The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-27
BESSIE CAMPTON'S FAITH,

Julie II. Burnett, in Horpe,'s Magazine TO,
June.
BESSIE CAMPTON's FAITH.
BY LIMA MARSHALL.
think you would have known her name was
Bessie. 1t just suited her. from the time she
doubled up two tiny fists and opened two soft
brown eyes curiouSly upon the new world, until
that fair summer morning as she stood in the
old verandah. under the roses. with the bright
shine lighting up the golden CLEANS in her bonny
brown curls The brown eyes were just as soft a:
of old and the baby dimples still fingered around
her mouth athoug h seventeen summers had come
and gone since first she was laid in Judge Camp,
tons arms. his wiie's dying gift
Health. beauty social position and the fondest
admiration of father and four grown brothers had
only developed the better nature of the young girl
and caused her bright face and winning ways to be
everywhere loved.
Her brothers friends were hers also and many
OF the honest farmer youth. of the neighborhood
hopes in regard to the beautiful mistress Of
Campton Holm as the great old house. with its
stately elms was everywhere known. Among
found 4 warmer welcome. He was particular
invorite with the old. white haired Judge who ad-
mired him for the manly Independence with which
h. labored to support an invalid mother and the
pcr>rverinc ardor with which he applied himself to
the study law.
Playniates in childhood. Arthur and Bessie car
Al
sympathzed with him in his manly endeavors to
overcome adverse fortune, and many sacrifice
was made easier to the young man, many page of
Blackstone took deeper meaning because of her
slSterly encouragement and words of praise.
Her oldest brother. Ralph Campton. was a thirty
ing merchant in Boston. His wife, many years his
Junior. gay and fashionable, had been spending
several months at CamptOn HOm. and had in
sisted upon carrying Bessie back with her to her
city home. The pictured delights of the great
outside world. into which she had never entered
We're very attractive to the young girl. and, with
her fathers reluctant consent she eagerly accepted
the opportunity: Mrs. Campton wished to take a
short trip to visit an only sister and induced Bes-
Sic to also accompany her there. they could then
very conveniently continue upon their journey to
Boston.
The sun shone out bright and fair upon this first
day of September and the corded trunks and vari-
ous travelling paraphcrnalia scattered near told
that very soon the ladies would be upon their
way.
Ii was Bessies first real Journey and she could
not restrain sort of homesick feeling she Wis
tied each familiar spot.
Standing in the verandah. in her pretty gray
travelling dress, with the late falling above
her head and the sunshine glanciny through the
leaves she made too fair Il picture for Arthur
Doraine as he fastened up the graveled walk.
so You are really going. Bessie?" he said half
re-retfn(ly as he Joined her. But you have a
Very dolorous look for one going off on pleasure
Have I. Arthur laughed Bessie We'll. to
haunts would be altered by the time return. Old
Jack Frost will have visited my dear old elms and
nothing but bare branches will greet me-
Your friends will not be changed Bessie
Warm hearts can easily dispel the gioominess Of
Nature. almost tcnderly replied Arthur.
To be sure: but you know how l love these
leaves quietly luter down, and it makes me almost
sad TO think that this autumn for the first time in
my life. will gather the leaves without my watch
ing and sympathizing. l wonder" musingy, as if
she had forgotten the young mans presence-"I
wonder if they will miss me.
There now, Arthur. have been talking moon
alma. TO- har co1l 7 l,,,xu
you want to laugh
Indeed no. am selfish enough. though to re-
,.ret your going. We shall all miss You dreadfully'
and Arthur placed his hand over the plump little
one resting upon the balustrade.
- Indeed. hope yOu will. There comes papa
now for me to 60 bid farewell to mammals grave
YOU won't see me again until we start. Marion
Is almost ready.
Farewell, Bessie I-wont be able to wait
Don't allow city sights and friends to cause
entire foreetfuness of the past and Arthur clasped
the dainty little hand in both his own and turned
and walked rapidly away. As Bessie watched his
rctreaing figure feeling akin to pain came
her and she slowly turned and joined her father
Arm in arm parent and child visited the little
Enclosure where the Camptons for many genera
side the grassy mound and kissed the tiny white
blooms over the grave and with fearful eyes MUIR
INJURED her farewell
When they returned to the house Marion Camp
ton awaiting them. The final farewells were
soon spoken and the family coach rolled away.
An hour after Judge Campton was busy over his
and both hearts already aching for the gentle
girl who had left them.
The carriage containing Bessie and her sister-in-
law rolled rapidly along and about nightfall they
reached their destination. The carriage returned,
as the travellers intended taking the cars from
Foaming Brook to Boston.
Mrs. Camptons sister resided in one of the most
silent and solitary mountain villages A dissipated
son had driven her from the hustle and temptations
of the city; but she had scarcely succeeded in in
adv seized him and in few weeks he
more. Mrs. Mendon. under this new affection,
with no one but a family servant, resolved to re-
main apart from the world and seek in this quiet.
mountain retreat. peace for a broken heart.
She received her sister and Bessie with delight.
They had only intended remaining few days. but
the rare beauty of the mountain enchanted them
and they fingered several weeks. At length Ralph
Campton grew impatient and wrote so beseeching-
ly that they resolved upon immediate departure.
The day before they babe final alden they went
out for one last ramble among the hills. Bessie
ever enthusiastic over Nature, ran up and down.
lcaping, as merry child, from one messy rock to
another. shouting over precipices to hear the echo
and wreathing her head with the trailing vines. In
the exuberance of youth health and spirits she ran
far ahead OF her companions, and at length threw
herself, tired out upon a projecting rock to await
their arrival. Unknown to her she had com
paniOn.
But few feet away. his arms clasped upon his
breast. his back against lofty pine. stood gen.
wondering if he did not behold mountain nymph
that his first movement would cause to vanish.
Evidently not, for she was soon Joined by two
earthly mortals. by no means possible to be mis-
taken. flush OF pleasure and surprise came
over his countenance as he caught view of the
faces of the two ladies. and, as they came nearer,
he advanced with outstretched hands.
is it possible! Do you not know me:''
Mrs. Mendon in a moment recognized the
stranger, and, greeting him heartily turned to Mrs.
Campton.
" M you certainly have not forgotten Greg
s'No. indeed said Mrs. Campton. IT have
TO remember him He has nfad mo
often enough with his snakes and snails to cause
me to remember him. and she laughingly extend
Gregory Marshall smiled one of those beautiful
smiles habitually grave men SO often have, and
warmly shook the dainty hand.
At her sisters approach Bessie had darted for
ward but the sight of a stranger SO near embar-
raised her, and she had turned her back upon the
group. -
Marshall this is Raphs only sister. Bessie, love,
have care. Don't venture too near this innocent
looking mountaineer. He always carries his
pockets full Of snakes, and spiders abound in his
hat. I'll wager now he has few choice toads in
his handkerchief, merrily ratified Mrs: Campton.
Marshall smiled again over his friends raiflery,
and acknowledged the novel introduction to the
wood nymph with becoming grace and far more
ease than could Bessie remembering her wild,
flowing locks and vine -decked head.
Mrs. MendOn remarked:
Bessie, I am proud to introduce as a very old
friend one of the finest naturalists Of the age II
you are interested in such things expect Prof
Marshall can show us some rare specimens now. -
II should be SO glad, said Bessie.
Marshall expressed himself delighted to show
the few specimens he had collected regretting that
nroaching the wonderful at all to disclose t.
them. : 10 IT,
carefully lifting the lid of small ebony case
Iesung on the ground. he exhibited some black
object which caused a cry of terror from Mrs
Campton
This; ladies', is the finest specimen have evel
seen OF the Lucanus cerrusi Perhaps you have read
OF it under the name Of tag-beetie.F
enture to touch 1t.