The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-10-23
Sarah's Honey Bees.

about cape hay. 1hefe was quite Il
party Of us who were going, but it was
all broken up because our chaperons
failed US. and now, with midsummer close
at hand, the city heat intolerable, and
my trunk already packed for !; start,
was left absolutely aimless, nowhere to
20. So | wrote to Belle, and in two DAYS
( had her answer.
..Do come down here with me-" she
wrote, its desperate lonely, and I'm
! dying for the sight Of friend There
is actually nothing to do, and no one to
speak to; so you can imagine my state of
mind. Otherwise. the air is lovely, the
scenery perfect, and it's a little old hum
drum village, just as you like it. I've
spoken to Aunt En- about it, and she
wants You to come ; SO hurry, do, and
you needn't bring any fine dresses, for
you won't wear them. | just keep on
my eamisole from morning till night, and
hum AZ non Gtange, and stare at the
roses. | cat bread and milk and 90 to
bed at halfpast eight. just the thing
for you, Pheue dear, so come and get re-
crulted.
decided that should Ike it, SO re-
packed my trunk, putting in fewer
dresses and more books, thinking Belle
and could read to each other under the
trees, and just week froIa the date of
her letter, the old yellow stage coach left
me at the farm house gate. 1t was a
great, comfortable looking house, painted
red, with butternut trees in front, and
lilac and rose bushes.
And there was Belle running down
the path to meet me, while a handsome,
stalwart young man stopped in the door
looking after her. Cuinisolcs and sim
plicity indeed Bellies hair was crimped
and putfed three inches high, and she
had on her white al pacas and torquoiscs
Belle was blonde. and always looked
prettiest in white and bloe She kissed
me on both checks, and then danced a
little waltz ahead of me as | walked up
the path with my travelling bag. a
moment more and she introduced 'iNr.
Brooks to me.
My new friend, Phone. Latest bat
not least" she said, with coqucttsh
air; and the gentleman, bowling, made a
few pleasant remarks about my journey;
then, with the excuse that he was sure
we would wish to be alone together, he
babe Us good afternoon and departed
[ caught Bellies hand and made her
look straight in my eyes
"What mischief are you in now, dear?"
[ asked
.sOh, don't pinch " she cried, laugh
ing, ''don't you think he's nice? I call
him my Corydon; and now don't you
begin to firt with him, love, for he's my
especial property"
''Hum p said [, II wonder what Archie
Russell would say
81 haven't accepted Archie yet, said
Belle, defantly; :. and who knows but
what [ should ike to live in The country,
after all Don't you think that Corydon
has fine eyes, Phene? But maybe you
didn't notice"
"No, didn't" answered, little
shortly, quick to foresee that Belle and [
were not to have such long, indolent,
dreamy talks and readings under the |
trees as L had imagined. For firtatlons
put everything out of tune.
But Belle only laughed, and led me off
up stairs to a large, pleasant, s:easy
that we were to occupy to-
gether. She few around in her most
winsome way, helped me off with my
cumbersome dress, seated me in a little |
low rocking chair, and taking down MY
hair began to brush it for me in our old T
school girl fashion, while she chatted
about all the city news.
By and by her Aunt En- came in to
see me and make me welcome She was
a nice old lady, with shrewd, honest eyes,
md 7 liEad har IN nop,apf
"Where's Sarah p asked Belle.
"Oh, Sarah's out watching the BEES"
said Aunt En-. We're expecting every
minute when they'll begin to swarm. /
And | must 60 right away to see after
the milk, SO you won't see me again till /
supper's ready"
And away she went, full of housewifely |
cares.
"Your cousin Sarah 2" I asked, vaguely
that had heard cousin
Sarah mentioned some time or other.
'sYes," said Belle ''All the rest of
Aunt Ems daughters are married, all
out Sarah"
'sIs she nice and pretty p asked with
ome curiosity.
Why, | don't know" said Belle,
caTeleSSiy- es, odFau 10 Soou,
-ery good in her way. She's as much as
wenty five years old, going to be an old
maid, you know, and she is good and
luiet in her little way /; and she makes
he butter, and watches the bees. That's
III there is about Sarah Have you seen
Archie Russell since came away, dear
And did he ask about me 2"
So we went back to our city gossip,
md only finished when the call to sup
Der was heard. Such supper, such
,read and butter! such fruit, and cream,
md honey! while Aunt En- kept up
title friendly talk about her Alderneys
md her currant jelly, and Sarah, with a
air, said she was glad the
lew hives had been sent up from the
tore that afternoon. I liked Sarah, she
ooked so gentle, SO little self-asserting, it
eemed as if she had grown up in her
ray of life as naturally and contentedly
$ the lilac bushes in theirs, and as firmly
ooted. Going to be an old maid [
7onder why, for in those days had not
earned what beauty may lie in the lives
f the unmarried.