Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-08-17
GOING A STRAWBERRYING

the Dexter girls, Mary, Josie, Fanny
and Sue, were upon the broad piazza to
catch the faint breeze that lazily stirred
the leaves of the lofty elm that stretch
ed its protecting arms over the old farm
house.
GLOW stupid we all are - yawned
Fanny, throwing down her book and
desisting from the attempt to capture a
fly that persisted in lighting on her
nose. GLOW wish it would thunder
or something would happen to wake US
up"
80, goody. there's Cousin Kate
coming across the lots. Now for some
fun ~
And, dropping her work, away
scampered Josie down to the garden
gate to meet her
Kate Wylde, or wild Kate, as every !,
body called her-and it must be con-
fessed that she had we'll earned the
title-came along, swinging her hat in
her hand, as was her usual custom, her
light, elastic step showing that she was
neither troubled with corns, nor their
concomitants tight shoes. She was
medium sized girl, with a clear, bright
complexion, brown hair, and eyes about
the same color, and which do her best,
never would stay "done up like the
other girls ; but, defying the restraint
of comb and net, persisted in resolving
itself into spiral curls around the neck
and temples style of coifure not at
all unbecoming to the bright piquant
face of its owner.
"Now, girls" she said, depositing
herself upon the steps of the piazza,
and brushing back the moist hair from
her temples, "don't all of you begin to
exclaim how terribly hot it is; for one
can see by just looking at you. l de-
clare if you don't look as wilted as so
many cabbage leaves! As for me, it's
just such weather as I like it fairly
makes me grow"
And she looked as though it did, as
she sat there with her glowing cheeks
and sparkling eyes, the very picture of
health, fun and frolic.
Give come to invite you to 90
strawberrying with me as soon as it gets
little cooler. know a place where
they are as thick as they can hang, and
as red and ripe as cherries %
"Where, Kate ?" inquired chorus
of voices.
"Down in Pebble brook meadow, not
a quarter of mile from here. You
know where it is, Josie; we went
berrying there last Summer
"l es; but you know Deacon Barnes
owned it then. Squire Graves is so
cross He told Bob and the Harding
boys that if he caught them in his grass
again he'd set his dog on them"
"Humph perhaps he'll set his dogs
on me p said Kate, with a toss of her
head, 81 should really like to see him
90 it !! But, pshaw he won't meddle
with US girls. Not but that he's ugly
enough to do most anything, but he's
ashamed to. Say, girls, will you go !?
[ shall, for one for | don't mean that
all those delicious berries shall 90 to
waste for want of some one to pick
them.'
After little more coaxing and per-
suadiDg, Kate carried the day, as she
generally did, and it was finally agreed
that she was to meet them there imme-
diately after tea.
At the appointed time Kate made her
appearance, basket in hand, but bare
headed, to the astonishment of the
girls, who were waiting for her on the
porch.
where's your hat ?" was the in
mediate inquiry.
"The last l saw of it, it was going
over the DAM was the cool reply.
"a puff of wind took it off my head as
[ was crossing the bridge But l
wasn't going clear home again; l
thought that [ could borrow something
here, or else tie a handkerchief over
my head"
81 know what I'll do ~ she exclaim-
ed triumphantly, as she spied pile of
hats that Josie had been braiding "Tll
wear one Of these it will be just the
thing"
$50 will l. So will all !" was the
merry response.
And following Kate's example, they
arrayed themselves in the coarse straw
hats, very generally worn by men and
boys during the warm weather, in their
outdoor labor.
Thus equipped, with many laugh at
the transformation it effected, especially
in connection with their jackets, pro-
fusely ornamented with buttons, they
set cut upon their expedition in high
glee.
Squire Graves, the owner of Pebble
brook meadow and the fertile lands ad-
joining it, had been resident of Green
vile but few months, during which
he kept himself very secluded, turning
cold shoulder to rather oficious but
well-meant overtures of his neighbors
"to be sociable," as they called it,
There was little known in regard to his
antecedeuts, with the exception that be
was a man of considerable means and
unblemished character. On passing
through the place he had been attract
ed by the beautiful situation of a small
farm that was for sale. He bought it,
and, tearing down the old farm house,
built commodious and PLEASANT man
sion, where he lived in a solitary ssate.
with no one but his houseleeper and