The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-08-20
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 20, 1869.

Cousin Sade!" exclaimed Belle, joyously
THAT is just what wanted. oh, how
shall enjov riding with my handsome
Corydon! Promise me not to interfere
Phene."
Sarah gathered up her work silently
and went into the keeping.room where hel
mother sat. But Belle and went up into
our own room, took down our hair, anc
had q comfortable talk.
81 like your cousin Sarah, Belle"
said "she Is such q harmonious person she
don't jar on any ones feelings"
"Oh no, of course not" said Belle; "Sa'
rah is good little thing. and have quite
an affection for her. But she Is gray. DC
you know what meanp Some people
seem gray all the way through-all mon.
otone on minor key-no warmth, no
sparkle in them; nothing to take hold OF,
Sarah Is that way; / never think about
Sarah-there isn't anything to think about
her."
And Belle, with her shining blue eyes,
and hair rippling in waves all down her
shoulders, sprang up and danced about the
room like bewitched Undine.
81 feel SO full of life!" she exclaimed,
stopping breathless, her cpeeks rosy.red.
''And I'm tired, dear; TIM going to bed"
i replied, feeling more and more the after
fatigue of travelling.
The next day was lovely, but felt still
tired and had a headache. 1t seemed to
me that to ride on strange horse that day
would be intolerable, and I told Belle /
would stay at home If she did not mind.
"No, dear, don't mind" she said gay
ly. "Corydon and / can have good time
all by ourselves"
Corydon came riding up to tho gate pres
emily, leading lady's horse by the bridle,
and Belle ran out to greet him, then flew
up stairs to put on her pretty blue riding
habit.
"But where are the other horsesp" asked
Mr.. Brooks, looking surprised.
.'Oh! Sarah and l arc not going" / said.
"She has to watch the bees, and am not
well enough to ride to-day,so / shall keep
her company"
Mr.. Brooks actually bit his lips, and
looked gloomy.
"Why, Phene Bennett" thought to
myself. "have you made n conquest al
ready ? 1t can't be the man Is disappoint-
ed because / am not going" In the in
slant another idea struck mo, and looked
around for Sarah, but she was up stairs
making beds. She came to the window
when Belle was ready to mount. Mr..
Brooks scarcely noticed her, but assisted
Belle with the greatest care. paid her n
compliment on the way she held the reins
in her tiny, gauntleted hands, and then n
way they rode, Bellies merry laugh float
ing back on the air.
went up to our room and tried to read
n little, but the scent Of roses and of new
newly-cut hay stole through the window,
and the blue-birds and robins were sing
ing, so that / was soon glad to lay down
my book, for It was better to be quiet there
and receive rest into my soul. / heard
the bees humming and buzzing among tho
flowers. and wondered II Sarah was
watching them.
81 believe I will 60 down and study In
to the nature of gray" I thought, sudden
ly and on the impulse went.
you'll find her right out by the back
door, under the apple-trce," said Aunt Em,
when inquired after Sarah.
So went out exploring. I can fairly
see it now, that fine old yard with its row
of fruit trees and the little garden in the
corner. Under the trees stood the hives,
ten in a row, with the bees coming and GO
ing full of business and excitement. And
near by sat Sarah with her work in her
hand, in her quiet, contented way, SEEM
ing natural part of the sunny morning,
the bees humming, and the sweet mir.
ITO begin WITH" thought to myself,
'.you remind me of Isaac Walton and his
book, where he describes the meek who
inherit the earth. You arc inheritinS this
morning. So far gray is good"
"An end of this bench Is all l have to
offer you. Miss Bennett" said Sarah; ''But
won't you sit down?"
Don't call me Miss Bennett-Tm Phe-
me-" / entreated. "Yes, I'll come there
in minute; but want to look at the gar
den first"
For delight in old-E,shioned gardens,
and this was Just after my own heart. The
beds had old-fashioned pinks for borders,
that double kind that fall apart, too fragrant
to live. Gillyilowers double and sweet,
poppies like great quadrupled roses, ANA
ranth and bottles" marigolds and peo-
nies; sweet-peas and larkspurs there were
in plenty, and bed OF mignonnette.
Early asters were in bloom, and the chrys-
anthemums were just beginning to bud.
Then there was useful bed, all sweet and
bitter herbs, and 1t seemed 50 good. Law
ender and sage, rue and saffron. and q
dozen stalks Of spicy fennel. l like peo-
pie who keep such gardens rs that right
along from year to year; they seem to
mean so much more than snowy city gar
dens with hired gardeners.
l pulled sprig of hearts-easc, and
went back to Sarah.
What makes You have TO watch the
bees all the timep" asked.
They are Just ready to swarm" she said
in n tone that showed her interest, "and
we have to watch where they go, or we
may lose them. They might fly to the
woods or to some other farm.
"Pretty little brown things, aren't they?"
said, after observing them moment.
"Yes, indeed. Brown all busted with
bronze. And such busy, cheerful little
creatures. Ialmost feel MS If l knew them
apart, and have names for some OF them.
There's Dot now" she said, rs tiny bee
poised itself an instant on her arm. and
then flew off to the clover.
"Why. how splendid! / never knew
you could make pets ofthem!" 1cxclaim-
ed. "And here you sit these pleasant
days, getting the very heart of the sum
mer into your heart while Belle and
rush from place to place, and get dizzy
and tired, and don't know what we are
about"
"Oh no ~ she said smiling. "Just
think how much you can get from every
place you 90 to. l went on u journey
once to the mountains, and l remember
every height, every tree and cloud; and