Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-11-12

SVhiO 40 III iaAiy hS, you AhV"i 40 @"N
handsomest man i'll the world"
And the pleasant pen ran on and told
about the planting the prospective sweet
corn, and pea blossoms, and how the
grape.vines were full of finest punches
and the young peach trees we're going to
do spiendidly; and Adela had two cum
ming, milk-white teeth, and don't know
how much more loving nonsense.
Now, Fanny had rich lover, and, like
most rich lovers, he was not progresses
ing in his personal appearance. In her
own written language to Olive, "he pes
tered her to death" To be sure, 1t was
pleasant to see his splendid equipagc in
front of their door, with the two superb
grays, for on certain occasions Fanny
yielded to his solicitations to take ride;
and be always contrived TO take her by
his castle Of brown stone front, perhaps
to tempt her; for Fanny was fond of
beautiful things, as women ought to be,
and was well aware OF the advantages
which money can give.
Both her father and mother were anxi-
Gus that she, should marry the Hon.
Ebenczer Wolcott, but Fanny wa, high
spirited and they seldom advised her.
The girl know that they were living be-
yOnd their means for her sake, and this
knowledge had been bitterly earned.
She and Olive had many conferences over
IT,
"l think If you were married, said
Olive, papa would come here aud take
a small house; then business need not
press him 30 in his old age"
Ebenezer had done the proper thing :
had offered Fanny his heart, his house,
his carriage and his horses and although
be was known for pugnacious old gen
tleman. terribly set in his way, he was
honorable, and he loved beautiful Fanny
Bryson with all his heart. And Fanny
had told him that she could not then de.
eide-that she was going for the summer
months TO sister Olives aud at the close
Of her VISIT she would give him his ans
wer.
And may come out there somo,imes1'
asked Ebep,
Bauny gave reluctant consent, and
wished with all her heart that she had
refused him. So, with the understand
ing that he would call as a friead, the
two parted.
At the depot Fanny found her sisters
carriage iu waiting, and was accosted by
the handsomeSt as well as the tallest man
she had ever seen. Six feet high and
proportionately majestic, he seemed like
Apollo and Hercules in one,
UCan this be the hired mau 2" thought
Fanny and then she looked at his dress.
Not trace Of servtude about him, but
he treated her with extreme Difference,
said but little, drove with the precision
of man accustomed to horses, AM drew
up before the cottage in grand style
Fanny was in her sister, arms, and at.
ter her the baby came in for full share
Of kisses,
"Well, ia that your hired man ?" queri-
ed Fanny, after her comfortable INSTALL
meut in one of the luxurious easy-chairs.
"Yes, dear, that is Mathew Dom.
How do you like him ?"
He looks like a gentleman said
Fanny, after q little pause.
HE is gentleman, dear, in the best
sense Of the wordi | told you that"
"And does he speak En4ish well p
why, child, he isn't a foreigner"
laughed Olive.
II mean dramatically" said Fanny.
"0h, yes; | presume he has common
school education" replied Olive, land
something better. know there are GER
tain classical books in his room. Wheth-
er he ever reads them or not | cannot
say
rWhy in the world does he hire out ~
cried Fanny, dismay in her voice.
why shouldn't hep asked Olive,
laughing hearty again. "He likes the
country, is used to horses, and, l suppose,
he can't get anything better to do"
"But man like him nigh, be some
body I" calculated Fanny with vehem.
ence, My patience has he no ambi.
tion I'm afraid shall despise him."
Perhaps, dear, he wouldn't mind il
you did," said Olive. hiding her face in
the white neck of her baby. "He is SC
pery independent"
Surely, why should he care what she
thought of him?" solilOquized Fanny,
her cheeks flushing.
The next day she met him at the table.
II seemed strange enough to sit down
with the hired help, but she was forced
to confess that in nothing did he give the
impression of being menial.
"Shall we take hold of that ive-acre
lot this morning ?" he asked, respectfully
of Mr.. Maynard, Olives husband.
mo, prefer you should look to the
drainage Of that patch east of the HILL ,
was the answer There will be no rain
yet awhile. and | want to prepare that
land for potatoes" s."
Fannie watched Matthew Dom out OIL
the sly, and Olive caught her at it.
III wanted to see what kind of dres:
he works ill.," said Fannie, with telling
cheeks
Don't you think him little handsom
er in his blouse and heavy field boots ?
asked Olive.
ale is certainly very handsome" said
Fannie, frankly; "but why in the world
however" she said, stopping short, "it''
none of my business; but such man as
that should surely work his own land"
That's true" said Olive, quietly.
Time passed on. Fanny became ac'