The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-10-12
ONLY A COUNTRY GIRL.

moral, full of natural poetry, tender
hearted, graceful, unspoiled by admira-
ton, guileless, simple, loving crea-
turei
"Of," said Fred, laughing, ''choice
collections of virtue and grace; country
beauties are always sweet, and SO are
country cows. No, I tell you, if she
was as lovely as an angel, with the best
sense ir the world, still, if unskilled in
music and literature, with no soul above
churns and needles, I would not marry
her for fortune"
"Ha! har' laughed Helen Irving, but
it was very pianissimo laugh, way down
in the corner of her heart Hidden by
the trunk of very large tree, she SAD
reading within a few feet of the egotist.
In another moment the young lady came
in sight. Fred's face crimsoned, and he
whispered with visible trepidation:
"Do you think she heard me-
No" rejoined the other audibly, she
shows no resentment, she has not even
looked up from her book-you are safe;
she could not have heard you; but what
an angel she is!'
Yes, Helen was an angel 50 far rs out
ward beauty might merit the enconium
She sat half reclining on 4 rustic seat,
striving to smooth ont the dimples in
her checks as she laid her book aside
and began to twine an unfinished wreath
Of roses.
Leaning on one white arm, the gnarled
white oak tree back ground, flowers
strewed around her, peeping from her
white dress, she sat quite at her ease, ap-
parently unconscious that two handsome
young gentlemen were so near her
Approaching with low bow, upon
which his mirror had set the seal Of fault
less elegance, Frederick Lane took the
liberty Of asking if the young lady would
please inform him where Mr.. Irving
lived.
With an innocent smile the beauty
looked up.
"Mr. Irving, the only one IN the vii
lage, is MY father" said she, rising in a
graceful manner, ''the large house on the
high ground, half hidden by trees and
thick shrubbery, that's where we live
l believe it was all academy once, that's
a sort of select school, isn't it?' with
the most natural simplicity, turning to
Fred
Hereplied with another very graceful
bow.
"Tell your father" said he, "that /
shall do myself the honor to call on him
tomorrow. lie will remember me, Fred
erick Lane"
Eyes, sir, will tell him for YOU" said
Helen, tucking her sleeve around her
pretty arm, and making rather formal
courtesy. Then catching up her book
and gathering some flowers, she hurried
home
"Now, father, mother, aunt and sis, "
exclaimed the merry 9lrl. bounding into
the room where the family were at sup
per, $50 sure as you and | live that MIR.
Lane is in the village. He will call here
to-morrow-the first specimen Of a city
beau, (as of course he isl all sentiment,
refinement, faultIess in kids and spotless
in dickey, important and selfassured as
one Of the kind can possibly be. Prom
ise me, all of you, that you will notlisr
one word about music, reading and wri
ting in his presence, because l have q
plan. Father will not, know, but il
you, sis, will keep quiet and ask nc
questions, ! will give you the work-bo
you have coveted so long"
"Helen, you are not quito respectable,
said her father
"Forgive nc, dear father" and he,
arms were around his neck. - always
mean well, but am thoughtless. There
all is right, now," she added, kissing him
lovingly on the temple.
"Come, Sis, what say you?'
"Why, ON that condition, I'll be a:
still as a mouse; but what's your rea
son?"
,"Ah that's my own business" sale
Helen dancing out Of the room.
x X K
Helen sat at an open window, through
which rose bushes thrust their blushins
| buds, making both sweet shade and fra
GRANGE. The canary overhead, bursting
forth every moment in wild snatcheS o
glorious music. Helen was at work OF
a long blue stocking, nearly finished, ,an(
her fingers flew like snow birds.
"You knit most admirably. Are yol
fond of it ?"
"Yes, quite. I like it better than any
thing else-that is, l mean | can churl
we'll"
"And do you read much - Fred
glance had travelled from the corners o
his eyes to every table, shelf and corner
in search of some books, but not a page
or leaf, yellow or rare, repaid his search
"Oh. yes, sir" replied Helen, with
sanctifed air.
"What books? permit ME to ask
Il read the Bible a great DEAL" sh
said gravely.
''Is that all z"
| "All! of course not; and do we no
find in the Bible history, poetry, romano
--IuS ulOSG lui ming l't'uilOS bAoouiLi;
and recollecting herself, she added wit
a manner as childish as it was befor
dignifed, 'as for other bookshelf me see
I've got in my library-there the prim
er, Second Class reader, Robinson Cru
, soc, Nursery Tales, Fairy Stories, two O
the elements of something, Biograph
of some person or other, Mothers Mag
azine, or King William III. There,isn
that a good assortment ?"
Fred smiled.
Perhaps l don't know as much a
those who have been to school more,
she added,as if disappointed at the nut
, rejoinder, ''but in making bread, churr
: ing butter,and in keeping house, I'm nc
to be outdone." :"
The young man felt more in pity tha
, in love, but his visits did not always S
' result. He began to feel a magnetic a
traction, and he mainly attributed it
Helen's beauty, but the truth is ht
:, sweetness and artlessness of characte
engaging manners and disposition, quit
! won the city bred aristocrat, Fred Ian
There was a freshness about everythiu
she said or did. She pcrplexcd as We
as delighted him.
nc4o.. 49,. 1 ....z. .--oxl a,;,,,r b<,r CON