The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-09-25
Selected Story.
sARAH'S HONEY BEES.

who were going, but it was all broken up be-
Gauss cause our chaperons failed us; and now with
midsummer close at hand, the city heat grow
ino intoIerable, and my trunk already packed
for a start, was left absolutely aimless. no.
where to go. So wrote to Belle, and in two
days had her answer.
do come down here with me.n she wrote
otis desperately lonely, and Pm diving for the
sight OF friend. There is actually nothing
10 10, ana no one to speak to; so yon can
imagine my state ofmind. Otherwise the air
Is iovely. the scenery perfect, and it is funny
little old humdrum village Just such as you
IKE. I've spoken to Aunt EN- about II, anu
she wants you TO come; SO hurry, do, anu you
need not bring any fine dresses, for you won't
wear them. lust keep in my camisole from
morning till night, and hum an, non gtunge,
and stare at the roses l eat bread and milk,
and go to bed at haIfpast eight. Just the
thing for you There, dear, so come, and get
recruited" sEr4 .rf.T.
l decided that should like it: SO repacked
my trunk, putting in fewer dresses and more
books, thinking Belle and conld read to each
other under the trees; and just week from
inc date OF her letter the old yellow stage
coach lelt me at the farmhouse gate It was
great, comtortable-looking house. painted
red, with butternut trees in front. and lilac and
rose bushes cut
AND there wa Belle running down the path
10 meet me, while handsome, stalwart young
man stood on the door looking after her.
Camisoles and simplicity, indeed! Bellies
hair was crimped and pulled three inches high,
and she had on her white alpaca ard turquois-
es. Dele was blonde, and she always looked
prettest in white and blue. She kissed me
on both cheeks, and then danced little waltz
ahead OF me, as walked up the path with my
travelling bag. A moment more and she in
troduced "Mr. Brooks" TO me.
My new friend. Phene --latest hut rot
leastg she said with coquettish air; and the
gentleman bowling made few pleasant re-
marks about my journey, then, with the ex-
ctlse that ne was sure we would wish tc be
alone together, he babe US good afternoon and
departed. =. .s.7.,,5 - -
b. l caught Bellies hands and made her look
straight in my eyes. ts-.
What mischief are you in now. dear ?n
asked. III .. 49, - '''"' 0''i =
.'Oh, DON'T" she cried, laughing "dont you
think he's nice? I call him my Corydon; and
81 now don't you begin to firt with him, love,
for he's my especial properiyr'
'Hum!" said 1, Il wonder what Archie
Russell would say~ -isirI.,s
Il haven't accepted Archie yet" said Belle
defiantly; "and who knows but what l shonld
like to live in the country after oil? Don't
you think CorydOn has fine ewes, Phene but
maybe you didn't notice. " -.,''--,'..
= mo, didn't" l answered, little shortly
quick to foresee that Belle and were not to
have such long, indolent, dreamy talks and
readings under the trees as 1 had imagin-
ed. FOR 11lrtations put every thing out of tune.
81. But Belle only laughed, and led me off up
stairs to the large pleasant "east chamber" that
we were to occupy together. She flew around
IN her most winsome way, helped me off
with my cumbersome dress, seated me in q
little low rocking chair, and taking down my
r. mar began to brush it for me in an old school
ruI,il ri H..
city news i--~'
By-and-by her Aunt EN- came in to see me
ana made me welcome. She was nice old
LADY, with shrewd, honest eyes. and | liked
her in moment.
where's Sarah ?" asked Belle.
on Sarah's out watching the bees,' said
Aunt EN- "We'er expecting every minute
when they'll begin to swarm. And L must 90
right away to see after the milk so YOU won't
see me again till supper's ready" !.
And away she went, fnll of housewifery
cares.
"Your cousin Sarah?p l asked, vaguely
remembering that had heard cousin Sarah
mentioned some time or other. ..-
Yes,' said Belle. "Al the rest of Aunt
Ems daughters are married, all but Sarah"
some curiosity. .-'... -
why l don't know" said Belle, laughing
ccarelessly. Yes, Sarah is good, very good in
her way. She's as much as twenty-tive years
Old; going to be an old maid, you know; and
she's good and quiet in her little way, and she
makes the butter and watches the bees. That's
all there is about Sarah. Have you seen Archie
Russell since l came away, and did he ask
about me?" r ar.. ..
So we went back to our city gossip, and onIy
finished when the call to supper was heard.
Such supper! such bread and butter! such
1ruit and cream and honey! while Aunt En-
kept up little friendly talk about her Alder
neys and her current jelly, and Sarah, with
pre-occupled air, said she was glad the new
hives had been sent up from the store that af-
r ternoon. liked Sarah, she looked so gentle,
SO little self-asserting; it seemed as if she had
grown up in her way of life as naturally and
.contentedly as the lilac bushes in theirs. and
as firmly rooted. Going to be an old maid!
Come" said Belle, springing up from the
taoleE'come, Phrene, and put some rose
buds in my hair, for Corydon will be here this
evening" almost know he WILL"
50 we went out in the front porch, while
Sarah and her mother cleared the table and
washed up the dishes. ,,'..,'7. 80.
HOW did you get acquainted with Mr..
Brooks, BELIEF" asked, as fastened pink
bud in her light puffs. =
why, you know l wrote you there was no
body here to speak to-" she answered, gayly:
and felt like wasted sweetness and SO lone
some. And wasn'tit queer he came to call
on Aunt EN- the very day after l sent nv let
ter. 1 suppose he heard somehow of my be.
ing mere: ID was away. on business all the
/ week before, SO couldn't come sooner, he said |
and now he has been here four times. and I |
think he's splendid. He isn't very easy to firt |
with, because he's SO honest, suppose; but |
! mean to have him dead in love with me be-
fore 60 home"
"And what then ?" asked. 81 should think
you'd be tired of pattino yorrc nlf int cor,,o,
Belle" 'N-"pG''
She began to sing, cob, / won't be a num-
and we sat in the door looking down the path.
What dear, old-fashioned place it was! a
ive-forever grew one side of the steps, and
bush OF isouthern-wood the other. There
were cinnamon roses along the fence, and the |
clover grew rich and deep all over the ward.
"He's coming" whispered Belle. and Mr.. |
Brooks walked rapidly down the road, appar-
entli with no intention Of stopping till Belle |
called and asked him if he wasn't coming in. |
IL was going to the village; but this is pleas |
anter," he said opening the little gate and com
ing up to US. Miss Bennett, I hope YOU are |
pleased with your first afternoon here. How |
are your aunt and cousin, Miss Rsley? i |
have not seen them to-day" i#4
"Oh, they are out in tine Kitchen said Belle.
raising her smiling blue eyes to his. l'Isn's it
lovely here at this hour, Mr.. Brooks? Every |
uay aiter tea come here to watch for the
eyening-star. See, there it is now. lust over
those clouds. Isn't Venus beautiful"
Mr. Brooks seemed to think that Venus ,yas
beautiful, and sitting down by us he appeared
quite ready to join to Bellies lively chatter and
quick repartees.i But it occurred to me that |
ne was not quite so susceptible as Belle |
Some of Sarah's honey-bees," 1 said. At |
that moment Sarah herself came through the |
narrow entry, and sat down among us with |
her knitting. She was a quiet bit of back |
ground for Bellies briiancy; only, when any |
OF us said any thing witty she laughed as if |
she enjoyed it. =. d. 4 = 4. -
The sun went down, and the moonlight |
came instead, shining white on the silver eims |
and willows. 5 49,.
i am going" said Mr.. Brooks, and he rose.
what do you say to ride on horseback, to-
morrow, young ladies'? Don't you think your |
cousins would like it, Sarah?"
Yes, indeed" she said "and it is such
pleasant road to the cliff Belle has not seen
the cliff yet"
very well" he replied; II know your two
horses are good under the saddle. and will
vi prias my brownie for the third. You had bet
Iel 1ahe brownie, Sarah; he is used to YOU.
night, ALL" """y' "oou-
!. ., And nd oil he went. We prepared to go into
she did not give me time to answer said
Sarah, IN her quiet way but have no idea
that l shall be able to go with YOU to-morrow.
And you shall ride Brownie, Belle he il lust
the horse for YOU"