Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-02
NO. 2s5.

grove OF old trees, she could see quite
plainly from her own little cottage. She
was to pass the day at Mount Joy, and in
the evening return, bringing the work
with her for completion at home.
Rose was used to walking, and two or
three miles along the pretty, picturesque
valley road was very little to her. Never
theless she accepted from farmer Brown.
by whom she was presently overtaken,
the offer Of ride in his wagon. Little
less than two miles from the village they
came to what was called the Five Corners,
a point where no less than that number of
roads met. There was a nice country
tavern here, together with a store and
smithy. As they passed the latter they
saw the smith come out, and with black
and brawny hands nail up board in
front of his door, on which was written,
This property for sale. cheap"
''Helo!" said farmer Brown drawing
up, ''Sellen' out. hey?"
wouldn't put up this ERE if want"
answered the smith, who was gruff fel-
low.
"Wal, now! and you're doin' the best
blacksmith business in the hull country ~
said the old man in a tone of disapoint-
ment.
"Mebbc can do better still, answered
he, coolly.
"You don't say? Whereabouts now ?"
'In California, Dicks maxim lots o
money over thar, and he's writ to me to
come out the first minute l can, and jine
him in a business he's about to undertake"
''To be sure and you'll 60 soon s the lot
is sold p
"Yes; the lot, and the smithy, and the
house over thar" nodding toward nice
little white cottage with its portico en-
| powered in multifiora roses, which stood a
little apart from the shop. ''Going to let it
off cheap, as in this case times O. more
valley to me than money. Five hundred
fur the whole lot!'
"Wal, now, that is a low figure ~
''Must be paid, though, before the first
that time. Wouldn't let it go off so easy
if warn't pressed for time, and obleeged
to give such short notice."
The smith finished mailing on the board
as he spoke, and returned to his shop,
whilst farmer Brown drove on.
II say, Rosey, that'd be frst-rate
chance for Bob Ward, said the old man,
turning to her with look of interest.
Better speak to him about it, my girl.
He's fine. steady fellow, and you both
deserve to do WELL"
II don't think he has the money" said
the girl, blushing, but with wistful look
back at the smithy and the cottage, with
it's garden, it's field and ''cow-lot'
''Wal said the farmer, thoughtfully, II
might possibly help him along little.
He's sure to succeed at the Five Corners,
the best place for the smithy in the coun-
try round, and though l ai'nt much to
spare, wouldn't see him at loss for
few dollars or So"
All that day Rose Luttrel's thoughts
were running less upon her work than on
the pretty cottage at the Five Corners
and when Robert Ward came in, late in
the evening. for the usual half-hour's talk
with her, she told him of it.
II can't do it, Rose," he said, regretful-
| ly. "Ive but 800 in the world, and you
know how much there is to do with that
And yet it's such capital place for busi-
ness!'
And such pretty cottage-already
| built, you know
81 wish could afford to get it, he said
looking at the bright, eager face before
him.
Couldn't you try, Robert? Farmer
Brown will help you, you know rc
Robert came in, next evening, looking
IL
missed to loan him 800, "al the ready
money he could scrape together" This,
with his own, would make S4OO.
"Only 800 !" exclaimed Rose,
joyously clasping her hands.
''But there is the difficulty, Rose. Only
81 wanting would spoil the whole, and
how on earth am l to get this 500? l
did try two or three people, whom l
thought best able or willing to make the
loan but they either haven't the money,
or don't want to part with it !"
'.There is your cousin William" said
Rose, hesitatingly. "He has plenty"
Il spoke to him, first" said Robert,
with shadow coming into his clear blue
eyes offering interest on the loan; but
he hadn't the money, he said. l think,
Rose, he hasn't any over-good will toward
me now, dear" She understood him.
'.Let him have good or i'll WILL" she said
with little defiant toss of her head. "It
doesn't matter. We can do without him."
But it was with rather sad heart that
Rose, on the last day of August. set out to
Mount JOY, carrying home the completed
dresses that would be wanted next day at
the great fair at Lexington. She walked
the whole way, this time, as far as the
Five Corners, and there stopped to rest in
the shade of the fruit trees in front OF the
smiths cottage. The notice was still con-
spicuously nailed in the front of the shop.
You haven't yet had an offer for your
place. Mr. Simpson? p she asked OF the
smith, who passed her. appearingly very
busy.
"Plenty offers-money amt paid down,
though. Except young Watsonll take it.
just left a little while ago. and promised
to get the money out o. bank tomorrow
at Lexington. Don't intend to take down
notice till bargain s.made and money paid
cash. First that puts the money in my
hands to have it."
Rose walked on. Her feeling of indif-
ference toward William Watson was
changed into one of Indignation. What
could he want of the smithy, who was .
gardener, and had cottage OF his own
No doubt the proposed purchase was to
spite her and Robert. and, as the thought
occurred she perceived the object of her
,I;rpation apprOachinp on horseback