The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-07-11

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! as well ss Frank, often rebelled. MI
e Strong, / was sure, was too sensible
to like any of US better in silk dress
es and paniers than in plain calico
$50 l followed Franks example. anC
certainly the sight of the calico did
not seem to disturb him in the least
| don't know what we should have
done without him that summer. II
was lonely enough at times, as II
was, for our new neighbors were so
scattered that we saw but little OF
Gnem' and even our city friends sell
oOm came for more than days stav
SO the young mans visits were
douoly welcome. In addition to be-
ing an entertaining talker he was a
nne singer, and was always ready to
join US in a song; he brought the
newest books and revived our love
Iof botany by constant Contributions
OF wild flowers, and regularly on
Sunday evening he escorted us all
to church.
i 80 the summer Waned and autumn
came, and we began to fear that our
pleasant friend would soon be lesy-
ling US for college. Once or twice
I'VE had broached the subject, but he
seemed inclined to be little reserv-
ed about it, so we let it drop.
Il don't see why he has to 90 at
an, said Grace, "he knows enough
now"
"He is certainly very intelligent
Tor a man of his age" said Arabella.
"but Of course he wants to finish his
studies. l wonder what he intends
to be. It is strange that he does
not tell us more in regard to himself
and his plans"
maybe Frank can tell us,'' said
Oracle archly.
A curious little smile was PLAYING
about Franks mouth.
HE left college year ago and is
expecting soon to take q partner
and begin business, I believe" she
said demurely.
Arabella looked up in surprise.
why l thought his uncle spoke as
If he were still student"
"There was some mistake about
that l think" said Frank. "The
farmer was speaking of his nephew,
Ralph HILL, not of Ralph Strong"
"And who is Ralph Strong, then"
asked Arabella in amazement.
"Ralph Strong is farmer Hills
hired man." said Frank, Just as if
the fact were something to be proud
of.
"Whatro cried Arabella sharply.
"He is farmer Hills hired man.
repeated Frank.
"The impudentpuppyw exclaimed !
Arabella, completely thrown off her
by this rather startling an
Wouldn't base imposter' be a
more appropriate term?" suggested
Frank, tOrmentingly.
"He certainly cannot expect us to
receive him any longer as a guest"
Arabella went on, ignoring the
"We might possibly receive him
as one Of the family, though" said
Frank, turning to the window to hide |
her bushes.
A dim perception of the truth be-
gan to dawn on Arabella.
ut is not possible that he has had
the assurance to ask you to marry
himT she said freezingly.
"Why not? He loves me and I
.oye him." said Frank bravely.
This was little too much. No
words could adequately express our
CONSERVATION, and we all three sat
and gazea at her in silence.
"Its just too bad!" sighed Grace
ltlast, with tears in her eyes. aIFs
going to spoil all our nice times"
at is very pleasant mistake from
to end" said Aarbella,
With an effort to compose herself;
'butit proves exclusively that Ralph
strong, whatever else lie NAV be,
S no gentleman"
"You are wrong there!" said
frank, with flashing eyes; and then
ike the. true woman she is, she
,ravely took up the absent ones
lefense. It seems that the nephew
Ralph Hill, whom the farmer went
o call on, on that memorable even
ng, was absent at the time. So
talph Strong was sent in his place.
Accepting our cordial invitation to
.isit us, without the least suspicion
hat we were taking him for other
han 4e was, he had come and gone
Teek after week, in blissful igno-
ance, until one evening, while con
ding to Frank some bits of per-
onal history, he CHANGED to dis
over the mistake we were making, :
nd was eager at once to explain;
ut Frank, partly from a love of :
and partly for fear the ex-
lanation would put an end TO his :
oming, had begged him to keep I
uiet for awhile. $50 the fault is
Il mine," she said, "and now YOU I
lay call him what you Hke-farmer 5
IilPs nephew, or farmer Hills hired !
me he is, and has been !
ON the first, simply Ralph Strong, =
le truest and best man l have ever .
nOwn." And all Arabella's argu- q
Ients failed to convince her that L
and reaping for farmer 4
ill had in any way lessened his
lanhood, or that in marrying a Y
Irmer she would be booming her e
slf to life of daily drudgery. So 5.
lere was nothing more to be said. y
he was of age, and had a perfect :;
ght to do as she pleased-but it y
,emed so odd that Frank, who had 81
,fused more offers than she could Il
ell remember, was, after all, going E
, marry farmer Hill's hired man. 1t q
lme to light a little later that he G
imself was the owner of a large s
I'm, and had hired himself to farm e
Hill chiefly for the purpose of I
arning how to manage it, having ',
on leaving college, that y y
2 knew far more of astronomy u
ian of agriculture; but even this .
ollifying fact could not restore a
composure. "
Father and mother came home in u
le fall, and we all went back to Z
,wn-and at Christmas there was a
eddinO. Arabella declared that II