house pretending to he anxiously looking
for il, I committed two small tooleries which
other young gentlemen in my circumstances
might have committed-because they came
SO very natural to me. But oh when did
find the house, and did dismount at the gar
den gate. and drag those stone hearted boot:
across the lawn to Dora sitting ON garden
seat under lilac tree, what u spectacle she
was, upon that beautiful morning. among
the butterflies, in white chip bonnet and
dress Of celestial blne I.
There wasa young lady with her-compar-
asivs)y stricken in years-almost twsh'y, j
should say. Her name was Miss Mills, and
Dora called her Julia. She was tho bosom
friend of Dora. Happy Miss Mills b!
Jip was there, and Jip would bark at mc
again. When presented my bouquet, he
gnashcd his teeth with jealousy. Well he
might. II he had the least idea howl ador-
Cd his mistress. we'll hcmight
20, thank you, Mr.. Copperfeld! What
dear flowers ~ said Dora.
had had an intention OF saying (and had
been studying the best iormo OF words Tor three
miles) that thought them beautiful before
saw them 50 near her. But ! couldn't
manage ii. She was too bewildering. 10
SEQ her lay the flowers against her dimpled
chin was to lose all presence of mind and
power Of language in feeble ecstacy.
wonder | didn't say, "Kill me, il you have
n heart, Miss Mills. Lot me die here ~
Then Dora held my flowers to Jip to SMELL
Then Jip growled, and wouldn't smell them
Then Dora laughed, and held them little
closer to Jip. to make him. Then Jip laid
hold of bit Of geranium with his teeth, and
worried imaginary cats in it. Then Dora
beat him, and pouted. and said. "My poor
beautiful flowers! as compassionately,
thought. as II Jip had laid hold OF me.
wished he had, .|.t
.You will be so glad to hear, Mr.. Copper
field" said Dora, "that cross Miss MurdstonC
is not here. She has gone to her brothers
marriage. and will be away ut least three
weeks. Isn't that delightful?"
said was sure il must be delightful to
her, and all that was delightful to her was
delightful to me. Miss Mills. with an air OF
superior wisdom and benevolencc, smiled up
on as.
"Sho is the most disagreeable thing ever
saw" said Dora. "You can believe how ILL
tempered and shocking she is, Julia"
eyes, can, my dear !" said Julia.
"You can. perhaps, love" returned Dora,
with her hand on Julia's. Forgive my not
excepting you. my dear. at first"
Iisarnt, from this. that Miss Mills had
had her trials in the course OF chequered
existence and that to these, perhaps, might
refer that bcnignity Of manner which had
already noticed. found, in tho course OF
the day, that this was tho case Miss Mills
having been unhappy ina misplaced affection
and being understood to have retired from
the world on her awful stock OF experience.
but still to take calm interest in the un'
blightcd hopes and loves Of youth.
But nov Mr.. Spenlow camc out OF the
house and Dora went to HIM. ayipg. "Look,
papa, what beautiful aowers" And Miss
Mills smiled thoughtfully, as who would say.
"Ye May. flowers. enjoy your briei existence
in tho bright morning OF life!" And we all
walked from the lawn towards the carriage,
which was getting ready. f4
I shall mover have such ride again. !
have never had such another. There were
only those three, their hamper, my
hamper. and tho guitar-case In the ph@ton
b and, Of course, the pb@,ou was open; and
behind Il. Dora sat with her back to the
horses, looking towards me. She kept the
bouquet close 70 hor on the cushion, and