Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-01

We must stop the train! We must do
something" l calculated, turning to Ara
bella, who, after properly thanking our
informant, had followed me at her usual
dgnified pace; but her undisturbed air
eXasperated me, and without waiting for
an answer, hurried to the other end of
the car in search of the conductor
There's no help for it, miss" said that
polite official. III put you off at the
nearest station, that's only three miles on,
and You can easily get some one to bring
you back
! Small consolation it was, but as the last
up-train had already passed us there was
no alternative; and presently we were
standing fOrlOrn and desolate on the plat
! form of the Bedford station, three miles
from home, and the - shades of night -
gathering about rs with unwelcome rapid.
/ ity. Two unkempt boys, with their hands
IN their pockets, stood staring stupidity at
us. Dun know, mum, said one of them
in answer to our anxious inquiries, " there
amt nobody round here Us keeps hosses
'cept farmer Hill; and having pointed out
farmer Hills house, staggered away and
/ left Us to our own devices. A tiresome
/ tramp across the plowed field brought US
at last to the farmers door, and here it was
]
selves to hum " till RAJ ph co, Id come
( to our rescue. Five minutes later the old
man reappeared, tanning himself vigor-
ously with his broad -brimmed hat.
Here's Ralph Strong; he'll take you
over" And this was our Introduction
/ for. as he spoke. a spring wagon drew up
at the gate, and the bronze-faced driver
with gallant bow, informed us that he
was ut our service. Evidently farmer
/ Hill 5 nephew, whatever might be the state
of his " narves,' was a man of intelli-
gence and retinement-We made that dis
/ cOvery before we were n mile on the way
and so entertaining did he prove that,
tired and hungry as we were, we We're
half sorry when the ride came to an end
Frank and Grace, alarmed ut our long ab-
senea, were watching for Us at the gate,
and Arabella, with gracious cordiality, in
traduced the stranger. explaining in an
aside who he was. OF course, we invited
him in, and though, in consideration of
the lateness of the hour, he politely de
clined. he promised to do himself the pleas
ure of calling in Il few days.
- He is very gentlemanly and agreea-
bic, > said Arabella, with emphasis, rs seat
ed ut the table we narrated the events of
the day; and it must be confessed that we
we've all rather elated at the prospect Of
having our solitude invaded now and then
/ by this same gentlemanly and agreeable
person.
Beyond the simple fact that he was far
mer's Hill nephew from college, we knew
nothing whatever about him, but his face
and voice were of themselves sufficient to
inspire confidence, and before many weeks
went by we had become to regard him a>
our right hand man. Arabella consulted
him on all matters of business and Grace
and | We're constantly asking his advice
about gardening, while Frank. who had
set her heart on raising brood of chick
ems. held animated conferences with him
as to the best ways of promoting the health
and happiness of her feathered pets; nj
least when the two sat for half an hour at
4 time on the back porch in the twilight
Watching the little creatures nesting un-
der thc,mother's wings, it was naturally to
be supposed that they formed the chief
subject of discussion.
1t is hardly polite to trouble Mr..
Strong 50 much about those chickens, Fran
ces.n Arabella would say. - \ college man
like him Is not supposed to be very faml-
lar with the raising of poultry.
Then it is high time he turned his at-
tention to it." said Frank, with mischief
lurking in her eyes
Another case of annoyance to our elder
sister WAS the simplicity of Frank teiletS.
:" | do wish. my dear Frances, YOU would
make yourself look little more stylish.
These Young collegians are not accustom-
ed to see Young ladies dressed like kitchen
girls"
But Frank declared that half the pleas
ure of living in the country was the privi-
lege of dispensing with style, and persisted
in wearing calico dresses and white
aprons
l don't think Arabclla had the least in
clnation to try matchmaking. or anything
of the sort, she was simply anxious to have
her three girls make Il good impression
but her anxiety was oppressive, and /, Il,
well rs Frank occasionally rebelled. Mr.
Strong was sure, was too sensible to like
Us any better in silk dresses and paniers
than in plain calico. So followed Frank
example, and certainly the sight of calico
did not seem to disturb him in the least.
don't know what we should have done
without him that summer. 1t was lonely
enough at times rs it was. for our few
neighbOrs We're so scattered that we saw
but little of them, and even our city friends
seldom came for more than Il DAYS stay.
so the Young man visits were doublv vel
come In addition to being an entertain
inc talker, he was fine singer, and was
always ready to Join us in Il song; he
brought the newest books and revived our
love of botany by constant contributions OF
wild flowers, and regularly on Sunday
evening he escorted us all to church
So the summer waned and autumn came
and we began to fear that our pleasan,
friend would soon be leaving Us for col.
lege. Once or twice we had broached the
subject. but he seemed inclined to be lit
tie reserved about it, and we let it drop.
" / don't see why he has to go at all, ;
said Grace, 'he knows enough now"
" He is certainly very intelligent for &:
man of his age" said Arabella, but o
course he wants to finish his studies.
wonder what he intends to be- 1t is strange
himself and his plans
May be Frank can tell us, - said Oracle
archly.
, A curious little smile was playing about
Franks mouth.
He left college year ago, and is cx.
pecting soon to take Il partner and begin
business, | believe" she said demurely,
, Arabella looked up in surprise.
why, thought his uncle spoke us j.
lie were still Il STUDENT
| There was some mistake about that,
Think said Frank. The farmer was
/ speaking of his nephew, Ralph Hill, no
/ of Ralph Strong"
And who is Raj phi Strong then?" asked
Arabella in amazement.
; Ralph Strong is farmer Hills hirec
man" said Frank, just as if the fact wer,
something to be proud of.
: "Whatr cried Arabella, sharply.
He is farmer Hills hired man, y repeat
: ed Frank.
The impudent puppy" exclaimed Ar
abella, completely thrown off her dignit,
+ by this rather startling announcement
Wouldn't base impostor be NOR,
S appropriate term?" suggested Frank tor