Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-05-11
From Hearth and Home
COMM THROUGH THE RYE

The girls went back to the spinister
guarded shades of Tileston, escorted
by the immaculate Dick. His tender af
sprouted out like hot-hCuse plants,
over Lottie's bruised hand, which he
bound, and bathed, and tended assidu-
ously, with poetical readings and pret-
ty sentiments for poultice; while CIV
cry body else was occupied with more
serious damages to our unfortunate
persons. AS for myself, l had forever
left those classic surroundings. That
fall among the daisies, thistles, and
milkweed was fatcd to be my gradual
ing essay.
A convalescence is a far more dan
gerous thing than "a little knowledge.'
1t is to the last degree demoralizing -
One is so exempted from all ordinary
rules and responsibilities, and given
over to an honorable laziness, deli
ciOus beyond expression. The Ro
man fashion of doing things prepared
the capital to fall before Goths and
VandaIs, and lounging over tea and
toast, alter the reclining manner OF
naughty people, does not fortify the
citadel of our good resolutions.
From the moment of our accident, Mr.
Houghton had risen in my mind above
all associations with Bruin. While
appreciated the exquisite common
sense which might prompt Mr.. Dick to
preserve his own limbs, that he might
| have them in readiness to serve the
wounded and bear off the MANNED, my
soul joyfully recognized and remem-
bered the nobility, contemptuous of
argument or common sense, which had
proven faithful unto the end, ignorant
Of what that end might be. This in
stinct of self sacrifice | know to be the
very soul of heroism, whose posses
sion entitled him to the same patent
of nobility, by which we honor the
men ''who never give up the ship
who ''die at their posts" or sing while
flames are consuming them.
After the first week, we were left
much together in the broad hall or the
shady drawing room. My sister had
come on Immediately after the acci-
dent, but was oneof those philanthrop-
lists, benefciently scattered through
society, whose fingers have q knack in
smoothing domestic roughness, and
whose memories are encyclopedias OF
useful practical recipes. She very
naturally gravitated to Aunt Ida's in.
terests and occupations, when not alb
solutely needed in my sick-room. We
kept silent, or visited with q very fail
understanding of each other. My i'm
pulsiveness and enthusiasms restrained
themselves without effort in a pres
ence which was growing to consid
er as very kind, strong, and noble
Consequently, l was not annoyed b,
humiliating memories in mentally ana
lying our conversations.
I was booking over a late maga
zine, one morning when letter wa
brought in, announcing her engage
ment to Mr.. Halsey, fact which i'm
i mcdiutely communicated to my brok
e en- armed companion, adding:
81 supposs it must be true, as Lot
: tie directly states it; but how such
consEmmation was ever more than dc
voutly wished, is a mystery, under tn
sensitive olfactories of La Tarbox.'-
l have known her to sniff filtration
Z mile OFF,
Mr.. Houghton laughed-a suddel
hearty laugh, which never failed
surprose me, was so vigorous and co
o dial.
"You will find Dick has Wake
straight into Miss Tarbox's affection
with the most innocent assurance |
rs replied. The fellow is born favo
st ite, and if he ever goes to Japan, wi
~ see the Mikado and not half try. Il
always strikes on his feet, like a cat
Did you ever know how he happenC
- to 90 abroad p
LAS other people go, I suppose: b
cause he preferred the human associ
tiOns Of great deeds to the majes
of pure nature, which is what promp
most intelligent people to turn f
. pleasure East rather than West"
''PIobably true, going below Il
surface. But l was only thinking
ways and means. Dick is a living mi
acle in the matter of luck He we
home with a college friend, who had
rich grandfather, and the old gentl
man was struck with his mor
,, and social excellence, that he sent hi
! the next year to travel with his gran
i son. 1t was good thing for Dick, w
was a siekly boy, and retains the c
look which early disease leaves. TT
voyage was a great benefit to h