Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-10-19
Mtiseellaneons.
Exchanging Rings.

IrHdtncc Holmes sat IN The wide
shady kitchen. busily engaged in pick
iug over whortlcberrlcs. Without. the
golden sunshine OF an August aftcr-
noon hathed the green fields and the
dusty road that wound away 10 the
village, and touched with richer color
the Ha>turtiums, swcct-peas, gerani-
uuls and zinnias in the little garden. and
the heavy Virginia crcepcr that climb
"a AMI hloomci above the door. Pru-
dencc made a pretty picture as she sat
on allow cricket, with "A big calico apron
spread over her blue-sprigged muslin
dress 10 defend it from the stains that
had soilcd her little brown hands. She
was a petite, dainiily rounded maiden
OF eighteen, with great dark eyes and
glossy curls shading fair brow, and
checks that had touch of wiid-rose
bloom upon them. The kitchen. too.
made prettier picture, with It's well
secured floor and dresser, its aspara-
gus-topped clock, its shining stove,
with punches OF herbs hanging behind
il, and the great boquet of vivid card-
nal flowers set on the snowy table.
The kitchen was perfectly quiet,
save the buzz Of flies and the tick Of
the clock, and outside the crickets and
the locusts alone disturbed the silence.
Prudence believed that every one in
the house was asleep but herself, and
yawned somewhat YEARLY as she toss
ell over the berries, finishing the yawn
with bit of a soliloquy uttered half
aloud
oh dearI This having summer
boarders isn't very nice
Miss Prudence said voice in the
doorway, So suddenly that Prudence
nearly upset her berries in her sur
prise.
oh, Mr.. Wentworth, is it you:'
She said, bashfully, bending down to
pick up few berries that had rolled
from her apron.
I'll pick 'em up" Exclaimed the
newcomer-a tall and rather aristo-
cratic looking youth Of twenty-one,
| with merry blue eyes, and short auburn
hair, curling closely under a straw hat
diving for the missing berries with
ungraceful dexterity. Yes, it is l,
Of course. Have you forgotten your
promise to go after lilies with Inc this
afternoon, you know; only some af.
ternoon this week, responded Prudence
demurely.'
Well, we'll call it this afternoon
won't we" Was the the persuasive
rejoinder, as the straw hat was tossed
upon chair.
Il can't; I've got these berries to
pick over
I'll help you. Lend me half that
apron, and well have them done in
trice.'
But l shall have supper to get. Mo
ther's away, and there are biscuits u
make insisted Prudence, turning he
face away to hide smile that would
curve her lips.
Never mind that responded MIR
Abbott Wentworth, bringing chal
to her side. Teas at six, isn't it
Wen be back by five, without fail, am
have time TO get half the lilies in tn
river and he began TO assOrt a hand
full of berries with much earnestness.
WE'LL assented Prudence, after
pause for consideration, and a glanc
at the clock-'I can go for littl
while, perhaps. Oh, don't stain you
coat, Mr.. Wentworth
But Mr.. Wentworth was sublimel,
Indifferent to his coat, and worked wit
such good will that the berries wer'
soon picked over, and Prudence wit
her draperies daintily bestowed abou
her, was seated in the stern of q littl
boat, which, propelled by Mr.. Wen'
worth's practiced hands, shot dow
stream.
Although Mr.. Wentworth said t
Prudence five times within one hou
that it was lovely day, and althoug
Prudence assented every time, hard
ly think they appreciated the beaut