Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-06-15

luJO room, whose only furniture COll-
sisted of a table a rickety bedstead poorly
furnished with covering and a few brOk-
en- chairs. True a bright fire blazed on
the wide hearth, and by its light Flora
saw as in a halo, the features of her faith
ers sister. The old woman gave her no
time to collect her courage which was
fast falling; but elasping her in her arms,
cried, YOU'RE a rale st. John look Meg
at them Thiny black eyes and raven
locks. There's Stocracy for you! Don't
look at our poor place, my dear he! he !
to be sure we're come down in the world,
but Pm true grit yet"
Flora was struck dumb with the vari-
ed emotions which overcame her. This!
her fathers sister in such a hoveI! She
grew faint and heart sick and sinking
into a chair cried. Dear Aunt, I can
not talk now, oh some waterp
Run to the spring Meg! screamed
Mother Pettibone, there amt a drap in
in the house! Reel who had just come
in caught up bucket and soon return
ed with water. Katrine took from her
travelling bag some French brandy and
gave her charge a stout dram, which in
a few minutes revived her sinking spirits.
Poor bairn, drink this she said. Flesh
and blood like yourn cant stand the like
o. this.1
Flora looked up to see in one corner of
the chimney the covering figure of Il
woman who was indeed an object of
pity. Her figure was bowed, her skin
like parchment in hue, and her dingy
hair hung in a mat down her back which
was slightly bumped. The dull eyes had
a sulIen, angry look. She sat in heap
ON the floor, miserably clad rags, star
ing at Flora as she would have done at
a wild animal.
That's Meg, my dear, said Mrs. Petit
bone, she's been kinder out O. sorts for
many year, you'll get used to her,
Nobody minds Meg.
At this moment a figure of fairy bright
ness, rose before Flora and she turned
to see a young girl whose auburn curls,
fell in a bright ripples, over a graceful
form, whose blue eyes shone like stars
in this desolate place. 1t wss Kate Pet
tibone, who had just returned from a
distant farm, to which she had journey
ed to get a basket of provisions. There
is a free masOny, between the young and
beautiful and the girls mutually embrace
ed and caressed each other.
"You must excuse the looks of the
house cousin Flora she cried. Il had to
go away to get something to eat and if
Col. Hays had not been so kind, to send
a boy with me to carry the bucket, I
would not be here now. But see Mann
my, what nice fruit and preserves Aunt
Lucy sent, and a bottle of wine, a ham,
butter and eggs. I'll have a nice supper
in a trice"
The gay laughing girl, was soon bust
ly at work in an adjoining kitchen, after
a while returning to spread the table
with a snowy cloth. From some hidden
receptacle she soon produced a small
service of China and silver and re-
freshing meal well prepared was soon
ready for our weary and really hungry
travellers. The fragrant coffee restored
Katrine's equanimity and she praised
the young cook whose white lady fing-
ers looked little used to such SERVICE
Flora looked at Kate in surprise, Won
dering how she had grown to girlhood,
50 different from her surroundings.
"Lie down cousin on mammy's bed
until I clear the table and then we will
go to my ROOM"
Flora Obeyed, while her aunt began a
conversation with Katrine. We'll, he /!
he! To think Relius' daughter should
come all this way to see her old aunt he!
he! I mind the day when I was jest
sich beauty; but pve rubbed agin these
hOOsiers, till there's nOthin' left in me
but the little drap of pure blood that
flows as strong as ever, he d! he! They
all know Pm above 'em'. I've told 'em
of my big kin but they've laughed il. my
face but guess they'll believe it when
they look at he he he don't mind my
bad talkin' I've lost my speech long ago!
Ye will catch the tone of them ye run
with! Poor Pettibone! He got sprain
and was a half cripple for years and
tuck to drink. Inever come to that but
I love my pipe he he! Say, old gal
do ye smoke? ?"
81 never smoked a pipe ma'am, but
dinna refuse clean cigar !" answered
Katrine.
LA Reel! get the ole critter one of
yourn he he! I've one thing to say
and that is, L never spilled my hands
washing dishes and rubbing clothes.-
Meg takes after me. She wont work,
and never would. She was as purity a
gal as you ever seen afOre she got that
fall, but sickness and misery has turned
her yaller and took the life Outen her, he!
he!U
Flora had fallen asleep, listening to
her garralOUs old aunt. Kate touched
her lightly and leading the way con-
Quoted her guest across a short hall into
a room whose air of comfort was both
surprising and cheering. A brussels car
pet covered the floor, a French bedstead,
divan, wicker chairs, many articles even
luxurious completed the furniture.
Don't think 1 am selfish cousin laugh
Kate, but my having this room so, is
all owing to Fannie who gave me this
furniture last summer, you don't know
how often she has deprived herself of
her own private allowance to sendmam
my money to furnish a room for herself
and Meg, but it would always go for
nothing you could see, and as / have
young company to entertain sometimes,
I must have better place. You won't
blame me when you know us better.
II am too weary to blame or criticise
anything said Flora.
The following morning Flora arose re-
freshed and quite herself From long
account, related to her by Kate she soon
comprehended the situation of the fami-
ly. A year after his marriage. Mr..
Pettibone injured himself so severely i'm
some of his performances that he was
unable to continue in his profession.
Having a tract Of land in Indiana, he