Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-03-16
From Godey's Lsdy's Book.
MY COUNTRY CLOWN.


DEAR LITTLE ELSIE: We long to see
thy CHEEKY face in thy quiet circle, and
now that summer is come, We send thee
our most urgent pleadings to redeem
that oft repeated promise to visit us.
Thy uncle bids me say, our nephew,
Herbert Grave, will be here also to as
sist in rendering thee contented. Give
our love to thy parents, and do not re-
fuse to accept our invitation. Very
lovingly, thy aunt, ~
MARTHA HAYES.
This is the note that was handed me
as / returned from drive with the
elegant and accomplished Conrad Nc
Lean
"How provokingl / will not 60 one
step." L cried, throwing the note from
me in vexation
My mother picked it up, and, after
perusing the contents, remarked, CAIN
ly:-
"Of course you will go, my daugh-
teri"
''Of course / will not Mr. Mclean
just told me he should spend the sea-
son at the White Mountains, and you
know very well could not exist with
out-without lively company"
"But, no doubt, Elsie you will find
Mr.. Grave to be very pleasant
pleasant, indeedl A great, awk-
ward country clownln
fairly shed tears at the prospect of
being obliged to spend the summer in
such company. But when father unit
ed his argument against me, WIS OBJ
liged to yield reluctant consent. Ac-
cordingly, one bright morning, found
myself ON the platform of l. station
with only my great Saratoga and little
satchel for company. L looked about
for some one to claim me, expecting to
behold an overgrown youth, still wear
ing the cloths of his boyhood, with a
broad brimmed quaker hat, and aspir-
ing red side whiskers, who
s.Trudged alcng, unknoving what he souoht:
And whistled as he went, for want of thought"
had not long to wait. Down the
road came uncle's span, driven by q
masculine representative, who must, of
course, be Mr.. Grave. And there, in
deed, were the vertiable side whiskers,
under broad brim, modified, however,
in color, being black
This is Miss Hayes, / presumed +"
The bow which accompanied these
words, though evincing embarrassment
was not ungraceful
''It is" 1 replied, "and this is my
trunk suppose you are Mr.. Grave ~
He assented. In few moments we
were off toward " Fern Dell" leaned
back to contemplate my escort, by no
means satisfied TO he deprived of Con-
RAIDS refined society, and obliged to
endure his.
True, Herbert Graves manly face, in
its frame of black Guns, did not lack
symmetry, and could imagine, with
those curious, ill-fitting clothes, ex-
changed for a more fashionable attire,
he would be comely. Yet his whole
person bespoke the country-bred man,
and to me nothing coul5 be more dis
tasteful
"Ill firt with the clown, If it's pos
sible, was my mental ejaculation.
We had preserved solemn silence
since we left the depot, and / began to
think the man as grave by nature as by
name when he turned his black eyes
on me and asked
"Haye you visited this section be-
fore?"
saw by the half hidden merriment
that lurked in those jetty depths, he
did possess irritable qualities This
gave piquance to my efforts to please.
We chattered costly as we rode along,
until his excellent language and innate
refinement showed me / had misjudged
him.
At Fern Dell was received with
open armes, deluged with kisses, and
soon made at home For few days
missed Conrad and conternptuously
avoided Mr.. Grave; but, finding this
would never do, / reused myself by
Sunday, resolved to make a stir. Ny
uncle's family were good "Hicksite'
friends, and started early to meeting.
After they had called me several times,
appeared upon the portico, robed in
dashy suit of blue satin, with other
things to accord, while outside my
glove flashed the diamond cluster,
which sealed my engagement Nth Mr.
Mclean No wonder my aunt and
uncle opened their eyes. saw disap
probation in their faces before aun,
said, my dear child, thee would have
been more appropriately dressed il
thy travelling suit. F"
On> nOs 44uCCus Il OOAlo lOt btAltin
of wearing that to church, / replied
quickly.
"Our meetings, Elsie, are fer tn,
'corship of the Almighty, and not fol
shOtc
/ felt the rebuke, and answered, i'm
patiently
"Then viii not go at at ALL If m,
wardrobe is not suitable for this place
had better go home-" 81 ZT q
"Get into the carriage, child; I an
sorry 1 wounded thee.n
Aunt Martha's tones slowed no,
pained and surprised she was Glanc
ing at Mr.. Grave, read In his eyes
stern reproof, and was heartily asham
40 aunt" cried, blushing, 'pleas
forgive that unladylike speech. l vii
change my dress this minute"
mo, dear" interrupted uncle 81
is late, and after all, If the heart i
right, it does not matter so much abou
the dress. Only Elsie, though the
may be able to Worship in spirit and i
truth, when sthus1 alrayed, remembe
thee is apt to divert the minds of thos
who are not accustomed to such thing
from better and purer meditations
Rut, come, we must be of
Never had my conscience troubled m
as it did that day. created a stir, .
/ had desired, but felt that In so doin
J made myself responsible for all th
good seed that might be lost tLat day.
j never saw any harm in persons dress
ing rs they chose, but before i quite
that little brown meeting house, | 81
knowle1ged that when tone was
Roms4it was best to do as the Roman
did. -
Upon my uncle's farrl stood an ol
moss covered mill, that had moi bee
used for many years. Strolling tbs
way one morning, l entered, and PEI