The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-07-01
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visit, was no particular acquaintance of
mine We had met on several occa.
sions at the house Of mutual friend
during the previous winter, aud as she
was Il gay woman, full Of life and pleas
ant conversation, | was irresistibly
driven towards her by the force of her
strong, independent mind. A pleasant
acquaintance sprung up between us;
she expressed herself much in love with
her petite friend, aud the reception of
that letter inviting me to visit her was
the consequence.
CHAPTER II.
Our ride was brief and pleasant one
by rail, aud we arrived ut her house
late in the evening, tired and dusty
Alter leaving the cars at the little vii.
lase of H, we found an old fash.
ioned carryaN waiting to convey US to
her residence, some two miles distant
in the country. How well remember
that pleasant ride in the late evening,
just as the long shadows were folding
themselves away to give place to the
twilight! Occasionally the stiffness
would be broken by the distant lowing
Of the kline, as some rustic youth or
maiden was driving them home Then
the farmer, all sunburnt and weary,
with scythe or rake, went slowly along.
The sheep on the hillside, with their
soft, white fleece, and musical, tink-
ling bells, made pleasant picture in
that evening twilight, How forcibly
those elofuent aud beautiful lines of
Grey presented themselves to my mind:
"Thc curfew tolls the knell Of parting day,
The lowing herd wends slowly DER the lea,
The plowman hOmeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me-"
Mrs. Selby received US with many
demonstrations of joy; almost dragging
US out Of our to,c.Jacked car, as Frank
called it, to embrace us. She conducted
us into long, low ceied sitting room,
very sparingly furnished, with Que OF
those old fashioned rag carpets on the
floor, which supposed our hostess or
her mother had made with their own
hands In few moments We were
joined by two young ladies', who were
introduced as Mrs. Selbys nieccs. Ell.
leu, the elder, was tall, thin, square
shouldered person, clad in a dress of
many cotors, with huge waterfall orna.
ment hanging down her back. She had
full, bold black eyes, aud manner so
sufficient aud assumed, that | involuu.
tarily took step backwards. In the
next moment, however, in violation Of
all rules OF polite etiquette, (for | had
never seen her before she threw her
arms around me aud was kissing me
rapturously.
"Oh" she cried, ~ am so glad you
have come; | do love Baltimore so
dearly, aud when you have paid us a
nice, long visit, myself and cousin Fan.
nie will 50 home with you, and won't
we have good time?
Her aunt frowned at her, but it was
of no use, as she continued Enthusiastic,
and scizing her cousin by the waist
waltzed her round and round the room.
Fannie, the other niece, came forward,
painting with the exercise Of the i'm.
promptu dance, and gave me very af.
iectionate kiss. This young lady had
not the boldness of her cousin, but was
more Objectionable to me, for she had
sly, downcast look, and yet you felt that
her eye was always on you.
"She is very religious" her aunt
whispered to me; "her Bible is never
out of her hand"
thought as | gazed upon her long,
sanctlmonious face, that religion was a
terrible burden to be borne, if she was
real professor. These thoughts ran
through my mind whilst listening ab-
stractedly to Ellen's chat about the con.
quests she would make in the city, and
the lack Of beaux in the country.
The supper bell ended our couversa-
tion, aud We were ushercd into the
dining room, where we we're introduced
TO Mr. Selby, stout, robust looking
man, with cunning, sinister face; in.
deed he talked, aud laughed, and re.
lated jokes from the time we sat down
until the meal was over. | think |
never met n man who could talk so rap.
idly or laugh SO much. l thought, as |
glanced at the coarse, plain fare on the
table, that if they had expected, they
had certainly not prepared for US
Little Franks face had comical look.
indeed, as he munched his corn poue.
ane gazed fur.ively at the piece Of fat
pork on his plate.
Eat it, my boy" said mine host,
"eat it; tits the very thing for boys; ;
will make you grow--hal hal"
There was very delicate looking
supply of butter on the table, aud it was
not passed to the children. | ventured
to give piece to Frank, but received
look from our host that would have
taken stronger nerves than mine to en-
counter second time.
Caroline" he said to his wife
butter has advanced. What did Tom
get for that he took to the village?"
His wife made no reply, when he
blurted out
"Ain't got extravagant because you
have city company Mrs. May, you
should have sense enough to know that
we farmers makeou money by selling our
produce and believe butter is as profita.
Bile as anything else, these days Some
may think the war very bad thing,
but l cant say it has done me any harm.
1t has made good prices for crops; that
Is all | care for. One should praise the
bridge that carries him over; ha! hal"
ieit shudder of fdisgast creep over