Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-12-05
AUSTIN, MOWER COUNTY, M

to the mark; and climb the hills with
me, her step light and free MS the deer
in the glade below and hold steady
oar in our boat on the river; and swim
ashore, if need should be; and then,
when walk or row was over, who could
sit down to n lunch of cold meat and
bread and butter with an appetite as
keen rs Il young Indians alter days
hunt; yes,- and who knew how to be
efficient in the kitchen and the rarest
ornament of the parlor. How impa-
tient was to SEQ her, the bewitching
maiden whom prince might have been
pronl to marry. And again I said TO
myself, as I went up the Park House
steps: 81 do hope Tom hasn't made a
fool of himself!"
-Four o'clock found me ut the station
and a moment later in walked Tom,
carrying a basket filled with Jersey
peaches. "They didn't grow in Green
land, said he, tucking the paper down
over the flnit. "Come this way" I
followed him, and we had Just seated
ourselves comfortably in the Car when
the train moved of.
SHOW for the story, Tom, said I, as
we crossed the bridge and caught the
breeze cool from the sea. "But I can
guess beforehand the girl you married.
It was Clara Maitland"
A shadow passed over Toms face.
"Clara has been dead four years" :"
said he. She inherited consumption
from her mother. We did, everything
for her-took her to Minnesota. and
Florida but it was no use! She didn't
hve;to see her eighteenth birthday"
Poor Clara |! She loved you dearly.
Th4n ! suppose you chose some Bos-
tonight of your acquaintance"
"Jack, syou couldn't tell who Mrs.
Tom Foeter~ was ifyou should try from
! now:tiu morning.iaI I shall have to en-
tighten you." And, moving the basket
tosone side and settling himself in his
seat, he went on: ,"Y You know have
the misfortune to be an only child. At
or was twenty one, father and moth
er began to talk about my marrying.
have plenty of cousins, you know, and
we always. had young ladies going in
and out of the house but while Clara
lived she was company for me, and af-
ter she died I was sfnll of business, and
didn't trouble myself about matrimony.
To tell the truth, Jack, I didn't fancy
the girls. Perhaps I was unfortunate
in my acquaintances; but they seemed
to me all curls and founces and furbe.
lows, and I would as soon have thought
marrying a fashion-plate as one of
these elaborate creatures. don't OBJ
ject to style; l like it. But you can see
fine gowns and bonnets any day in
Washington street windows; and my
ideal of a woman was one whose dress
| is her least attraction.
"Do you reeollect fathers former
partner, Adam Lance He's clever old
gentleman and millionaire, and faith.
or has the greatest liking and respect
for him. He has two daughters-one
married years ago; and the other, much
younger, father fixed upon as desira-
BILE wife for me. rather think the two
families had talked it over together :;
at any rate, Miss Matilda came to
Greenland for long summer visit.
She is an amiable girl but so petted
and spoiled that she's good for nothing
-undevelcped in mind and body. She
looked very gay in the evenings, ,attired
in Jordan, Marsh & Co. IS latest impor-
tations, But she was always late at
breakfast; she didn't dare to ride
horseback; she couldn't take walk
! without stopping to rest on every stone !;
and once when I asked her if she had
read the account of the battle of Se-
dan, she looked up, in her childish
way, and sale, mo, Mr.. Foster. News
papers are so tiresome.' Bless me
what should + have do with such a
baby2"
"a year ago this summer was very
much confined at the store: and when
| August came, instead of spending the
! whole month at home, I thought /
would have little change, and so ]
went down for fortnight to the Cliff
House, Beach It's quiet, pleas.
ant resort, and you'll always find fifty
to one hundred people there during
the season. The landlord is a good
fellow, and distant relative of mine.
I thought he looked furried when
went in, and after few minutes he
took me one side and said:
"Tom,: you've come at an nnlucky
time. 1 had very good cook, that !
got from Boston, at twenty dollars 9
week, but she's a high-tempered wo
man. Last evening she quarreled with
her assistants, this morning the break
fast was all in confusion, and now she's
packing her trunk to leave by the nex>
train. In two or. three days cal
probably get another down in hel
place but what we're to do meanwhile
I don't know"
| "But, Norton" said I, ''isn't there
some one near by or in the house who
can take it?'
II doubt it, he replied, I've hal
q dozen girls from the vicinity doint
up-stair work-one of them from you
town, the best waiter in the dinin.
room. But I suppose all of then
would either be afraid of the response
bllity or think it beneath them to turr
cook :; though they would have plent,
of help, and earn twenty dollars wher'
they now get three"
ttWhO's here from Greenland2"
asked, for knew something of almos
every one in the place.
3: "Mary Lyford."
+. "Mary Lyford2 A black-eyed, light
footed girl, about twenty years old
with two brothers in Colorado and he
father farmer over toward Stratham {?
eyes, tho very same.''
| why, she's the prettiest girl ii
Greenland-at least. thought so tw
| years ago, when I danced with her a
the THANKSGIVING party in the village
/ and I heard last fall that she took th
? prize at the Manchester Fair for til
best loaf of bread. But why is sh
here2"
"On you know farmers haven't muc
ready money; and I suppose she want
ed to earn something for herself, and t
r come to the Beach, like the rest of u,
You say she took the premium for he
I bread. ! believe Illg 60 into the dinin
@ room and propose t6 give the cook
l place to any one Of the girls who woul
y like it, and who feels competent to tax
i it. must do something" and, lookin
g at his watch, he went out.
"Ten minutes later he came bacl
y clapping his hands, and exclaiming:
s "Mary Lyford says she will try it.
e "Hurrah for Greenland" cried
"Isn't that plucky3 BY Jovc!
}. hope she'll SUCCEED, aud I believe 81
e WILL"
g "You mustn't expect much to-day
n said Norton. "Tblngs are all tops,
l. turyy in the kitchen, and it'll tai
+, some time to get them straightene
ont"
IS "Just then new arrival claimed h
@ attention, and with u serener face
/. ! furned 4 UNIV