Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-10-14
SELECTED sTOnY,n
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THE BAREFOOTED BEAU.

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THE BAREFO0TED BEAU.
eyes, you ough to have your things, child
but the thing of it is, how are you going te
get 'em Dave ant got no team and pap
wouldn't let hisn 60 over that road for nc
money"
The speaker, Mrs. Stowc, was rough,
we'll drowned country woman, who had ia
ken Miss Ida Dudley, from New York, as
boarder during the summer months. With
that yonng lady she was now holding an
animated and earnest consultation upon the
ways and means available for procuring a
part of her baggage, which she had been
compelled to leave at way -side house -
And finally she got Charley Russell to go and
So at three o'clock, handsome black horse
and "no-top" buggy, with Charley Russell
in the seat, drove up to Mrs. Stowers.
That lady went out to the gate, followed
by Ida, already equipped for the journey,
and looking with some curiosity at her
cavalier.
$50 this is Charley, is it; who is willing
to brave all the horrors Of that much dread
ed road to oblige me % she said to herself,
as she walked toward the gate while that
gentleman was alighting.
She bad not time for lengthy survey,
and she saw in the keen. hasty glance she
gave him going down the garden, simply a
slender man, Of medium height.
He gave her an absorbing glance, as she
came toward him, that played havoc with
the feeling of off-handed Indifference which
she was about to manifest toward this good
| natured countryman, whom she had hired to
take her on her present errand-hired, she
thought to herself. "Mrs. Stowel did not
mention the terms she had made with him,
and am sure I will never dare to say any
J thing about money to him.
just as these thoughts were flashing
| through her mind, Mrs. Stowel turned has
| tily, and said:
s'Don't say nothin' to Charley about
payin' him he said he wouldn't take it. l
forgot to tell you y
Ida was both relieved and annoyed as she
followed her hostess out Of the gate, who
exclaimed:
"Well, Charley, you see we did not keep
you waiting"
Charley replied pleasantly, and then
turned to Ida as if to assist her into the
buggy.
| She had drawn to the side of her hostess,
waiting for an introduction to her escort
but quickly perceiving there was going to
be none giyen-it was not Mrs Stowel's
custom to attend to such small ceremonies
she stepped smilingly forward, said
some pleasant little nothings, by way Of
covering up the, to her, rather awkward
omission, thanked him sweetly for coming,
and looked straight into bis eyes with an
expression that showed she meant all she
said.
Charley was completely ravished. New
er in all his life, he thought, had he seen
anything SO beautiful as this petite city
beauty, with her profusion of blonde curls,
her laughing, kind eyes, and her tasteful
summer attire AS he assisted her into the
carriage, he felt as if she was almost toe
beautiful to touch.
"Take good care of her, Charley" cried
good Mrs. Stowel, as they drove away
"Oh, yes !' answered Charley, looking
back, laughing.
And then they were alone on the road
The afternoon was one of natures lowell
est.
Ida launched out into admiration of the
fields of corn, the grass, aud the ''crops p
this awoke responsive chord in Charley
He talked-talked farming, with an inter.
est and animation that astonished her; and
never did he have a more attentive listener
| It was something new to her to be thus
away from her city home, rolling pleasantly
along this lovely country road with this
handsome, brown companion, who was talk
ing to her, she thought to herself, just as il
she was man. except that there was tina
delicacy and Difference in his manner to hel
which men only show to women, never tt
one of their own sex and which was all th'
more pleasing to Ida, because she knew i
was not the result of moving in polished SO
ciety, and something that could be put OIL
or off like a pair of gloves, but came RICH
; from the heart; and she knew that he wa
unconsciously showing the feeling which
she inspired !; and she felt Aattered-fatter
t ed as she had never felt by the studied at
t tentions of any of her elegant city admirers
: And by the time they arrived at their desti
nation, they were thoroughly acquainted
I was going to say at ease, but won't.
The evening was pretty we'll advance
when they started on their homeward drive
The moon had risen and nothing coul
possibly be more desirable than a moonligh
drive through this most beautiful part of tn
country-with a pleasant companion, {
course:
They had passed the worst part of tn
, road-the part that pap" would not lie
his team 60 over-when they turned into
, different road from the one they came by
at can't be to avoid the stones" Id
thought, eve have passed them perhaps
: is ,horter I will ask him."
"Mr. Rucsel, this is not the road "
came by, is it ?"
"No."
lis it shorter %
"No."
"It's longer, isn't it 2"
Eyes little" he said, hesitating.
It Ida had no sooner received the answe
:. than she regretted the question. HoWeve
r IL -