Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-01-02
A PLEASANT STORY

| CQdC i uOu u hllOW. hd'Cu CCCu
there to gather roses and feast on
strawberries /? No! it wasn't cot
tage ornee-there was nothing French
ifed about it. 1t was purely Ameri-
can, and harmonized sweetly with
the delightful scenery. Mo- it hadn't
a fiat roof, nor portico; nothing at
all of the kind. But then it had
rose vines running all over the win
dows, and whole colonies Of wrens
that built their nests and sang beneath
its caves. To the right was a field
of clover, red with blossoms; on the
left was an orchard whence winds
scattered shower of bloom; in front
was a green lawn, shaded with some
massive walnut trees; and to the rear
opened a long grass lane through
which the COWS walked every morn
ing to their pasture beyond, and re-
turned at night.
I know we'll enough to whom this
cottage belonged. No, it wasn't to a
school teacher, nor preacher, nor an
author-no such thing. 1t was built
by the hand of him who owned it
and lived in it, and I had always ad-
mitted its excellent taste in blend
ing ;he useful with the beautiful,
though had never seen him-my
visits having been to his wife, and
during his absence. had learned
of him though heard enough to
make me intensely curious to see him;
for not female tongue in The neigh
borhood approved of his wife's choice.
What is the matter with him?'
asked is he immoral ?"
Not that I know OF, was the
reioinder; but to tell the truth,
Dolly, he's insufferably ugly-his
face is all Scared and cicatrized, l
should think by fire, and you know
it always makes lne nervous to look
at anything of that kind, 4-4..=o
Poor man perhaps he got burn
ed in rescuinS some child or feeble
woman from the flames I said.
Don't know; never heard ; never
made inquiries; you know they only
came to live in this neighborhood last
summer, and l never dare ask what
dis6gured him, but I wish that you
would p
81 am considerably acquainted
with Mrs. Winslow. replied; II
thought of calling upon her this
morning; perhaps she will tell me
without asking"
"Do; that's dear good Dolly"
And | did.
The whole atmosphere seemed re-
dolent with music and fragrance |
couldn't tell why all the birds had
taken it into their heads to sing,
warble, and build their nests there
and I didn't know why it was that
the roses, buttercups, violets and
daisies should prefer that place to
any other; but they seemed to. judg-
ing from the prOfusion in which they
grew.
. The whole aspect was delightfully."-
rural and picturesque, and all oyer
fingered an influence Of quietude and
repose.
A narrow footpath, crooked as foot
paths always are, wound along through.
the lawn, beneath the shadows OF
giant walnut. and by this approach
ed, entered the littls gate. and as.
cended the graveled waile. bordered
by beds of flowers, to the door. 1t
was open and I wsnt in.
Alone-a serene and peaceful hush
rested within. The bal,ny wind nest,
led in the wreaths of snowy drapery
hanging at the window, where great
white and red roses bowed their
graceful heads, and the warm rich
summer light came in and lay in
bright bars Of radiance upon the
soor.
Not quite alone elther-a cradle
was there; and it required no coll
luring to tell that. tb@ cradle had an
inmate, self-dignifed, thoughtful,
imperturbable little baby. whose
quiet calmness l could not understand.
1t was wide awake, and its great blue
eyes were staring with infant persls-
.ence ut something, couldn't tell
what; then they turned upon me
and I returned ths gaze. But it
made no difference the baby had
not foul or evil thought 10 hide;
it %as not conscious Of a sin in word
or decd; hence there came no blush
to that delicately rounded cheek, no
falling to that calm, quiet eye, hmPld
rs lake in summer, serene as the
heavens in June.
There was rustic and hhtter OF
muslin, the sound of slight sprlngy
step, the glimpse of fairy form,
and Mrs Winslow stood before me.
She was not very beautiful, but spark.
ling and yivacious, with q glow OF
health on her cheek and its light M
her eye.
The baby had reused now to be
sure no more Of its quiet and calm
ness, no more Of its yhoughtfulness
and serenity. Its little form fairly
futtered with Joy; it laughed, clap
ping its dimpied hands. :,
F" You've come to stay all day with
me, haven't you? and the baby had
such good company while mamma
was gone, hadn't it2'' she said in a
light chirrupy way that set off the
little fellow with renewed delight
Hs H9s invitation had only seconded ded
my design. to remove my bonnet and
mantilla, while .shs sat down on the
rocker and took the baby, we prepar,-
Il y IL !. H., -. i ,,nol,t nf} ora