Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-04-20
where have you seen her?'

wv here have you seen her!
We'll, You know she lived near
Springfield, with her uncle, only ten
miles from here, six years ago. The
first time was here after your mar
riage, while riding round the country.
l came upon this same paragon Of
yours, saas shoes and stockings,
working in the bayfield,, Ia Maud
Nulier; but without Maud Muller's
grace and beauty. Well. three years
ago You remember, after my return
from Europe | was here some time.
Strolling that way one day, came
across her again; with shoes on this
time. but holes in the toes of them
displayed to the admiring passer by,
blue stockings, just think Of 1t ! blue
yarn stockings, ugn. You need not
laugh there she was with hammer and
nails; mending the garden fence and
now find her an inmate of my exciu-
| sive sisters parlor.'
oh. Jack YOU are a. sensitive ia
/ regard to female attire as ever, and
| you know you are too prone to judge
by first appearances. A worthier in-
mate could not grace my parlors than
| Kate Hadley, say what you will. When
/ you first saw her, she was a mere child
of fifteen; and working in the hay field
was not the hardest labor she was
obliged to perform. | have heard she
was a perfect drudge there for four
years. An orphan cast upon their
bcunty-thev did not spare her and
after her aunts death, she took the
| responsibility of the household Oh her
1 young shoulders. She must have led
hard, loveless life. devoid Of sympa-
thy; for Old Adam Gray cared for
naught but his gold and lands. but she
worked faithfully for dutys sake, with
no appreciation or encouragement. I
am thankful her lot is easier now.
| After old Adams death, il was found
| that he had willed her one half of his
| property | hope her trials are
over. |. for one. am proud to call her
| friend"
I'VE sis, YOU really wax eloquent
over your subject, and make her quite
heroine in real life"
(Which she undoubtedly IS, Jack"
And here our conversation was in
terrupted.
After dinner | strollcd off to the
woods, and in trying TO cross the brook
lost my footing and splashed in like
great turtle. | wended nv way back
considerably cooled, ard stole quietly
up the back stairs, intending 10 reach
my room unseen, as by the noise and
laughter below | perceived the party
had returned. But woful to relate
As ! WAS stealing noiselessly along.
just before | reached my door per
cclvcd leaning against the balcony
| railing young lady had never seen
| who seemed chiefly occupied just then
| in counting the patches or mud scatter
ed lavishly upon my garments and
face. while an amused and rather sar-
castle smile graced her features. Now
| | did not relish that at all. for am
very particular (or rather was in those
| days) concerning my own personasap-
| pearance and no one of my acquaiut-
anccs ever saw immaculate Jack
Hinton" in such plight before. Disap-
| peariug within my own room with
| rather more haste than grace I've no
| doubt, | proceeded to make myself
| presentable; /; after which glance in
the mirror tended somewhat to calm
my rui'lsd spirits. OF course in the
parlor was heartily welcome among
then-they all being friends-and per-
ceived To INV relief the strange lady
was absent. But she came in with
Ncttic just before tea, and | was form
| ally introduced To Miss Hadlev," and
to my utter surprise, beheld her
lovely Young lady, with the most be-
witching ewes anu mouth ever saw,
and such hair crowning her beautiful
head with its own glory. Sister Nett
saw my surprise and enjoyed it; but
she could not have known why Hush
ed at that same peculiar smile had
seen on the balcony but we glided in
10 quiet conversation for the few
minutes before tea. At the table she
sat opposite, for | of course handed in
my old pet and playtellow. Sue Edger-
| ton; and after turtivelv studying her
| face, | allowed even | could not find Il
flaw. perceived in the course of the
evening that Kate Hadley was q favor
itc with all, As well as Sister Nettie.
Day after day brought its pleasures.
| | flirted with the girls as usual, and
probably would have with Kate, but
there was certain something's thus
far shalt thou 80 and no farther sir
about her which forbade anything Of
the kind. l could not quite understand
her. ana being travelled man of the
world, who prided myself in my know
| ledge of the ser, the conclusion ! was
forced to arrive at was not extremely
| pleasant. One summer evening, as we
were all starting for horseback ride.
we missed Kate. but sister, who WAS
also Of the party. explained that she
| had decided to remain at home. So her
horse was led back TO the stable, and
We started off helter skelter up the
road
As we were decending a hill my
horse stumbled and fell, throwing me
some little distance. l got up, how
ever, telling the rest not to stop, | was
all right but soon after mounting
again, l felt a stinging pain in my
right hand, and told them l had cut
my hand little and would gs back if
they would proceed without me. The
groom took my horse, and l passed