The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-31

come and spend his Thanksgiving with
them In New Hampshire. You NAV be
sure that Cousin Tom was ready enough
to accept the invitation, for he had never
seen girls 30 pretty or so nice before, and
by this time had quite made up HIS mind
to fall in love with bis cousin Edith.
"ltwas all arranged. The young ladies
went home late in October, and on the
day before Thanksgiving, II nothing pre-.
vented, Tom was to present himself in
-, the place they lived at in New
Hampshire"
What place was 1t grsndpspa" per-
sisted Jack.
Suppose we cali It Westheld," REPLIED
grandpapa, with twinkle. "As It hap
pened, this young clerks employer had
some business to be transacted in the
town OF Elgin-only 10 miles from West.
teld-and as Tom was going so near, he
decided 10 entrust It to him, only, un.
luckily happened, this business must be
attended TO the Monday before Thanks-
giving.
"But never mind that" said the head
ofthe firm. "Ill give you tortnight's
leave, and you had better be off next
Thursday; that will bring you to Elgin on
Saturday night. You can do the business
Monday, and be free to go to your friends
by Monday evening. Then you need not
report yourself here till next Thursday
week. How will that answer"
ut answered wonderfully well, except
Tor one little thing, and that was, Tom
did not like the idea Of presenting himself
at a strangers house two days before no
was expected. However there was no
time to write. Mails travelled rarely to
that part Of the country. "Therell be a
tavern or something" Tom said to him
self. Til go there and see how the land
lies before I make my appearance"
$50 in the best OF spirits he started for
his torty-eight hours Of staging. All,
boys, you may talk as much as you like
Of the advantages Of steam, but there was
never anything equal 10 those old.
fashioned stage rides, when, as to Toms
case, 1t was the height Of Indian summer,
and the country all gold and mist, and
the air soft and balmy, with Just the little
twang Of last nights frost in It to give o
zest. -Four good horses and seat on top!
Phewl you'll never see anything like It.
Well, Tom had q grand time, got to Elgin
safely, did his business Monday morning,
and the same afternoon, just as the sun
was setting, rolled into Westfield In o
farmers wagon which he had hired to
bring him over.
1.-THE wagon set him down in front oil
q blacksmith's shop, and drove of, leay.
ing him to shift for himself. OF course,
the first thing he asked Tor was the inn;
but there was none, it'appeared. He felt
at a loss what to do, and seeing just then
a pleasant looking elderly man jogging
past in q substantial gig, he concluded to
stop him and make some inquiries.
"Can you tell me, sir, II there is any
place In the village where I can get q
nights lodgingS"
1.-THE stranger took look at him, and
answered, Yankee fashion, with another
question.
"You are traveller, them"
"Yes, have come up from New York
to spend few days, and find you have
no tavern here"
"Nsw York, eh. You don't happen to
know a cousin Of mine there named Tom
Somers, do your
"That Is my name, sir"
"Ahp said tho old gentleman, with a
laugh. II thought ! couldn't be mistaken
in your nose. It's as good as family
label all the world round. But what do
you want 10 find q tavern for 2"
tom explained.
Nonsense" said his cousin. "Jumr
right in. You can't come too soon. The
girls will be glad to see you. They
couldn't say enough about you when they
came home"
III you are sure shant put you to any
inconvenience"
"Inconvenience not a bit. Jump right
| in, | say. We arc country folks and
don't put ourselves out for our friends
You must take US as you find US. DittiG
was deep in some iurbelow or othel
when camo of, but Nelly will see you
Bless her little heart, she's never too busy
to do anything that's wanted, II It only
makes somebody else comfortable"
$50 off they drove, and aiterlhalt o mila
turned in at an open gate, and stopped II
front Of q large, low, comfortable home
stead. The old gentleman sprang ou
like boy, and opened the door began L
call in loud voice, 'Dittle-Nelly-girls
This way, Tom. Here's the keeping
room, and there's q fre-or ought TO DO
We'll, Ditto, what's the matterH Why
don't you come and speak to your cousiE
} Tom?'
"And Tom stood and stared, for th
figure before him was very little like tht
exquisite fairy he had been dreamtn!
about for month back. Ditto was cud
died up in corner Of the hearth with
candle beside her, and her lap full OF
blue silk petticoat, upon which she wa
sewing. Her pretty hair was all tucke'
out Of tho way, and looked rough ant
careless. Her dress was a sort OF tade'
: bed gown, evidently put on In q hurry AM
as she got up and shutlled unwilling.
forward there could DO no doubt that be
slippers were down at the heel.
STOW, children, Il there Is one thin
above another q woman cannot AFFORD y
be, Il is untidy. No matter how beauti
. full she Is, Il spoils Il all. Venus, herself
couldn't make an impression 10 an oil
bed. gown, with her hair rumpled and he
collar awry. And as Tom stared OF b.
lady.loyc-sullcn and mortified, and Y
this unpromlsIng gulSe-he felt htS sentI
: ment for her oozing out at the tips OF 81
} fingers, and what's worse, It mover cam
| hack a9ain. Remember that, girls