Ellsworth American., 1874-02-19

the nother-in-laW aggraVatinyiy.
"And such swarms Of mosquitoes" +"
added Arabclla.
''I am sure we have mosquitoes
enough in town." said Frank quickly ;
land as for kerosene oil, I'll agree TO
keep the lamps in order"
Lets go.'' said l with growing
zeal.
Lets go," echoed Grace. And so
overwhelming were the arguments we
brought TO bear on Arabella that by
the time the discussion ended she Ii ad
yielded her consent; and before a
month went by, we found ourselves
actually at housekeeping in Il pictures
que cottage not far from Dexter Sta
ton. As for the locality of Dexter
1t will not be indicated on the maps
vet awhile, there being not more than
SIX houses in the place, all told bot
We liked it none the less. OF course
there were Inconvenience, especially
for the first two days. when, owing TO
the non-arrival OF our kitchen-ware
and china. We were somewhat puzz led
r 10 know how to furnish fourth our
board, but they only served TO add
zest 10 the enterprise.
Jolly, isn't 2" said l. presiding as
gracefully as possible at battered
peach can in place of a teapot.
"it is just fun" said Grace, using
her fingers for fork, as she helped
herself to sardines.
81 wish you could find some more
iady-like words. my dear" remarked
Arabella, calmly slipping her tea from
teriacotta vase, and managing TO
maintain her native dignity in spite of
the fact of being seated on an inverted
wash-tub.
Jolly doesn't half express it," said
Frank, taking lingering looks at the
landscape as she buttered her bread
with penknife 1T is blessedness il.
self; and when things were fairly
put TO rights even Arabella was
forced 10 agree with her.
One day it was found necessary for
some of us TO go 10 town TO order
household supplies, and as Grace had
headache and Frank was still too
much IN love with the country TO care
for sight of the city. Arabelia and |
decided 10 take the morning express
and make the needed purchases. We
had fully expected 10 be at home bo-
fore evening, but IN one way and an
other We were detained until there WAS
barely time TO catch the SIX O'Clock
train. 1t was only an hours ride how.
ever, and with delicious sense of res,
we shook of the dust of the city and
gave ourselves up SO thoroughly TO
the pleasant anticipation of soon being
home, that we scarcely heard the sta
! tions called.
I'VE must be near Dexter" said
Arabella at last, rousing from a state
OF sem-unconsciousness, and picking
up her handbag.
Beg pardon, a'am," said voice
behind us, but We have just left Dex.
ter.
1T can't be possible :" cried |, ru sh.
ing irantically TO the rear of the car,
and mentally wondering why in the
world We had not taken the opposite
side where we might have seen the
name even if we had failed 10 hear it
called; but regrets were unavaiIing.
for sure y enough there was Dexter re-
ceding in the dim distance like q dream
Of the past.
"Why, We shan't get home tonight +.
We must stop the train. We must
do something" l calculated, turning
to Arabella, who, after properly thank
ing our informant, had followed me at
her usual digniiied pace; but her un-
disturbed air exasperated me, and
without waiting for an answer, | hur-
ried 10 the other end of the car in
search of the conductor.
There's no help for it, miss" said
that polite official. IN put YOU oil
at the next station, that's only three
miles on, and you can easily find 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 present.
ly We were standing forlorn and desc.
late on the platform Of the Bedford
station, three miles from home, and
the ''shades Of night" gathering about
US with unwelcome rapidity. Twoun-
kempt boys, with their hands in their
pockets, stood staring stupidity at us
dun know, mum, said one of them,
in answer TO our anxious inquiI les,
"there amt nobody round here as
keeps hosses, 'cept farmer Hill J" and
having pointed out farmer Hills house
staggered away, and left US to our
own devices. A tiresome tramp across
a plowed field brought US at last u
the farmers door, and here it was thai
We were told to walk in and make our
selves ''to hum" till Ralph could
come TO our rescue. Five minutes lat
er the old man appeared, tanning him
self vigorously with his broad brimmed
hat.
Here's Ralph Strong; he'll take
you over" And this our introduc
ton, for. as he spoke, a spring wagor
drew up At the gate, and the bronze
faced driver, with gallant bow, in.
formed US that he was at our service
Evidently farmer Hills nephew, what
ever might be the state Of his ''nar
YES. was man of intelligence ant
| retinement-we made that discover,
before We were mile on the way
and SO entertaining did he prove that
tired ana hungry as We were, We wers
half sorry when the ride came to al
end. Frank and Grace, alarmed a
: our long absence, were watching 70
: us at the gate, and Arabella, will
gracious cOrdiality, introduced tn,
stranger, explaining in an aside wh'
he was. OF course, we invited him 10
, and though. in consideration of tn,
lateness Of the hour, be politely de
clined, he promised to do himself th,
pleasure Of calling in few days.
'sHe is verv yentlemanly and aoreea