The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-06-01
FREAR FARM.

A gray horse and yellow wheeled chais'
stood under the poplars which shaded
brown farm house
'Marg'ret'
Mrs Frear's voice went ringing up the
stairway to the east chamber.
'Yes'm.'
1t was a CHEEKY voice that replied, and a
trim little figure that came tripping down
after the voice.
Aunt Mary has COME and want you tc
go and shell the peas for dinner, while Wis
1t with her.
'Yesn,' again, as the worthy Mrs. Freal
took her basket Of mending, walked down the
path and climbed to a seat behind her sister
You see she was a cripple, this aunt Mary,
and in her weekly visits never thot OF alight-
ing from the chaise III which she came. Con
sequently that vehicle had slowed away its
chinks more general information than ever
crammed the Uranium OF any mortal carriage
since the flood 1t was III fact perfect NOV
ing encyclopedia Of births, marriages and
deaths, past, present and prospective, for the
little town of Heathe.
In it they were seated, this June morning,
two white haired women: their backs were
turned to the sun, while Dobbin cropped the
lilac twigs, munching them after solemn,
reflective fashion, quite cognizant the while
of the movement of the tongues behind him
Within doors tidy kitchen, great squares
of sunlight lying out GU the implanted floor,
and Margaret humming a slow song to her
self over her basket of peas.
Guess who!' rang out a merry voice be
hind her. and two broMD hands drew her
backward blindfold
Rut what will fDthar saU2
Nothing to me, | imagine. | left him
down in the two acre lot with Parson Sykes,
They d just begun with original sin, and
they've got to get thro' with the DEGREES yet
to say nothing of the probable fate of the
heather world. They're safe enough for the
next two hours said the young man, throw
ing his straw hat on the floor.
A broad -shouIdered, straight limbed fellow
was Arson Boise, and so tall that, as he stood
there in the low kitchen, his curls just miss
ed brushing the cross beam over head.
But mother +? again suggested the girl.
oh, knew what would become Of her,
when saw aunt Mary's Dobbin coming up
the hill They're having a rich time out
there heard my name just as | leaped
over the fence. So now, if you please, I'll
sit down, tho you haven't asked me to, and
shell peas as Precipitation, or penance or
whatever you call 1t, for my transgresslon.
He drew up achair and sat down beside her.
But, Anson, she demonstrated, Pm afraid
this isn't right
of course you are, and of course know
'tisn't. But know of something that's
worse; and that is for your father to insist on
separating us when he knows how fond we
are of each other and for no reason under
loo,,o,, I'M | an OrnhaD and Moor
say it's burning shame, begging your par
don. Margaret And the young mans face
flushed Indignantly. Margaret said nothing
and he went on:
However, it's the last time | shall troub-
lie him, or cross your scrupes again for the
present
The last timer Margaret pressed one Of
the pods with her thumb, and looked inquir-
ingly.
Yes, the very last time! Pm going away
going to California The flush had gone
out of his face, and instead was look OF
fierce determination.
California; The pod was opened and a
round dozen peas rolled across the kitchen
floor. California was long way off to her,
little girl, sitting in that Vermont farmhouse.
But, Arson, isn't it dreadful wicked
and as bad as the Hottentots most?
Don't know, I'm sure, Maggie. only
know that there's gold, and that it's great
country out there. Oh, you ought to hear
Jim Bartlett talk. You'd think twas mighty
slow work getting living off these rocks,
he said.
Il Know-but, Arson, seems to me 'twould
be better to stay III christian country, SAID
she, hesitatingly.
i declare, Margaret, you're well-ngh as
bad as Uncle John. He says I'd better steal
a horse, and get sent down to Windsor to
making scythe snaths Arson laughed his
old merry laugh. Margaret remembered it
It was years before she heard that laugh
again.
Then there was pause. The cat dozeo
upon the settee, and the tea-kettle sang out
upon the hearth.
And when will you ever come back, An
son !? asked the girl.
when ESan bring something with which
to make home of my own,' he said; anC
there was another silence.
The peas were sheled and Margaret was
sitting with her two hands folded upon thu
top of the basket Arson sat gazing at hel
with a hungry look In his eyes That little
its heavy coil of hair at the back, the long
lashed downcast eyes-he took them all il
with a look How many nights in the year.
that came after did he see in the darkness
that little figure parting the shadows COM
and go before him.
Here's something found for you, he salt
at length, laying in her hand a small sol,
cross You'll wear it sometimes, and re
,,,,. I zDouy
She did not move Only her fingers wer
like ice as he touched them, and her fac
was pale.
i must 60 now he said, rising.
Margaret stood up, leaning ag inst th
deal table She raised her eyes now aud Al
son stood looking down into them tho'
clear, brown eyes-and holding her tw
hands i'll his. :.
Don't you think you can wait for me, i
tie girIY he said. 'ltll be long while. "
shall be old men and women 10y that tim
perhaps trying to smile. Will you wa
for me until come back?
i will wait for you forever! The wore
were low and her lips were very white.
BLESS you, child! But please heaven yG
shant have to wait as long as that and
drew her closer to him.