The Placer herald., 1873-06-14

piness OF her feathered pets; at least wnen
the two sat for half an hour. at time on
the back porch in the twilight watching The
little creatures nesiling under the mothers
wings, it was naturally to be supposed that
they formed the chief subject of discus
sion.
cit is hardly polite to trouble Mr.. Strong
SO much about those chickens, Francis, y
Arabela would say. "a college man like
him is not supposed to be very familiar with
the raising of poultry" ..,s.
"Then it's high time he turned his at
tention to it, said Frank, with mischief
lurking in, her eyes
Another cause of annoyance to our
elder sister was the simplicity of Frank s
toilets.
81 do wish my dear Francis that you
would make yourself look little more
stylish. These young collegians are not ac-
customed to seeing ladies dressed like kitch-
en- girls"
But Frank declared that half the pleas
ure of living in the country was the priv
ilege of dispensing with style, and persisted
in wearing calico dresses and white oprons
] don't think Arabella had the least in
clination TO try matchmaking, or anything
of the sort; she was simply anxious to have
her three girls make good appearance; but
her anxiety was oppressive, and |, as well
as Frank, occasionally rebeled. Mr.. Strong,
was sure, was too sensible to, like us any
better in silk dresses and panniers, than
in plain calico. So | followed Frank ex-
ample, and 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. 1t was lonely
enough at times as it was, for our few
neig hbors were SO scattered that we saw
but little of them, and even our city friends
seldom came for more than II days stay, SC
the young mans visits were doubly weicame.
In addition to being an entertaining talkel
he was fine singer, and always ready te
join us in song: he brought the newest books
and revived our love of botany by constan
contributions of wild flowers, and regularly
on Sunday evenings he escorted us all tC
church
So the Summer waned and Autumnco me
and we began TO fear our pleasant friend
would soon be leaving us for college.
Once Or twice we had broached the sttject,
but he seemed inclined to be little reserved
about it and we let it drop.
81 don't see why he has to 60 at all, "
said Grace, "he knows enough now."
"He is certainly very intelligent for a
man of his age said Arabela, "but OF
course he wants to finish his studies.
wonder what be intends to be. 1t is strange
That he does not tell us more in regard to
himself and his plans"
"May be Frank can tell us" said Oracle,
archly.
A curious little smile was playing about
Franks mouth.
"He left college year ago and is ex-
pecting soon to take a. partner and begin
business believe" she said demorely.
Arabella looked up in surprise. "Why,
| thought his uncle spoke as if he were still
student"
"There was some mistake about that ]
think, said Frank "The farmer was
speaking of his nephew Ralph Hill, not of
Ralph Strong"
"And who is Ralph Strong, then ?"
asked Arabella III amazement
"Ralph Strong is farmer Hills hired
man, said Frank, just as if the fact were
something to be proud Of
"What!" cried Arabella sharply.
''He is farmer Hills hired man." re-
peated Frank.
The impudent puppyl" exclaimed Ara
bella, completely thrown off her dignity by
this rather startling announcement. -
"Wouldn't base impostor be more ap-
propriate term % suggested Frank tor
mentngly.
''He certainly cannot expect us to re-
ceive him any longer as a guest" Arabella
went on, Ignoring the amendment
"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 began to
dawn on Arabela.
cit is not possible that he has had the
assurance to ask you to marry him?" she
said freezingy.
"Why not? He loves me and love
him." said Frank bravely,
could adequately express our conster-
nation, and we all three sat and gazed at
her silence.
''lt is just too bad!" sighed Grace at
last with tears in her eyes, ''lt's going to
spoil all our nice times
cit is a very pleasant mistake from be-
ginning to end, " said Arabela, with an ef-
fort to compose herself; "but it proves con-
cusvely that Ralph Strong whatever else
he may be, is no gentleman.
'You are wrong there!' cried Frank
Il L. II Al-
woma" she is, she bravely took up the alb
sent ones defense. 1t seems that the neph-
ew, Ralph Hill, whom the farmer went to
call on that memorable evening was absent
at the time. So Ralph Strong WAS sent in
his place. Accepting our cordial invitation
to visit us, without the least suspicion that
we were taking him for other than he was,
he had come and gone week after week, in
blissful ignorance, until one evening, while
confding to Frank some bits Of personal