The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-04-17

How dreary it looks !" thought
Rachel, with little shudder, as she WON
dered if the eoachman had really meant
TO stop there. But Uncle Ben at once
seized his carpet bag and umbrella.
Come, my DEAR he said to Rachel
Z" Is this the place p she asked.
This is the place." Uncle Ben an
swered. with a sudden paroxysm of
coughing. Gates a little out OF
order, as that useful mode of ingress
became suddenly detached from its sole
remaining hinge, and fell with crash to
the ground: but that's soon set right
with screw driver and half dozen
screws.
Alas! poor Rachel! What were her
sensations as she looked blankly around
the neglected, dismal spot which was the
sole realizations of her dreams? This
is the home Uncle Benedict had given
them And for an instant our poor little
heroine felt as If she could repel tie un
welcome gift, and tell Uncle Benjamin
plainly that she could Eot spend her days
in howell like this.
But then came sober second thoughts.
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly; they
were poor, and could not afford to dis
pense with even the meanest Of roofs
over their heads. No, she must CRATE
| fully accept the presepl IN the spirit in
which it was given, and check IN the bud
all her rebellious and unaimable repin-
uigs.
Il told You it was cottage, you
know. said Uncle Ben, keenly scrutin-
izing her face, as they stood on the door
step waiting for the door to be opened.
Yes, I know" said Rachel, glancing
around with frightened eyes, THAT is a
very choice climbing rose oyer the win
. dow, if it was only properly trained
g. It's rather lonesome" said Uncle
Ben.
The draught seems TO be poor" said
Rachel; but dare say it can be alter
cd.
- | hadn any idea the ceilings were
50 low, grumb!ed the old gentleman.
Its partly the effect Of the large pat
tern of the wall paper" said Rachel,
with glance at the red and green mon
! stronsities. 4 narrow striped pattern
/ will improve it.
What queer little cupboards by the
side of the mantel!' said Uncle Ben
"Oh. they will be nice for our best
/ china, said Rachel.
q Ny dear. said the old gentleman,
Il believe you are determined to be
pleased Do you really think you shall
like this place?
" shall Ike any place where Hugh
is y said Rachel brightly.
! She went all over the house with the
old gentleman, planning improvements,
and suggesting and contriving, until he
really began to think she would make an
Arcadia out Of the tumble-down old
farm. And if she she'd few tears on
her pillow when she went to rest, under
the caves Of the roof in an apartment
which must have been built for Tom
Thumb, Uncle Ben never suggested it.
There was the ch0riot at the door when
Rachel rose from her breakfast Of bread
and butter and coffee, the next morning.
Come, my lass" said the old gentle
man. | want to show you a place fur
ther up the road. which has been taken
by friend of mine"
The drive sad the delicious September
air were ike an inyigorating tonic to our
wearied little bride, and picture after
the style OF Vatican awaiting them in
the exquisite villa, with It's roseclad bay
windows, and pieturesquely sloping roof.
Rustic iron chairs stood under the bow
ing branches of the elms on the lawn, and
a marble Cupid, holding up carved
conch-shell, scattered bright rain into a
foHer-hordered basin directly in front of
the gates.
Oh, how beautiful, cried Rachel
" ] never saw such superb scarlet gerani-
ums in my life; and what lovely mar
ble-paved hall :"
You ike the appearance?
Oh, yes; It's beautiful.
Come in, my dear, and see how you
like the interior" said the old gentle
man serenely.
1t was perfect from the drawing rooms
with their superb Brussels carpet and
exquisite silk hangings, to the chambers,
all 10 white and pink, like the inside of
rose heart, and the fairy conservatory,
all stocked with camelias, hellotrope, and
rare fucbsias, at the south end of the
house.
Il is Ike fairy landl" cried Rachel,
enthusiastically. " Do tell me Uncle Ben
who is to live here o.
50 You, my dear ~
Aud Hugh. of course ?''
To b. sure !"
I" But, uncle" gasped little Rachel,
quite overwhelmed By this unexpected
good luck. the other house.
That's only a little joke of mine
This is the real home. and l give it to
you with all the more pleasure, that you
were disposed to make the best of the
bad bargain you thought you were in for
My dear, the contented mind you possess
Is worth o thousand houses -
, And Rachel felt something warm and
wet upon her cheek Ike a tear, as the old
gentleman stepped 10 kiss her.
When Hugh came home, to fn6 his
little wife upon the verandah. all welcom-
ing smiles to greet him, he exclaimed.
"Why. Uncle Ben, this is perfect
casket !"
but none too good for the little
jewel that inhabits it" Uncle Ben an
swered.
Aud Hugh read in the tone that his
young wife had won the coprieious old
gentleman's heart.