The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-08-07

gentlemanly and agreeable person.
Beyond the simple fact that he
was farmer Hills nephew from
College we knew nothing whatev-
or about him., but his face and
voice were of themselves sufficient
to inspire confidence, and before
many weeks went by we had
come to regard him as our right.
hand man. Arabella consulted
him on all matters OF business,
and Grace and l were constantly
asking his advice about garden
ing, while FraAk, who had set
her heart OH raising a brood OF
chickens, held animated confer
ences with him as to the best
ways OF promoting the health and
happiness of her feathercd pets;
AT least when the two sat for halt
an hour at a time on the back
porch in the twilight watching the
little creatures nesting under tho
mothers wings, it was naturally
to be supposed that they formed
the chief subject of discussion.
"It is hardly polite to trouble
Mr.. Strong SO much about those
chickens. Frances" Arabella
would say. "A college man like
him is not supposed to be very
familiar with the raising of poul.
try"
"Then it's high time he turned
his attention to it," said Frank,
with mischief lurking in her eyes.
Another cause Of annoyance To
our elder sister was the simplicity
Of Franks toilets.
IL do wish, my dear France,
that you would make yourself
look a little more stylish. These
young collegians are not accus-
toned to seeing ladies dressed
like kitchen girls."
But Frank declared that half
The pleasure Of living in the conn.
try was the privilege Of dispcns-
ing with style, and persisted in
wearing calico dresses and white
aprons. @'i
81 don't think Arabella had the
least inclination to try match.
making, or anything of tho sort,
she wac simply anxious to have
her three girls make s~~A i'm.
preston; /; but her anxiety was
oppressive,and l, rs well as Frank.
occasionally rebelled. Mr.. Strong
l was sure, was too sensible to
like us any better in elk dresses
and panicrs than in plain calico.
So | followed Franks example,
and certainly the sight Of the cal
leo did not disturb him in the
least. l don't know what we
should have done without him
that Summer. 1t was lonely
enough at times as it was, for our
neighbors were so scattered tha,
we saw but little of them, ard
even our city friends seldom came
for more than days stay, so the
young mans visits were doubly
welcome. In addition to being
an entertaining talker he was a
fine singer, and was always ready
to join us in song; he brought
the newest books and revived our
love of botany by contributions
of wild flowers, aud regularly on
Sunday evenings he escorted us
all to church.
So the Summer waned and Au.
tumn came, and we began to fear
that our pleasant friend would
soon bo leaving us for College,
Once or twice we had broached
the subject, but he seemed in
clined to be a little reserved about
It, and we let it drop.
81 don't see why he has to 60 Of
all, "said Grace, she knows enough
now" u'id@, '.at'
"l1e lie certainly very intelli-
gent for a man his age" said
Arabella, "bnt Of course he wants
10 flush his studies. ! wonder
wha: he intends to DO. 1t is strange
that lie doca not tell us more in
regard to himself and his plans. u
"May be Frank can tell us"
said Gracic archly.
A curions little smile was play
ing about FraI.k's month. IsS,ne
"lleleit College a year ago and is
expecting soon to take a partrer
and begin business | believe"
she said demurely.
Arabella lookoi up in surprise.
"Why l thought his uncle spoke
as If he were still q student"
"Thcre was some mistake about
that 1 think" said Frank. ''The
farmer was speaking Of his neph-