Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-09-01

am gao ne 5 coming L used TO ike
| Ben ever so much
Yes, he is q very good looking young
man, | should Judge" said Aunt Lydia
Il hope you will be polite to him, Caro-
line
when Cousin Ben was thirteen, and l
ten or eleven. We had been fast friends
companions in all each others frolics aud
seedlings, inseparable generally Then his
father died, and they moved to another city.
L hadn't seen him since, and the correspon-
dence that begun SO furiously, had died out
years ago, so that we were comparatively
strangers to each other.
The idea of renewing our old friendship
was delightful, besides the pleasure of see-
ing some person from the city. He was
going TO board at Judge Minot' s-about
mile or so from Aunt Lydia sand was ex-
peeted in week | knew he would call to
see US as soon as he came, and was impa-
tient to know of his arrival. The week
passed, then a fortnight, and no Cousin
Ben, and made up my mind that he was
not coming at all
''One beautiful morning. Aunt Lydia
asked me TO go over to Mrs. Woodbury. s
for her, on some trifiing errand or other, as
Peter was busy and could not go SO putting
on my white cape bonnet. went. 1t was
half mile, but | thought nothing of the
walk. In coming home, it was so warm
that decided to go through the woods,
which lay between Mrs.. Woodbury's and
our house. | sauntered along till came
to a brook that run through the wood
where it was narroweSt, board had been
laid across for bridge-but 1t was old, and
when | was in the middle of it, the treach-
erous thing broke. The water wasn't deep,
not above my knees but didn't care to
wade it, so as | felt the bridge breaking, |
managed to jump on large stone close by
| stood balancing myself on It, trying to Gnd
= way to get across, when | Was startled by
= voice from the bushes near ME humming
a tune, and then In a moment heard the
exclamation:
Why, bless me! here's the divinity of
the place Whata charming attitude -
Whoever you are, | called oat, l wish
you would help me across here. >
It's pity to spoil such pretty pic
ture," said the voice. Still | shall be
most happy to serve you. Wait but mo-
ment."
"a piece Of board soon made its appear
auce, and was laid with one end on the stone
was standing on, and the other on the OPP
posite side of the brook
Now, then, Undine
Il landed safely, with no other damage
than pair of vet feet, AMI neat morn ing
dress much splashed ana draJ5lei
thanked the bridge maker, Who only shrug-
ged his shoulders, and said comically:
It's fortunate for NE that came along
this way. hope you will pardon me, but
am ashamed with that bri lge for breaking
just when it did.
He was just going to walk away, when
he stopped, and said
you really are not a water wrath, per-
haps you can tell me where Miss Lydia
Merrill, lives?''
The thought flashed across me, and |
looked at him again.
Cousin Ben! is this you ?''
Cousin Carrie is it possible? Now this
is 50 delightfull' and he grasped my hand
warmly. How did you recognize me ?"
By the old saucy look in your eyes as you
spoke, and by your asking where Aunt Ly
dia lives-principally by the first, though. -
Thank you!" and he lifted his cap and
bowed very lew. Il should never have
known YoU. | left you a little seragsy witch,
all angles, and great brown eyes, and now
you We grown So
Handsome, | broke in.
He laughed. mo, vain. Bat how wet
you are, you will take cold How | wish
could change into a coach and six, for then
you would leave NE carry you home. As 1t
is, will you take my arm ? and we will get
there as soon as We can.
By the time We reached Aunt Lydia we
felt as much at ease together as if it hadn t
been dozen years since We saw each other
last He stayed and dined with us. and
was charmed to see now cozily he adapted
himself to her set ways, quite taking her
maiden heart by storm in so doing. The
staid dining room hs dat rung with so much
merriment Tor many months, and Cousin
Ben and | rallied each other mercileSsly,
vet aunt never once shook her head at me,
or asked me TO try and be more dignifed.
Cousin Carrie" | interrupted, you
have not told me how he looked. Was he
tail and handsome
He was tall, Kate, but | don't know
whether you would call him handsome or
not There was decided fascination about
bis FACET am sure of that-and it was not
a common one. He had very light hair,
with just the least curl in it, while his eyes,
which were large, were dark, almost black,
with laughing archness and sparkle in them
that was perfectly irresistible. There was
most wonderful play of expression in his
face, and never saw one that could change
so suddenly and entirely as his Then there
was sort of careless elegance and freedom
in his manner that fascinates women always,
and comes only from minplipu in Socia,-