Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-03-03

1
long absence. we've watching for US At
The gate, aud Arabella, with gracious
culdlalily. introduced the stranger, ex-
planning in an aside who he was. or
Course We invited him in, and though.
in consideration of The ateness OF the
hour, he politely declined. he promised
To do himself the pleasure OF calling in
few days.
"lle is very gentlcmanlY and agreea
ble.' said Arabella, with emphasis, as
seated at the table we narrated the events
of the day aud ii must be confessed that
we were all rather elated al the prospect
of having our solitude invaded now and
then by this same gcntlemanly aud agree
able person.
Beyond the simple fact that he was
a farmer llill's nephew from college, We
knew nothing Whatever about him. but
| his Lace and voice were Ot themselves
sufficient To inspire confidence. and to
/ lore many weeks went by we had como
10 regard him rs our right hand man.
| Arabc..a consulted him on all matters ol
business. and Grace and l We're constant
| ~ asking his advice about gardening,
while Frank, who had set her heart on
raising a brood of chickens. held animat
( ed conferences with him ns 10 The best
WAYS OF promuIimS the health and hap
riness oi her icllhercl pets; Ut least
when the lwO sat Tor bali an hour at II
time On The back porch in the twilight
watching lhe llttlc creatures nesting un.
der the mothers wings; it was naturally
TO be supposed that they formed the
chiet subject ot disscI,l>on
1t is hardly polite To trouble MI
Strong so much about those chickens.
Frances" AraLe.la would cay. ~ col.
Iege man ike him Is mol suppo,e TO be
very familiar with the raising OF poultry"
Then il is high lime he turned his at
tenIion to il =" said Flank. with mischief
lurking in her eyes.
Another case Of annoyance 10 our elder
sister was the simplicity OF Franks
toilets.
Il do wish. my dear Frances. that you
would make yourself loo& lille more
sly !ish. These young co.icsians are not
accustomed to seeing IIdic, dressed like
Kitchen girls
But Frank declared that hall the pleas
ure OF living in the country WAS The
privilege ol dispensing with style, aud
persisted in wearing ca,ico dresses and
white aprons.
don't think Ar.,LelIa had the least in.
cinaIion 10 Try match maxim, or any.
thing OF the sort, she was simply aux
ious to have her three girls make q good
impression; but her anxiety was opprcS
sive. and /. rs well ~ Frank. occasional
Is rebelled. MIR. Strong. l was sure.
was TOO sensible To like us any better in
silk dresses and pauniers than in plain
calico. SO followed franks example.
and certainly the sight of the calico did
mol seem 10 distuIbc him in the least
don't know what wc should have done
without him that summer. II was lone
Iy enough at times aS il WAS. for our lew
neighhors were so scattered that we saw
but little OF them and even our city friends
seldom came Tor more than n days stay,
80 the Young mans visits were doubiy
welcome. In addition to being an enter
tanning talker he was fine singer. and
was always ready To Join US in song;
he brought the newest books and reviv-
ed our love oil botany by constant con
lributions OF wild flowers. and regular.
ly on Sunday he escorted US all TO church
So the summer wlncd and autumn
came. and we began 10 lear that our
pleasan. friend would soon be leaving
Us for college Once or twice We had
bfoached the subject, but he seemed in
clined to be little reserved about ii,
and we let it drop.
Il don't see why he has to 20 At al. "
said Grace, "hc knows enoug nov"
''lIe is certainly very Intelligent Tor
man of his age, said Arahela. "but OF
course he wants 10 finish his studies. |
wonder wha, he intends to be. 1t Is
strange that he does moi tell Us more in
regard 10 himself and his plans"
May be Frank can tell Us" said
Oracle archly.
curious little smile was playing
about Franks mouth
ale left college n year ago and is cx
pecting soon 10 take a partner and begin
business. believe" she said. demurelY.
Arabella looked up in surprise.
why. thought his uncle spoke a, il
he were sill student"
There WAS some mistake about that |
think" said Frank The larmer was
speaking oil his nephew tph H'll, not
of Ralph Strong"
"And who is Ralph Strong then ?" ask
ed Arabella in anrazemcnt.
"Raph Strong is farmer Hills hired
man." said Frank, iu,t as if ;he fact were
something to be proud Of.
"What !" cried Arabclla. sharpely.
''IIe is farmer lIl's hired man. re.
peated Frank.
The impudent puppy" exclaimed
Arabella. completely thrown off her
dignity by this rather sta. Ting announce.
ment