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

was LOOKING over, the other day, little
drawer in Cousin Carries writing table
after letter of Kate Hamilton Skate
Duncan that was-that sh. had promised tC
show NE There were all sorts of treasure:
in the drsver-letters tied mp with blu.
ribbons, miniatures, locks of hair, trinkets,
and souvenirs iunumerable In turning
them over in my search, came across a
fancifui little box. made of carved sandal
wood. that looked as though it hid some
thing Of great value.
May open it, Carrie p
Yes"
There was nothing in it but bunch of
dried butterrups, pressed on piece OF
black paper.
Dear met is this all What do you
kca9 them in a box. for, Carrie?"
She took the box from MY hand. and
looked Al them thoughtfully.
There is nothing In that drawer, Kate,
that prize as much as these buttercups.
I've kept them in that box for two years. =
OF course, then, there's something in
teresting xb0ut them if they are so precious,
and thereby hangs ;ale-eh, Carrie p i.
Yes, but more interesting to me than
70 anybody else, fancy.
''Oh, no! STORIES about withered flowers
that are kept IS souvenirs, are delightful
and romantic, always, and feel just ike
hearing one now. Do teIl TIE about Them "
had to coax ever 20 long but at last she
consented; 50 PIT TIE things back into
the drawer, and dres seat close up to
Carrie, where | could watch her as she talk
ed, for she had a face one never tires look
ing at, and then she told me this story, just
a. I an going to tell it to you. -
About three years ago, Kate, mothers
alth vas 50 poor, that Dr. Field said she
must 20 to Cu6a-nothing but warmer
climate coRid help her; 50 she aGd father
went and left me with Aunt Lyiis Merrill
while they were gone She lives at Melton,
you know. had always lived in large
clty, and it was great change for me, for
Melton is about the smallest, quietest
little village that ever was, and the society,
with the exception of one or two families,
worse than nothing However, the scenery
Is IS lovely and picturesque as possible, aud
the walks and rides enchanting and The
Pond, t;hey would call it lake in Eng
Ind. 50 beautiful. that it seems made on
purpose for sailing parties So after | had
sf used to Aunt Lydia, who, like most
maiden ,lies that live alone, is rather prim
and proper in her notions, was quite
coe'ented, and when Mary came, happy"
Aunt Lydia house is 50 pleasant, Kate.
There 4 piazza in front, With pillars almost
hid with sweet brier and honey suckle. and
\ great orchard behind the house, that
when the apple blossoms were out, was
Perfect paradise and the trees all around
u, only not so many but that the house was
full of sunshine all Day"
How did luxuriate in the beauties of
nature that summer You needn't laugh,
nate IT. hackneyed expression, but it's
the Very one | wanted. almos, lived out
doors, till got to be as rosy and brown as
aHg country girl-a real nut brown maybe,
ahi 10 mistake. botanized, | went out
oerrylng; | sketched, studied, aud read, or
Pretended to sew, out in the woods or down
o the brook, rode horse back, and, when
Aunt Lydia would let NE, drove all over
'le Country round about in her light wagon,
Il ehalse Is humbug In the country, Kate,
anu should only be used for going TO meet
ing IN, as Aunt I.ydia's sasl, and finally
slL-dalEed Aunt Lydia by learning TO row,
actually.
There was one drawback to my harpi-
nsss, though: there was not girl in the
IMAGE whom l cared to take as friend,
aAl as Tor beaux-why, there was but one
IA The place Israel Parsons, aged about
forty,
One day, at dinner, Aunt Lydia quietly
remarked that Peter-her man of all work
aaa Just brought her letter from Benjamin
from the post Office.
Benjamin who?" said 1, rather amused,
the brother of Joseph?'
His brothers. name isn't Joseph, said
ny Aunt simply; it's Samuel Benjamin
AlS'eL-you know him, or used to- He's
second cousin to you.
That! Cousin Ben? What did you
say, Aun.?''
lie IS coming to Melton to stay three or
iour months, and is going to study law with
Saage Nirot while he is here. He can't
'ear the city 10 the summer. he gays. and