Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-31

, vas oppressive, and 1, as well As Frank, ocea-
sionally reoelled; Mr.. Strong, was sure, was
and panniere than in plain calico. So fol-
lowed Franks example, and certainly the sight
least. l don't know what we should have done
without him that summer. 1t was lonely
enough at times as IL was, for our few neigh
bsrs were 30 scattered that We saw but little Of
them, and even our city friends seldom came
for more than days stay, 80 the young man
visits were doubly welcome. In addition to be-
ing an entertaining taiker he was a fine singer
and was always ready To join US in a song; he
brought the newest books and revived our loye
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 hogan to fear that our pleasant friend
would coon be leaving US for college once or
twice we had preached the subject, but he
seemed inclined to be a littl, reserved about II,
end We let il drop.
- don't see why he has to go at ALL said
! Grace, ''he knows enough now"
90 He IL certainly very Intelligent for man of
his age, ;" said Arabella, "but OF course he wants
t. finish his studies. wonder what he intends
! to be. 1t is strange that he does not tell US
more in regard TO himself and his plans"
| " May be Frank can tell US" said Oracle,
! a-chly.
\ curious little smile was Playing about
He left college a year ago and is expecting
soon to take partner and begin business, /
believe" she said dUInurely.
AEabelis looked up in surprise.
/ Why, thought his uncle spoke as il he
| were still a student"
II here was some mistake about tina, think -
said frank. The farmer was speaking OF his
nephew, Ralph Hill, not of Ralph strong
bella in amusement.
"Rslph Strong is farmer HIPS hired man -
said Frank, just as IL the fact were something
TO be proud OF.
What" cried Arabella, sharply.
HE q farmer Hills hired man" repeated
Frank.
"The iDpudent puppy" exclaimed ArabsI-
/ la. conn letely thrown of her dignity by this
rather startling announcement.
"WOuin't base impOster' be a more appro-
| pirate term suggested Frank, tormentiDgly.
"He certainly cannot expect to receive
him any longer as guest" Arabella went on,
Ignoring the amendment.
I'VE might possibly receive him as one Of the
family, thorgh," said Frank, turning to the
kA dim perception of the truth began to draw
on Ara bella.
ait is not possible that he has had the as
surance TO ask yOn 10 marry him?'' she said
iTeeZingly.
why not? lie loves me and [ love him."
said Frank, braveIy.
This was a little too much. No words could
adequately express our CONSERVATION, and We
al three sat and gaEed at her in silence.
at is just too bad" sighed Grace, at last,
with tears in her eyes, otis going to spoil all
our nice times"
alt is a very unpleasant mistake from begin
ming to end ;" said Arabells, with an effort 10
compose herself but IL proves concldsively
that Ralph Strong, whatever else he may be, is
no gentleman"
.Nou are wrong there" cried Frank, with
flashing eyes; and then, like the true woman
she is, she bravely took up the absent ones de-
fence.
It seems that the nephew, Ralph Hill, whom
the farmer went TO call on that memorable eve
ming, was absent at the time. Sc Ralph Strong
was sent in his place. Accepting our cordial
invitation TO visit US, without the least uspicion
that We were taking him for other than he was,
he had come and gone week after week, in bliss
tul ignorance, until one evening, while conhd
ing TO Frank some bits OF personal history, he
CHANGED to discover the mistake we were max
ing, and was eager at once to explain; but
Frank, partly from a love OF mischief and
parry fOT fear the explanation would put an end
to his coming, she begged him to keep quiet for
awhile. so the fault is all NINE" she said,
land now you may call him what you like
farmer Hills nephew or farmer Hill's hired
man-to me he is and has been from the first.
simply Ralph Strong, tie truest and best man
have ever known"
And all Arabella's arguments failed to con-
vince her that ploughiDg and resping for farmer
Htll had in any way lessened his manhood, or
that in marrying farmer she would be doom
ing herself TO life of daily drudgery. So
there was nothing more 10 be said. She was OF
age, and had perfect right 70 do she pleased;
but IT seemed so odd that Frank, who had re- |
fused more offers than she could well remem-
Der, was. after all, going to marry farmer Hills |
hired man.
1t came to light little later that he was him
self the owner OF a handsome farm, and had |
hired himself to farmer Hill chiefly for the pur-
pose OF learning how to manage il, having dis
covered, on leaving college, that he knew far
more Of astronomy than OF agriculture; but
even this modifying fact could not restore Ara
bella's compOsure.
Father and mother came home in the fall,
and we all went back to tOwn-and at Christ
mas there was a wedding. ATabella declared
that IL was a disgrace TO the family; but father
who is quick at reading men, said Ralph Strong
was worthy OF any woman, and that Frank had
shown her good sense.
They have been married three wears now
and Grace and 20 every summer to visit them.
home a Eden md Fra r il
happy as queen. To be sure, ehe has some
care, as every wife and mother must have; but
cant see that she is one bit more OF drudge
than any city woman and, as Tor her husband
he grows nObler and better every day, as every
true man must who has a true wife to help him
Arabena has not yet been to see them, but |
don't think her injured dignity can hold out
much longer; for Frank with the sweet forgive
ness Of her nature, has named her baby for her,
and daintier ''baby Bell" was never seem
They are going to bring her to town soon, and
Grace and feel sure that she will prove little
peacemakeT.
Speaking OF Arabella reminds me that last
summer we met farmers Hills nephew himself
the other Ralph. They say he is rich; but
poor fellow, he is greatly to be pitied, for he
not only has weak nerves but weak head as
well; and even Ar,bela-wordly minded as she
is-could she once see him, would be quite wiz
ing TO acknowledge that Frank had made a
happy mistake in taking the hired man instead.
---s~.
\ WONDERFUL CAvE.-In the range of
mountains in western North Carolina, known
as the Fork Range" most sin gulsr phenom-
enOn exists. 1t is a Lrsdttiag cdrs In the sum-
IGer months a current of air comes from il so
strongly that person can't walk against it,
viii in the winter the suction is Just as great
The cool air from the mountain IN the st Il mer
Is felt for miles, IN direct line from the mouth
OF the cave. At times a most unpleasant odor
is emitted upon the current from dead carcasses
OF animals sucked in and killed by the violence
The loss Of cattle and stock in that section in
winter IL accounted for in this way; they range
too near the mouth OF the cave, and the current
from Inhalation TO eXhalation be gins, the air is
hlted with various hairs OF animals: not unfre-
quently bones and whole CaTcasses are seen
miles from the place. The air has been known
20 change materially in temperature during eN-
halSuonr from quite cool to unpleasantly hot,
withering vegetation within reach, and accom-
panied by a terrible roaring, gurgling sound,
as pot boiling. 1t is unaccounted for by sci
entinc men who have examined it, though no
exploration can take place. 1t is feared
by many that volcanic eruption may break
forth there some time. Such things have oc-
Cured