Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-03-27
OLD SERIES.

Ralph sat in :he large south room Of his old
farm house. before n cheerful. open wood
fire, read the Farmer and some choice
books. among them. the old one he mem
toned to his irieui Tom Burton. and felt
content with his lot. Not exactly content,
either. Something was wanting His sis
ter and aunt were all well enough, kind and
affcctionaie. intelIigen, and sympathetic.
but still. Ralph could not be said to be con-
tent. lie woald read and muse some go
out and feed bis cattle-two cows and two
young heifers with oil "sorrel, 3" constituted
bis entire stock. We may as we'll say that
there was a picture bud away down deep
in R,ph's heart, which though out Of sight
TO the rest OF the world, was often "in
his eye While he was clerk at Tape g.
\ ar,lstick's there had come into the store.
one day. Young lady who had "iled his
eye II was not the richness or style of
her attire, though these were hultless. but
it was the quiet beauty OF her sweet face.
the unconscious grace OF her own peculiar
sell, which had anbrotyp ed itself in his
heart. She came and went. no one else
seemed to notice her, and no one knew who
she was. and R,Iph forhore to press the
matter Tor fear OF remarks
Ralph had made up has mini that. IL an
opportunity offered, be would take meas
ures for improving his stock. aud add few
sheep by way of experimen, upon his farm.
While he was linking the subject over, one
day. his eye iel! upon an advertisement, in
the Farmer OF sheep and rattle for sale the
next day IN I toSn not IN any miles distant.
The next morning he pu, on rather better
than every day suit, shaved. and put on a
collar and cravat little better than usual
though Ralph never thought it necessary
To go looking like "sancho, )" because he was
only 4 flr,uer-ind. hi,ching old sorrel TO
the sleigh, set off to see what could be
gained At the auction. He "a little
money 10 spare and more hay than his
present stock could consume. and il IN alters
were favorable he made up his mind to
buy.
Arriving at the place OF silc he soon
found that neither the stock or the prices
suited him. While observing the sale, he
fell into conversation with an elderly gem
tleman upon farming. stock and so forth, and
soon discovered that he was thoroughly
posted in all the branches of the business
and very inycniouiy made known to him
bis situation and designs. The gentleman
seemed to take an interes, in his affairs. ard,
as neither were interested in the sale. he
asked Ralph to 60 home with him TO dinner
anl take look at his sheep aud cattle, that
he might find what he was in plrsuit OF with
him, as he had more than he cared TO winter
Ralph very readily consented. aud unhi,ch.
ing their horses, they started of.
After riding halls dozen miles or so. the
stranger, who had gwen his name TO Ralph
4, Mr.. Proctor, reined into the yard OF a
tidy, welI-to- do looking but not snowy farm
house. with the barn anil out buildings IN
real model farm" style. This is COM
!ortable. Life in its true sense and proper
dignity" thougbt Ralph. Mr. Proctor gave
Orders TO the farm hand who was chopping
wood in the shed. to rub of both horses
blanket and feed them then led the way
into the barn which was the most perfect
Ralph had ever seen. From this they went
INTO the yard wh ich was large. and divided
into three parts. one for sheep. one for
youn. cattle and one for cows and oxen
Here Ralph saw sheep and catt lc that even
surpassed his ideai While they were en-
gagged IN viewing th c cattle and sheep ,su n
mons TO dinner came for them. Tho same
'ly, complete and comfortable air reigned
IN the house, only even "a little more 20 -
Laying OF their ovcrcoats and muflers in
the hall. for IL was a very cold day. Ralph
was conducted into n large, cheerful looking
room, where sat Mrs. Proctor. a most admi-
rsble maiton OF fny or so. who received
Ralph with IN air viii ID at once exhibited
familiarity With society
"Where are Frank and Nellie? ?" inquir
Ell Mr.. Proctor.
They took their dinners to school. to-
, day. They said it was too cold to come
B. home. .he replied with a smile.
a very wis., conclusion. J." said Mr.. Proc
, ter just ,ben young lady stepped in
, from the dinner room MY daughter Jul
} ia, Mr.. Crayton" ," said the father. Their
} eyes met. and for n m oment both stood as
II turned to pillars Of salt, and Ralph's self
possession nearly deserted him. but he sue.
cceied in performing the usual salu,ation 3
with some degree of credit Here he had
thus unexpectedly met the original Of that
picture which be had carried in bis heart
anl from the look tha, bad met h, own.
he felt assured that bis own oountenancc
wss not entirely stranre 70 her III. aunt