Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-30
Hop VILLA,

years, du0 81 lOIlS ago We were cl8SSInatcS,
sworn chums. In the interim / had been
knocked abaut, the shuttle-cock Of fortune
until At last the capricious dame gave me
the means Of coming home-that is to
America-with the prospect Of ending my
days here. / said had not seen Luke
Swinton for thirty years; and yet when he
and / accidentally jostled each other on
Wall ST., soon after my arrival. there was
enough Of the old face left for me to recog-
Ilize it.
= You are Luke Swinton,' / said, and
held out my hand.
And you are-' He look inquiringly
and his palm slowly extended, touched
mine with a double clasp, till I filed up
the sentence:
James Ashburtsn'
No want Of cordiality when these words
fell on his ear. TO think / did not know
you!' said be. But thirty years make
many changes, and yours has been Irov-
ing life, by all accounts. You shall tell me
everything by-and-by.' Q
I shook my head Mine would be too
long story to detail; but you may fill it
up from the outline. went away poor !;
I have not returned rich, though with
enough to supply bachelors wants
4 am sorry you are bachelor, my dear
fellow said my old mate, cycling me COM
'passionateiy. But there is a bright side
to everything and you can 60 home with
me to dinner without its being necessary to
ask permission !; moreover, you can give
orders for your baggage to be forwarded
to Hop Villa, my little place out Of town,
without fear that your other half win lodge
detainer. Depend on it. shall not soon
part with you.' ". -''i
+" And can you really give such an invita-
ton without the cognizance Of the lady
who owns you ? o, happy Benedict CON
tinued I, laughing: tell me whore can
find such a partner, and will forthwith
join your fraternity -,'"''
Don't talk rashly, James; but rather
make all the preparations you need for a
long visit, and join ME two hours hence
Henamed the place of meeting. Both
were punctual, and We duly arrived at Hop
Villa. s'sa!" 9V< 3H+ ;i.Hi3+
did not expect to see such lovely do
main as that which called my friend mas
ter, and its extent as far exceeded my an
ticipations as did its beauty. so this is
your home p I asked, my face expressing
both surprise and pleasure. .t
Yes, all is really mine these boundaries
enclose. I see you wonder how it came to
be 80; but do not like to begin long
story before dinner-so be patient while
longer ,i'oi3A @.''4t ''f'" t'i' -. :.
We were near the house when we came
upon the gardener, who was examining the
withered remains Of an old hop-vine.
Il rs it quite dead, Scott p asked my
friend. .3'' 'aSsH '.''@ ''F9
quite, sir. Shall remove it2.
Il suppose you must but feel sorry to
give the order. Remember, you procure
and plant another in its place Immediately.
must not have Hop Villa without one
vine.' f a.aj.-rt 'i' aiH5ip . i--'Ys
Il have been wondering, ssidI, what in
duced you to give this charming place the
name it bears-if, indeed, you acted AZ It's
sponsor. s!,t as' ."affa t'''']s .,-s
'Ah! thereby hangs a-rather the-taie;
but wait till after dinner at' -.
Il must say felt very forlorn, In COM
parison with my friend, when ! saw the
joyous greeting he received from q lovely
matron and half-a-dozen boys and girls
varying in age from six to eighteen. In
spite Of his mock lugubrious expression Of
face, when he informed me that these form.
ed only portion of his responsibilities,
for one olive-branch was at college and the
youngest tendril Of his household vine
would come in with the desert, one might
see that his home deserved the name. 1t
was pleasant to receive sort OF reflected
edition of all their cordially, and l fell
my heart warm in return, though knew
their welcome was for Lukes sake, MOI
, from personal friendship towards me. i
Scott is just grubbing up the old hop
vine, Nellie, said my friend to his loving
wife. HN s4.H3 fsI
| This remark called forth quitesa chorus
| Of reeretful EXPRESSION, and made mo eel