The Van Buren press., 1873-10-07

| trelliSes covered with climbing rOses nno
honey-suckles; while Uncle Benedict
watched her from behind the screen o1
his newspaper. with the queercst Of ex
prsssions on his old brown face.
I'm almost sorry | commenced the
thing" he said tn himself 4" IT. should
be disappointed in her! But, pooh! il
is the only way to find out il she's worth
my boys love-"
Presently the numbering old chariot
came to a stand still; but, to Rachel's
surprise, in front of no fairy cot. or low
eaved edllice surrounded by verandahs
and lowered parteries. A tumlle down
unpainted farm house stood a little back
from the road, with its shutters hanging
loosely By one hinge, and one or twe
scrub lilac bushes tossing their foliage II
the wind
How dreary il looks thought Ra
chel, with shudder, as she wondered il
the coachman had really meant to stol
there. But Uncle Ben, at once, seized
his carpet. bay and umbrella.
Come, my dear, - he said to Rachel
is this the place :" she ask d
"Thi. is the place. Uncle Ben mn
swered, with very sudden paroxIsm OF
coug Ching Gates litlle ont of order,
S that useful mode Of ingress became
suddenly deta he'd from its sole remain
my hinge, and Tell with Il crash to the
ground; but that's soon set right with
a screw driver aud half adozen screws >
hnI NIL L..
sensations as she looked blankly around
the neglected, oismal spot, which was the
sole realization of her fair dreams? This
was the home Uucle Benedict had given
them. And for an instant our heroine
felt as il she could repel the unwclcomc
gift. and tell Uncle Benjamin plainly that
she should not spend her days in y hovel
like that
Then came sober second thoughts Un.
Gle Benedict had mean. kindly; they were
poor, aud could not afford to dispence
with the meanest of roofs over their
heads. No, she must gratefully accept
the present in the spirit in which it was
given, and check in the bud all her rebel
Ions and unamiable repinings.
II told you it was cottage, you
know, said Uncle Ben keenly scrutiniz
ing her face, as they stood on the door
step, waiting for the door to be opened
"Yes. know. said Rachel, glancing
around with frightened eyes That is
a very choice climbing rose over the win
dow. if it was only properly trained V
Its rather lonesome, said Uncle
Ben.
- The draught seems to be poor. said
Rachel "but dare say team he altered >
Il had no ilea the ceilings were SO
low, grumblsd the oidsrcn,eman.
"lt's partly the effect OF the large pat
tern of The wall paper, said Rachel, with
a glance ut the red and green monstrosi.
ties "A narrow striped pattern will i'm.
prove it,.
What queer little cupboard by the
side Of the mantel! said Uncle Ben,
ION, it will be nice for our best Chi
ia, said Rachel.
MY DEAR" said the old gentleman.
IL believe you are determined to be
pleased. Do you really think you shall
like this place."
~ shall like any place where Hugh
is, " 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 old farm And II she
shed a few tears on her pillow when she
went 10 rest, under the caves Of the roof,
in an apartment that must have been built
for Tom Thnmb, Uuc,c Bon never sus
pected it.
There was carriage at tho door when
Rachel rose from her breakfast Of bread
and butter aud coffee, the next morning.
Come, my lass" said the old gentle
man, want to show you u place fur
,her up the road. which has been taken by
friend Of mine.
The drive and the delicious September
air were like an invigorating tome to our
wearicd little bride. and picture after
the style Of Wattcau awaited them in the
exquisite villa, with its rose clad bay
windows and its picturesque sloping roof
Rustic iron chaias stood under the bow
ing branches OF the elms on the lawn.
and marble Cupid holding up q carved
couch shells scattered bright rain into q
lowered bordered basin dirie,ly in front
Of the gates
On, how beautiful. |" cried Rachel. IL
never saw such superb scarlet Reranu'ns
IN N ne. lie and what a lovely marble
paved hall
you like the appearance p
"Oh, yes; It's beautiful! y
"Comc in, my dear, and see how you
like the Interior" said the old gentle
man, quietly.
1t was perfect, from the drawing rooms
with their superb brussels carpet and cx.
quisite silk hanginys, to the chambers all
in white and PINK, like the inside OF q
roses heart, and the fairy conservatory,
all stocked with camclias, heliotropes,
and rare fuchias, at the south end OF the
house.
1T is like fairy land" cried Rachel,
Enthusiastically. do tell me, Uncle
Ben, who 10 to live here y
"You, my dear. y
And Hugh, OF course 2
To be sure,
"Bu,, Uncle" gaspcd little Rachel
quito over whelned with this unexpected
good luck, "the other house"
That's only little joke Of mine !!
This is the real home, and give 1t to
YOU With all the more pleasure that you
we're disposed to make tho best Of the