The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-01-15
'-- '''A From the Philadelphia Press.
AGNES WILLARD.
A NEW YEARS STORY,
CHATTER II.

lne lOllOWlnG Uay IOuuu Agnes WlU1 more
to do, and new, before unknown, sorrow
and anxiety gnawing at her heart. A rag
ged hat and sunburnt face seemed ever in her
mind. Between her and work came the reb.
ell brother; his brave, honest face, hot with
fury, looked up from the dishpan, the scrub
pail, and the pump Imagination still paint
ed his bare heels tearing down the road, fee
ing from the scene of his daring revolt in
desperate haste. Silently she prayed for the
poor wanderer summariy thrown adrift into
the whirl and tumult of life. She also re-
membered Mr.. Stewart; his handsome face
and CHEEKY tones echoed pleasantly IN her
young mind-a bright spot in her uneyentful
existence.
Agnes had no idea of love as great mas
ter passion only the delicious knowledge of
something new and sweet, to dream over at
will, came with the recollection of Roberts
voice. What woman cannot recall such a
memory far back in the past, when step, a
tone, gesture had power to set beating a
new pulse Of afectien-rare, strange, and
so dear; foreshadowing the mighty womans
lore, ordained of God to bless mankind
Agnes felt the wondrous charm, but she did
not once ask herself if he admired her; she
was far too simple in mind for anything so
presumptuous; she liked to THINK of him
however. Somehow it made work lighter,
and the long, ho, summer days cooler and
shorter than formerly; she could be busy all
the day, yet think of Robert Stewart
Washing, ironing, or churning, it made no
matter; she could still see his white hand
patting Pomp's shaggy coat, blushingly
scanning her own brown little digits.
After dinner, when the pressing hurry of
the day was over and the Kitchen neatly put
to rights, Mrs. Hatfield asserted that it was
q shame and sin to have berries wasting on
the bushes for want of picking, and ordered
Agnes to spend the remainder of the after
noon in gathering them.
This command her daughter obeyed with
joyful alacrity; it being one Of her few plea
sures to wander alone about the field when
chance opportunities permitted. She revel-
led in the berry season; for then che could
ramble at will free from the watcbful CHI
dings of her mother. 1t was her yearly va
cation-her little season of freedom, which,
from its rarity she enjoyed intensely, re-
gardless of scratched hands and torn dress,
the latter grave offence in the eyes of care
full Mrs. Hatfield, who considered it ample
cause for two hours lecture, dampening
somewhat Aggie's pleasure; nevertheless she
enjoyed it immensely, in spite Of these mis-
haps, the unrestrained liberty Of hills and
valleys and brooks. The waving grain, rust
ling corn, and fragrant clover, all combined
to weave spell enchanting the saul of the
rustic maiden. Her voice, which rivalled
the birds in sweet melody, thrilled out free
or wildwood plover.
Agnes found the berries exceedingly plen-
ty, and soon succeeded in filling her basket
with the delicious fruit; leisurly strolling
home through the Walnut Grove, careless Of
stone walls and fye-barred fences; easily
clambering over them, without danger to her
agile limbs, and but little damage to her
scrimp calico. rE. Sd ...
The beauty of the scene and GOODNESS of
the place acted like charm on the sad far
mer's girl, slowly wandering along the mar
row path, fringed with clover and dwarfed,
shaded daisies. itsI 3EE er Iat.
Tossing off the desPised slat bonnet, as il
it oppressed her brow, she threw herself On
the grass, beneath majestic walnut tree
With hands clasped nnder her head, and her
glowing face upturned to the blue sky,
vaguely trying to fathom the distant heaven
beyond, she burst into wild, impassioned
melody-now low and tender, now gay and
triumphant, sad and changeful, clear as sil.
yer bell; warbling like an inspired angel OF
song, she lay, with the gentle south wind
blowing over her, and the leaves lightly
stirring, as though dancing in tune to the
harmony. aua
Agnes had one grand gift, of which no one
could disposess her-a wonderous rich mus
ical voice, that charmed and astonished all
who heard its surprising volume and tone.-
She had once timidly limited wish to at
tend the village singing school, but decid
ed, emphatic ''Now from her mother effec
tually silenced the young hope. Mrs Hat
field deemed singing schools extravagant
follies, tending 10 fill chits of girls with
vanity and all sorts Of nonsense, taking theiI
minds from work--the only essential accom-
plishment of life-and the source of dea
of mischief generally. She would have nc
everlasting ''Do, la, SO, mes about HEF
Kitchen" Therefore the matter was settled
and never mentioned again. Alone with ma
ture, Agnes warbled out the pent-up music
of her soul, pnrestrasned by word or frown
awaking the solitude far and near with hel
sweet notes, until the very birds hushed thei
songs to listen.d ~ -f3 49,
Thus she lay on the short grass, under thu
trees, forgetful of brier-scratched hands anC
| faded Calico e Oiappipg her hands when thu
| last soft cadence died away she cried raptu
rously: 1a h4" '.i.' ie ill
This is mine; my ONE gift! Thank Coz
can sing my soul among the clouds, ava.
from earth and all ] hate! No one can taxi
it from me. ALL my own! Forever nina!
She laughed aloud in her joy, with radien
face and beaming eyes, lI'naai 7-gs,fa
Eyes; all your own and most gloriou
gift 1t js,", said deep, strong voice besid