Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-04-16
BY .. e. K5Y ELS.
VOL. XIII.

Ithing,n he said to himself "If | should
be disappointed in her. But, pooh it's
the only way to find out if she's worth nv
boys love.n
| Presently the numbering old chariot
came to stand still; but, to RachePs
surprise, in front Of no fairy cot, or low
eaved edifce surrounded by verandahs
and flower-parterres. A tumbledown
1lnpainted farm house stood little back
from the road, with its shutters hanging
loosely by one hinge, and one or two
scrubby lilac bushes forlornly tossing
their foliage IN the wind
How dreary it looksp thought
Rachel, with a little shudder, as she won.
dered If the coachman had'really meant
to stop there. But Uncle Ben at once
seized his carpet bag and umbrella
"Gome, my dear" he said to Rachel.
/ "Is this the place ?2 she asked.
"This is the place." Uncle Ben answer
ed with sodden paroxysm of coughing.
:" Gates little out of order," as that use
fel mode of ingress became suddenly
| detached from its sole remaining hinge,
and fellw a crash to the ground 'but
that's soon set right with a screw-driyer
and a half dozen screws"
Alas! poor Rachel What were her
| sensations as she looked blankly around
the neglected, dismal spot which was the
sole realization of her fair dreams? This
is the home Uncle Benedict had given
them And for an instant our poor little
heroine felta if she could repel the un-
welcome gift, and tell Uncle Benjamin
plainly that she could not spend her DAYS
in a hovel like this
But then come 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
then heads. No, she must gratefully ac-
cept the present in tie spirit in which it
was given, and check In the bud all her
rebellious and unamia bic repinings.
81 told you it was o cottage,you know
said Uncle Ben, keenly scrutiuizing her
face, as they stood on the doorstep waiting
for the door to be opened.
+ 'SYes, | 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 n
SlrSrather lonesome" said Uncle Ben.
. " The draught seems to be poor,n said
Rachel )" but l dare say it can be altered"
i. 8 I hadn't any idea the ceilings were so
low," grumbled the old gentleman.
"It's partly the effect of the large pat.
tern of the wall paper" said Rachel, with
a glance at the red and green monstrosi-
ties. "a narrow striped pattern will i'm
prove it, e ma. zaaf
q What queer little cupboards by the
side Of the manteltD said Urclc Ben.
"Ol, they will be nice for our best
china, said Rachel. E@e E
81 My DEAR" said the old gentleman, "I
believe you are determined to be pleased.
Do you really think you shall like this
place %
81 shall Ike any place where Hugh is p
said Rachel brightly ~ r-ea s.
She went all over the house with the
old gentleman, planning improvements,
and suggesting and contriying, until he
really began to think she would make an
Arcadia out of the tumble-down old
farm. And if she she ed 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 neyor suggested it.
There was the chariot 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. g want to. show you a place
farther up the road, which has been taken
by friend 6f mine.7 eaFr..... s
The drive and the delicious September
air were like an invig0ra ting tonic to onr
wearied little bride, and picture after
the style Of Vatican awaiting them IN
the exquisite villa, with It's roseclad bay
windows, picturesquely sloping roof. !
Rustic iron chairs stood under the bowing
branches Of the elmS on the lawn, and a
marble Cupid, holding up a carved conch-
she'll, scattered bright rain into u flower
boardered basin directly in front Of the
gates.
g" Oh, hsw. beautiful y cried Rachel.
z | never saw such superb scarlet gerani-
ums in my life; and what lovely marble
paved hall 7" ~ $50 hA I
"You like the appearance?"
"0h, yes; 7tis. beautiful q L Il
@Come in, my dear, and sec how you
like the INTERIOR said the old gentleman
serenely. ---2-S, .--. - q
twas perfect, from the drawing-rooms,
with thei. superb Brussels carpet and
exquisite silk hangin IS, to the chambers, /
all In white and pink, like the inside of
roses heart, and the fairy conservatory. /
all stocked with cameHas, heliotrope, and
rare fuschias, at the south end of the
house.
alt Is ike fairy landp' cried Racket.
"Do tell me Uncle Ben,
who is to live here ?p
Uncle Ben turned around and faced
her.
~" You. my dearw
And Hugh, Of course ?D
To be sure
"But uncle" gasped little Rachel,
quite overwhelmed by this unexpected
good luck, q the other house.
(" That's only a little joke of mine
This is the real home, and give it to you
with all the more pleasure, that YOU were /
to make the best of the bad bar 4
gain you thought you were in for. Nv
dear the contented mind you possess is
worth Thousand houses
And Rachel felt something warm and
wei upoh ucf CHeeh Ike lear, aS the OLD
gentleman stopped to kiss her.
When Hugh came home, to find his lit
tie wife upon the verandah, all welcoming
smiles to greet him, he exclaimed, Why,
Uncle Ben, this is a perfect casket!"
"But none too good for the little Jewel
that inhabits it, Uncle Ben answered.
And Hugh read In the tone that his
young wife had Won the capricious old
gentleman's heart.