National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-09-14
SOU'RE YOUNGER THAN
Ave.
By AMY GRAHAM.


O f course she does said my
youngest brother, viii, laughing;
girls always want to gOo
did want to accept that invita-
ton, so did not dispute Wills as
sertion. There was something very
4 tempting. to a city-bred girl just re-
| leased from boarding school. in an
invitation to spend some weeks in a
country farm house, and, added to
this, there was still another induce
lnent, to know'my aunt Fanny.
was mOtherfSss from my very
infancy. and | had never known my
relatives on my mothers side. Ny
father had married very Young. the
mother of his four boys. and had
been left a widower when VIII was
two years old; for five years he
mOurned truly the wife of mis- youth,
then he married a young girl who
was visiting one of his friends. and
III one short year she too died. leav-
ing me 4 pale. sicklv baby Ny
nurse was succeeded by my school
mistress, and was not at home. ex-
cept for few short weeks in the
summer holidays. until | had com.
| plcted my seventeenth year. when |
came home to remain: my father
/ providing masters in music and Ian
( guages. that | might not lose my
. time. And now. in the first month
Ot this home-lite. came an invitation
iTom an unknown Aunt Fanny. who
claimed TO he my mothers oldest
sister, and wished to have a visit
from her niece. The letter was dated
Davy'S Corner. and was directed
to send word to Woodtown, and
should find there an escort to my
aunt'S farm. My father debated the
matter for some minutes. then look
ed at my pale checks, and no doubt
sent loving memory to my mother
which opened his heart to her sister.
and said -
Pack up, then; when can YOU
be ready"
On Monday; but am | to 90
alone ::
No; Willis shall take YOU
Willis was my fathers old conf
dental clerk, who had escorted me
70 and from school in all my holiday
trlpS. So | was quite prepared for
this answer, and proceeded to pack
up immediately. Ny four brothers,
whose pet ana plaything had been
in all our holidays, were loud in
their complaints at such shabby
treatment but the country and that
/ unknown aunt were too tempting to
be resisted, and | persisted in my
resolve to 20 TO Davy's Corner. The
housekecper who had lived with my
father since his first widoWhoOd.
packed up cakes and sandwiches
enough to maintain garrison in
state of siege. and had n breakfast
that was treat for an cpicure ready
for me when came down on Mon
day morning dressed for my Journey.
Father filled my porte -monnaicl libpr
ally, kissed me warmly, and exact
ed a promise of frequent letters.
and then. Willis hinting at the vir.
tue OF punctuality for a railway
journey. | left the tiyo tail. manly
figures standing on the steps. while
drove of. ha'r doubtful already
about my anticipa d pleasure.
The journey was an cventtul one.
and on the afternoon Of the second
day we came to the little station at
Woodtown. Willis had declined
to remain there for the night and re.
turn home by the morning train. SO
We looked about for some vehicle to
take onr trunks and carpet-hags to
thc hotel. The only wheeled article
in sight was a large canvas.covered
Wagon which stood down on the
road, below thearch which had been
erected for the train to pass over.
We Were still looking diSconso.
/ lately at the little cluster of houses
below us, forming the village. when
/ Il heavy tread made the wooden
/ flight uf stairs leading up to the
I platform crcak, and a shock of light
hair, tall white hat. and a sun.
burned face appeared, followed by
pair of broad shoulders, and finally
by two very substantial feet. clad
in muddy boots, whose solcs were
about two inches thick. Heavy
corduroy trousers and gray ilan.
mel shirt made the costume of this
tall figure, and Il large riding whip
was his only weapon. He looked at
us from II pair of bright blue eyes.
and then said in very pleasant
| though loud voice -
Are Nou my cousin. Amy Graham
His cousin, All my tiniiicld board
ing school ideas, aud all the high
bed refinement of my father and
brothers. rose up in defiance of the
title. Willis, however. saw only
fine. Stalwart farmer. with Il good.
honest face. and hearty. cheery
voice, and Willis said -
Mrs. Browns sonr
Yes sir! Gerald Brown is my
name
Gcrald--my own brother was
named Gerald. And | looked with
interest ut my cousin. Oh, dear
me Before had time TO scream
or exert any other feminine defence,
thiS tall countryman put his great
hands under my arms. lifted me up
as II | had been baby. and dclib.
cratclN kissed me then putting me
down. he Shouldeied my big trunk.
aud with u steady. heavy tronu