Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-30

is solid rock But youth Is SO wise, and
its wisdom is such foolishness
At last. just when Mother Chestnut went
out with her pigs pail, and Eliza Oranpe
parted from her friend Milie, under the
maple tree, and walked along the quiet
country road with wet checks and a suffo-
eating weight at her heart, Frederic Chesh.
hunt jumped up, threw on his hat, and went
out with his hands in his pockets, like
man resolved.
The next dag he went out again at,he
same time-just after the close of Office
hours-and the next day, and the next
Then the look of dogged determination
that had been clouding his face cleared
away like fog before sunshine, and he got
to whistling at his work and buying new
neckties.
'-Ds you know, Aunt Betsey." said his
laudlady, Miss Halsey, that | am conf
degt young Chestnut is really in love this
time 2"
Miss Haisey was spruce little spinster
with as many wrinkles as loaf of beard
just ready TO go into the oven, and bread
enough to quite set up y5uth OF moder-
ate ambition. She was as great snuff tax
er, and as great a talker as Aunt Betsy
herself; and she trotted in, puck cred
and spry, upon this morning, with eher
snuffbox and her tongue. to talk over things.
There is cue certain sure sign, Aunt
Betsey don't you know it? Writing
po'try, DR. Watts wrote beautiful poetry,
and he couldn't have dope it if he hadn' t
been in love. 1t was Miss Rowe, I've
got book and it tells all about it, sal J
she, solomnly, and with dive into her deep
pocket for her snuff box, corresponding
withihe impressiveness of her tone. Love
is very inspiring, and they are apt to write
it when they are in love. ] sawit when |
went to neat up Cheshant' room this morn
ming. Po'try, sure enough, capitals and all;
there it iy on he table, wrote out in a
scholarly hand, with beautiful fourishes.
aud his name on the end in full. hand some
as print. So | suppose | have as good as
lost Il boarder, and first-rale one. -
Miss lIalsey, snutfed, and nodded. and
winked, and sighed, aud suuffcd; divided
between regret at her own loss and maiden
ly delight over a love story.
The same day Father Che shunt, after fol-
loving up stairs and down stairs, in my la-
dy' chamber, found my lady at the pen Of
her pet pig. with pail of water and shin
gle washing his face.
"Wel, mother, have got news for you,
said he, throwing out his words all in heap.
Got letter from Frederic and lie says
he is coming home to spend the week cnd
with his wife What do you think of that? p
You don'ti' calculated Mother Chcs-
hunt, dropping the shingle just when the pig
had laid his head in the most convenient
position. shutting his eyes and putting back
his ears in luxurious satisfaction. A new
shingle, too, nicely smoothed aud slarpened
Yes do, affirmed Father Chestnut
dou5;fully That is what Frederic says
iii, wife What do you suppose he has
got for wife, mother?''
"Weil, the Dudgeon girl, most fikely,
returned Mother Gneshunt, with weak at.
tempt at cheerfulness. Bat whoever she
may be, father, she will be Freddy's wife
and We must treat her like a daughter,
Then she went inun1 put some yeast rls
ing for an election cake that should be fuller
of raisins than of -four; and frosted like
Mount Washington in winter.
Week end came, and just at country
tea time covered buggy drove up to the
farm house with floating Ct stone brown
drapeIy ribbon ends, aud the light folds o
a veil, showing at the side.
Mother Uheshpnt sighed swallowe ,smil
ed, and came to the open door with wild e
open arms, ready to take Freddy's wife
whoever she may lie, clio e to her warm heart
Here we are, mother. Here am |, and
here is my wife" said Freddy, joyfullv, a
bridegroom should, jumping from tn,
carriage, and holding his hand to his mother
Then he turned back with a tendere
touch to take out his wife. There was fut
ter, a soft ruffie, and little spring and thei
throwing aside her veil, there stood Eliz;
Orange, smiling and blushing like who'll
garden of roses.
you dear creeter!' exciaialed Mother
Chestnut, catching hold Of heg and begin
ming to cry.
81 was trying to bring.my mind:to tha
Dudgeon girl, Freddy, and Eliza face wa:
such a blessed surprise, y said she, followin.
him to the barn, presently.
She spoke with an air Of apology, bu
with snch evident relief that Freddy laughed
the light hearted laugh of happy man tt
whom every thing is one drop more in a cuI
of joy.
1T might have been that Dudgeon girl
mother, only for you, he replied.
ME, Freddy didn't say a sylllble.
wouldn't. l never believed in meddlipg ii
such matters, she replied, Indignantly.
"Oh mother! You said, Bring Elizi
next:time, you know you did, And so just t,
please you, have brought her, returned
Frederic, gayly; land, mother" said he
coming closer, and speaking lower, "Eliz;
and are very thankful to you for helping
us over fools bridge We should never have
crossed alone.
The mother smiled upon her son as they