The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-23
Misfellaueuns.
MY TORY.
~ J. y. STONE.


calico woman rs indiflerently rs If 1t were
Of no consequence In the world'
I'm looking for letter. said Brown
Calico. sleopily. folks been gone nigh a
fortnight now
'Takin' spell with the old man. ain,
they" inquired Mr.. Jones, evidently
finding her the most interesting OF tho
two.
Yes, but I says TO Sairy Ann
/ never heard what. went out of the
store. SD full of disappointment and dis
gust that l had TO stop and wonder which
way to turn. My rapid walk In the brac-
ing October air. and the enthusiasm of
hope that my vivid Imagination had con-
Ijured up In regard to that mythical letter,
which now seemed likely never to have a
being. had put me into state Of excite
ment that could not be cooled down all at
once. and there was no safcy-valve Mt
hand TO carry it of.
wait for the train. was my first thought
but the track looked hopelcssly unsugges-
tive OF cars in the distance. did not
care 10 sit with Mr.. Jones and be cate
chiscd respecting my past, present and fu-
turc; the mossy rock Just at the elevation
In the road was picturesque, but decided
ly cool Mt four o'clock in the afternoon !;
and wondering for the Goth time that q
forloru little country store should be nes-
tied In the midst Of so much beauty, /
toiled up the ascent wear and dispirited-
vainly wishing that could have plunged
suddenly into the Office whence the
expected letter was TO emanate, and
grasp the delinquent by the hair OF his
head, 10 bring him To n realizing sense Of
what he owed to society in general and to
me In particular.
OF course, the creature was not respon-
sible for the delay of the cars: but for at
least week had daily taken this trip OF
n mile-guite to the amusement Of the
family, who had begun 20 laugh and hint
Mt the attractions Of Mr.. Jones. whose at
fractions consisted in not having wife,
and living where men were scarce and
women plentiful. The mystery Of the
letter was not the least delightful part Of
IL; and l would not have the postmark
and handwriting seen. for fear of the cnd-
less questions and teazings about my gen.
tleman correspondent.
For was spending these golden Octo-
bcr days with friends who shared their
cares and pleasures with me. and expect
ed the same In return; but in this matter
I was an arch-hypocrite, for it was my
pet secret-broodcd over, and jealously
guarded from every approach. I had
been trying my wings little out in the
world. and IL remained TO be seen whether
1 should fall to the ground hopelessly
crushed. or soar away on cloud of fame
to some height quite unattsinable by ordi-
nary minds.
or course had been writing; and I
almost thought no one had ever done 1t
before. For n month and more / had
been drinking IN the beauty that lay
around me-the beauty of hill and stream
and changing leaves and autumn sunsets
until II seemed TO me that IL would be
quite despicable to live such life and yet
only eat and drink and sleep in the ordi-
nary way. So. in wild. delirious thirst
for fame (and truth compels me to add,
money also). / put pen to paper, with
what | fully believed to be the sudden in
spiration Of slumbering genius; and the
result was actually story! II had an or
thodox beginning, middle and end, with
hero and heroine. conversations anus
ING. instructive and pathetic. and an as
tonishing number of chapters and pages.
Indeed. was amazed at the switness
with which il grew beneath my hands,
and In my ignorance considered this an
additional Recommendation.
wrote Il by snatches. for some Of the
family were always hunting me up and
In
and had read II so often that / almost
knew 1t by heart. aimed high, and
having selected popular periodical, l
sent il OF with modest note, in which
the editor was favored with my address
and requested to send nue. n speedy answer.
That was two weeks ago, and no answer
yet.
II was too provoking. when this was
Saturday. to be told that the mail was not
in. for now must wait until Monday bo-
fore had another chance. The post Of
lice was mile of. aud WAS the only one
who particularly expected anything. none
of them would take the trouble to make n
second visit.
ANY letter p rs approached the house.
shook my head with feeling of Bit
terness rs reflected that il was harder
for me than any Of the rest. People who
30 for letters are always looked upon rs
in measure responsible for their non-ar-
rival; and rs I had the feeling myself. 1
was not surprised 10 see that they regard
cd mo as an incompetent letterman.
1 The day closed in. and that delightful
time which old.f,shioned people call scar
" candle lightingn arrived-tho hour of
the whole twenty four when 1t Is so
charming TO draw cozily up to the table
lamp and open letters. papers and books
that have Just arrived. rr.r.-
We were rather nice looking party ut
Mill Edge-plenty of bright eyes and
checks, and quick merry tongues, with an
unbounded capacity for enjoyment. Dear
Mrs. Darble. too. was SO Kind an hospita-
bic. and the open wood fire was lovely,
filling the room with dancing shadows;
but was moodily pining after my letter,
and rejecting on the base ingratitusle of
the editor TO whom had sent that treas
ured story. ..-.... ......
II do believe that's Fred y said some
one starting up. Just like him, to come
a day or too before he Is expected T!
Mrs. Darble rushed to the door at tho
sound Of footsteps on tho crisp garden
walk, and I suddenly remembered that 1
had totally forgotten the existence cf the
eldest hope Of the family, whom / had new
er met. He was always away at college
when made my visits. and lately he had
taken his diploma rs n. D., and settled in
neighboring town. This was one of his
flying visits home; and began to wish
that / bad put on my white pique. with
knots of scarlet ribbon. 1r' ..1rJ
He came in laughing. caressing aud ca-
ressed. a draught OF cold October mir fol-
lowing in his wake; and ! found myself
shaking han,ls with = tall. pleasant look
ing young man whose bright laughing
eyes were full Of misohiefand Intelligence
and whose manners were charming. I
regretted the white piouo more than ever