The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-03-13

laborY There is, in my opinion, nc
excuse for the man, be he day Ia
borer OF not, that voluntarily rejects
all the opportunities SO constantly
offering for mental culture. .
"But it is rather unusual to find a
well educated la"
"Laborer-go on"
"Well, yes; lddorer for all that,
she persisted.
'|NIiss Travers, Iwould like to ask
you a question"
Geofrey's eyes sparkled very dan
gerously, and Tessa had to- drop her
own as she gave the coveted permis-
sion.
"Tell me truly, is it the noticeable
lack of culture--of refinement, you
may say-that is to you laborers
badge Of servitude? Is it not rather
the coarse, blue overalls, the"
"I-I do not understand you"
stammered poor Tessa, blushing in
very shame before this stalwarty young
farmer, who had so perfectly inter
preted her silly thoughts.
Geofrey saw all the signs Of shame
and contrition pictured on the face
bent so low over the "Fairy's" gayly
painted sides. But, man like, he
pursued his advantage, and letting
the boat drift very much to its own
fancy, he took the two little resistless
hands into his own, bronzed and
hardened by the Summers toll, and
imprortuned her for the answer he
knew she could not give.
The soft low sky stretched away
over velvety meadows, garlanding
with wreaths of mist the low woods
and distant forest trees, and Tessa
felt as if she had awakened into
new and beautiful world as she bade
it all a silent goodbye.
"Butif the time should ever come,
Geofrey was saying as he assisted her
up the steep bank after fastening the
Fairy to its frail mornings when
I can do the habilliments of a gentle
man. "
81 can never answer for papa, re-
piled Tessa, with slight toss Of her
head.
"Well, then, for yourself" f"
A silence, which is so much more
dangerous, so much better under
stood than the power of speech, was
the answer as Tessa looked her fare
well.
x 4
"Well, and so your probation is
ended" exclaimed Reeni Laurie, as
she gave her friend, Tessa Travers,
critical glance as she drew on her
gloves in Mrs. Woodleigh's dressing
room.
"And how apropos it has all hap
pened. Miss Travers, tie heiress,
the young debutant, returns from the
country in the morning, the delicate
and divine Mr.. Woodleigh, from his
foreign travels in the aftcrnooH while
Mrs. Woodleigh, the most devoted
of aunts, gives an impromptu recep-
ton in the evening, in honor of the
two celebrities. 1 should like to
hear you two talk of your travels, y
laughed the gay girl, as she remem-
bered the doleful letters she had re-
ceived from Tessa during her banish-
ment.
"But where has this paragon been
traveling?" asked Tessa, as they de-
scended to the well filled drawing
room,
"Oh, Europe, I supposed Is not
that where every one goes?" came
the answer as the crowd for a mo-
ment separated them.
"About as definite an answer as
Reenie ever givesp laughed Mrs.
Woodleigh, as she met Tessa as she
was entering one of the brilliantly
lighted reception-rooms.
The fresh, plquante beauty, and
naive winning manners of the young
0ebutdnte seemed very attractive to
the 6ldSe ha6itues Of society, and
Tessa was for time completely sur
rounded by a coterie of admirers.
But Mrs. Woodleigh, with tact
seemed a second nature to her, sue
ceededs in few moments in scatter
ing the little crowd as she brings a
fresh claimant for the attention.
"My nephew, Mr. Woodleigh,
Tessa, who considers it his duty to
pay his earliestdeUoirS to Miss Tray
ers.
ga d,ay which is also a pleasure,
believe me, " replied a familiar voice,
and Tessa looked up-up into the
laughing brown eyes Of the handsome
farmer, Geofrey Leigh.
"Mr. Leigh! you here!" she utter
ed in amazement, while her bushes
rivaled the tints of the scarlet-hearted
roses nesting in the flmy laces at
her throat and breast.
"Geoffey III Leigh when on his
travels in search Of health and
strength, but Geoffey Wooaleigh,
where at home to health and friends
restored, wasthe laughing reioinder.
Papa Travers was considerably
startled when Geoffrey Woodleigh
presented himself before him the fol-
lowing morning as a suitor for his
daughters hand.
"But, my dear sirp he began.
"But, my dear sir, " interrupted his
prospective son-in-law, "Tessa has
already given me her promise, we
only await your consent to be happy"
A few explanations followed, and
Geofrey left papa Travers meditat-
ing on the fallacy of all human plans
to meet Tessa standing very suspi-
ciously outside the library door.
''It seems Just like story in nov
els" she said, "and no wonder papa
was surprised, for, Geofrey, who
would have thought of lookingfor-"
cupid in oUeralls, Eh?"
----
They have a mud.hole in Benning-
ton 50 deep that small children are
fraououtlv Loot ga u aud {ba Ho.sJ,o