The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-14

about them in her letters. When yot
are in Vermont, Abner, yon must 60
to see Aunt Abbey"
"Well. | wentto college, and mucf
to my delight, entered in the soph
omore year | got through my first
two years with credit; and, in my
second summer, determined to take
Paulet in my way, and 60 to see
Aunt Abbey.
''Paulet Is 4 very queer little place
with more ups and downs, and wood
mountain sides, and running brooks
than everI saw before. Aunt Abbey
lived in tiny red house, just where
the little Paulet river runs across the
road. and turns, at almost a right an.
gle to its former course. just in
front is high rocky ledge, at the base
Of which the river flows for some dis
tance, and then, directly under high
arched bridge, pours down some thir.
" feet in a pretty little fall.
aunt Abbey gave me a warm
welcome. She was widow, much old.
er than my mother, and lived in the lit.
/ tie red house with her daughter Nal
vina cheerful sensible old maid,
with learning enough for a college
professor OF course we had every.
thing to talk about; and | made ac
! quaintancc with host of new cous
ins, both Hoyts and Marvins. | ob.
served TIA. almost everybody who
called asked about Penelope and the
answer always was, that Penelope
was yer at Deacon Bakers, weay
ing.
Who is Penelopo?' asked, at
last, of my cousin Malvina."
"'Oh Penelope Windcr well,
he's kind Of adopt ed child of ours.
She's an orphan; and when her step
father died she Hadn't any home,
and her mother was great friend
of ma's-so she naturally came to us.
We would like to keep her with Us
ali the time, but she has yer, indie
pendent feelings. Pen has, and likes
to support herself She's splendid
hand at all kinds OF weaving, and
folk. send for her far and near. But
she makes her home with us, ard as
she i, to come home on Saturday
wen hitch up fold bay and go after
her
Il was pretty well disposed to
ike Penelope beforehand; and when
young Doctor 4 nbler. Who was the
bean Of the place, asked Malvinn
i.whc Miss Windor was expected, |
felt hat be had taken an unwarranta,
bic 5erty When | saw Penelope,
ui. !erstood The reason. | felt at
once that we were made for each 9th
er; and | have never changed my
mind. In weeks time we were as
well acquai9tcd as If we had known
each other for years, aud in three
weeks we were engaged.
at was very inprudeut in me !,
said my mother-in-law, demurely.
81 don't know how | became so"
Nor |! Inever could guess. Well,
Aunt Abbey and Malvina both look
ed troubled when we told them OF
it.
! I'm afraid it won't do, children,
said my aunt, Il am, indeed. Per-
maps fought to have foresesn and
prevented it. You have heard of
your uncle Abncrr
40 Mother mentioned him to me,
once, | replied; but she cautioned me
never to speak Of him to father
Just so. | was afraid it was
that wav,' said Aunt Abbey. How
folks can be so inve;erate, | don't
know. Well, Penelope here is your
uncle's only child. You see, her
mother married again after his death
She was left kind Of forlorn with this
baby, and | asked her to come and
stay with me. Old Major Winder he
took a great fancy to her, and-well,
| suppose it was natural enough
Natural for some folks, said Nal
vina, with emphasis.
Well, anyhow, the old man was
very good to her, and gave the child
a good education. But, you see, he
never made a will | usedtO talk to
him about it, and lie always said he
meant to provide for Penelope But
he was taken suddenly one day and
the daughter by the first marriage.
who never could abide Penelope nor
her mother
"' Nor ANYBODY else, but herself
interrupted Penelope. 4 never could
understand bow she could lie Father
Winder's daughter
80 She wasn't much like him, that's
certain; fer swec'er tempered old
gentleman never lived continued nv
aunt Anyhow she took everything;
Pen had hard work to get even her
own mothers things However, she
did get them at last, and then she
came TO us When her own father
died. | did write letter to your faith
er unknown to Penelope; but such
letter as he sent me-. | never dared
let your mother see it, Pen, but III
show it to YOU both now
80 she did 1t was bitter. hard
lettcr-and cruel and unforgiying.
My checks burned with anger and
shame when | read it. Penelope did
not say n word at Grst, but presently
she frightened un
"'Aunt Abbey said she, if could
see Uncle Nathan, Pm sure I'd make
him like me in spite of himself
"' believe YOU would, said I.
Well, 1 don't know-your father
is dreadful SET said my aunt ANY
how Abner, you owe everything to
your father, and you ought not to go
against him.
"Aunt Abbey is right said Pencil
ope, after alittle pause; it won't do,
Abner We must give it up Tor the
present
81 was very unhappy at the idea,
and | dare say said many foolish |
THAT you did y interrupted my
mother.
"Well, Penelope was firm; and |
when we parted she would not even I
promise to write to me. was so
down-bearted all my vacation that
father thought was sick and was
for keeping me at home but | oppos-
sed that plan with all nv might. as