The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-02-14
THE OLD REGIME.
4 HoOsIER REALITY.

1t WAS a pretty country cottage as is to
be found even now i'll all the Wabash Val
ley, situated on prominent bluff overlook
ing the broad stretches of bottom land, and
giving a fine view of the wide, winding
river. The windows and doors of this cot
tags were draped i'll vines, among which
the morning glory and the honeysuckle
were the most luxuriant; while on each
side of the gravelled walk that led from the
front portico to the door-yard gate grew
clusters of pinks, sweet-williams and lark
spurs. The house WAS painted white and
had very green window shutters-Old fash
ioned, to be sure, but coZy, home-hke, and
tasty, withal.
About the hour of six on Monday morn
ing, in the month of May, fine looking
lad of twelve walked slowly up the path
which led from the old orchard to the
house. He was dressed III loose trousers of
bottle green jeans, jacket of the same,
heavy boots, and well-worn hat. His face
was strikingly handsome, being fair, health
fu. intelligent and bright, although now it
Wort an indescribable, family visible shade,
as of Innocent perplexity or possible grief
The mistress of the cottage was at this
time in the kitchen preparing for the week
washing. She was middle-aged, stOutly
built. healthy matron, sandy haired and
slightly freckied, blue eyed and quick in
her movements. Usually smiling, and
happy. it was painful to see how strongly
she now struggled to master the emotions
of sadness that constantly arose IN her
bosom like spectres that would not be dr1V-
en- away.
A bright eyed, golden haired maiden of
sixteen was in the breakfast room washing
the morning dishes, and singing occasion
ally snatches from mournful dltty. 1t
was sad indeed to see cloud of regret and
half-suppressed anguish on that fair, young
face, and dimming the earnest sparkle OF
those usually merry eyes.
Mr. Coulter, the head of the family,
owner of the cottage and its lands, stood
near the centre of the sitting room, gazing
fxedly and sadly at the picture of a sweet
child holding a white kitten i'll its lap,
which picture hung on the wall over against
the broad fireplace. A look of sorrow be-
trayed itself even in the dark, stern vIsage
of the man. Occasionally he drew his
gri11led rnnustache into his mouth and bit
it fiercely. Evidently he ""e chatting nm
der grief
The cottage windows were wide open, as
is the Western custom in fine weather, and
the fragrance of the spice wood and sassa-
fras floated in the floOd-tide of pleasant air,
while from the great locust by the yard
fence fell the twittering prelude to tinch's
song. white line of fog above the river
was plainly visible from the western win
dow, and through the tieecy veil fiocks OF
teal and wood ducks cut swiftly in their
downward sweep to the water. a golden
flicker sung and hammered on the gate
post while he eyed a sparrow hawk that
wheeled and screamed high over head.
The lad entered the kitchen and said to
his mother, i'll a voice full OF tenderness,
though hardly audible
Ma, where's pa?
in the front room, Billy, replied the ma
trOn.
Passing into the breakfast room, Billy
looked at his sister, and a fash of sympa-
thetic sorrow played back and forth from
the eyes of one to those of the other; then
he went straight into the sitting room and
handed something to Mr.. Coulter.
The man looked down at his boy proudly,
sternly, sorrowfully. The lad looked into
his fathers face sadly, exultingly, heroic
ally. Itwas living tableau no artist could
reproduce.
Billy said the father gravely, 4 took
mother and sister to church yesterday
Yes, sir
And left you to see to things
Yes, sir, replied the boy, gazing out
of the window at the flicker as it hitched
down on the gate post, and finally dropped
into the grass with a shrlll chIrp.
And you didn't water the pigs.
600! Oh, sir! Geeroody. Oh me
Lawse, lawse, me =
The slender scion of an apple tree rose
and fell in the hands of Mr.. Coulter; and
UP from the jacket of the lad, like incense
from an altar, rose cloud of dust mingled
with the nap of jeans. Down in the young
clover of the meadow the larks and spar
rows sang cheerily, the gnats and flies
danced up and down in the sunshine, the
soft leaves of the vines rustled, and all was
merry indeed.
Billy's eyes were turned up to the face
- 2s-N,l
with n sharp hiss the switch cut the air,
falling steadily and mercilessly on his
shoulders. And along the green bank Of
the river the " flows shook their shiny