The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-12-15

there was no time to write. Maill
travelled rarely to that part of tht
country. 'rhere'll be tavern ol
, something ON said to himself, II
go there and see how the land lies be
fore l make my appearance
$50 in the best of spirits he started
for his for:y-eighty hours of staging
Ah, boys, you may talk as much as
you like of the advantages of steam
but there was never any thing equal
to the Oldfashioned stage rides, when,
as in Toms case, it was in the height
Of Indian summer, and the country all
gold and misty, and the air soft and
balmy, with just the little twang Of last
'sE.gEfs frost in it to giHs-ita zest.
Four good horses and a seat on top !;
phew you'll never see any thing like
it. Well, Tom had grand time, got
to Elgin safely, did his business Mon
day morning, and the same afternoon,
just alter the sun was setting, rolled
into Westfield in farmers wagon
which he had hired to bring him over
"fhe wagon set him down in front
of blacksmith's and drove off, leav-
ing him to shit for himself. Ofcourse
the first thing he asked for was the inn
but there was none, itappeared- He
felt at loss what to do, and seeing
just then q pleasant looking elderly
man jogging past in substantial jig,
he concluded to stop him and make
some inquiries.
Can you tell me. sir, if there's
any place in this village where I can
get a nights lodgings"
"The stranger took a look at him,
and answered, Yankee fashion, with
another question:
"'You are a traveller, then?'
Yes I've come up from New
York to spend few days, and I find
you've no tavern here
New York, eh You don't hap
pen to know cousin of mine there
named Tom Somers. do your
That is my name, sir
Ahn said the old gentleman,
with a laugh, L thought 1 couldn't be
mistaken i'll your nose. It's as good
as family label all the world round.
But what on earth do you want to
find tavern for
"TOm explained.
Nonsense saidhis cousin. Jump
right in. You can't come too soon.
The girls will be glad to see you. They
couldn't say enough about You when
they came home'
" 1T you're sure / shan't put you to
any inconvenience p
Inconvenience Not a bit.
Jump right in I say. We are coun
try folks and don't put ourselves out
for our friends. You must take US as
You find US. Dittie was deep in some
furbelow or other when / came of.
but Nelly will see to you. Bless her
little heart She's never too busy to
10 any thing that's wanted, if it only
makes same body else comfortable.
$50 off they drove, and after half
mile turned in at an open gate. and
stopped in front of large, low, COM
Portable homestead. The old gentle
man sprang out out like boy. and !
opening the door, began to call in a |
loud voice, 'Dittie-Neily-girls ="
:" This way, Tom Here's the
keeping room, and there's a fire-or
ought to be. Well, Dittie, what's
the matter? Why don't you come
and speak to your cousin Tom?'
"And Tom stood and stared, for
he figure before him was very little |,
like the exquisite fairy he had been
dreaming about for a month back
Ditto was huddled up in a corner of
the hea, tn, with a candle beside her,
lap full of blue silk petticoat, upon
which she was sewing Her pretty
hair was all tucked out of the way,
and looked rough and careless. Her
dress was a sort of faded bedgown,
evidently put on in hurry. and as
she got up and shuff1ed unwillingiy
forward, there could be no doubt that
her slippers were down at the heel.
Now, children, if there is one
thing above another woman can not
afford to be, it is untidy No matter
now beautiful she is, it spoils it all.
Venus herself couldn't make an i'm
preston in an old bedgown with her
lair rumpled and her collar awry.
md as Tom stared at his lady-l love-
'ullen and mortified, and in this nm
promising guise-he felt his sentiment
or her oozing out at the tips Of his
ingess and, what is worse, it never
,ame back again. Remember that,
girls J.!
eve didn't expect you so soon,' was
Ill Dittie conld say in the confusion
If the moment
But we're very glad, causin Tom,
oined in another voice, and then he
,ecame conscious, for the first time,
Nellie had entered. She carried a
;andle in each band, and when she =
lad set them down and given Tom J
Welcome and found chair for him
nd her father, she moved about the
DOM, giving bright little housewifely +
ouches here and there-poking the ;
re to a blaze, and making.thinss look
eat and cheerful. Her dress was : :
My common print, but it was fresh q
nd spotless; her hair was as glossy !
$ satin; and the neat little collar and 7
ow of ribbon made the simple garb i
s becoming as richer material. All :
he timessshe ~as arranging the room T
he went on talking in a pleasant O
dice, asking questions about the 3
,urney, and diffusing that atmos- 8
here of home and welcome which is a
o acceptable to a stranger. a