The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-19
RENSIE'S REVENGE.

IL WIS only common little country
cottage, with nothing attractive or pic
or climbing roses, or scented geraniums,
only plain grass plat in front, covered
with golden buttercups and clustering,
white daisies, huttering and dancing in
the summer breeze, and lifting up their
heads lovingly to the bright sunshine
of heaven. The house was old and
weatherbeatea. poor enough inside and
out nothing of art enriched the scene.
but nature had been most prodigal in
the magnificent scenery around, glo-
rious and God-given.
A rich, golden sunset was lighting
mp th0'verdant sides of sold Kirby !"
Mountain, gliding the surrounding
landscape, Frightening the yellow Of
the, ,corn-felds, and the amber hue of
the wheat and oats, now fast ripening.
Masses of gorgeous clouds lay piled up
in grand, fantastic beauty. and now, as
the snn was slowly sinking low, and
still slower, throwing into dim, uncer-
tain indistinctness the encircling hills,
q changed color comes over all, and
mountains, hills, and distant woods
take ON the deep, purple glow, thrilling
all with it's charm, so indescribably
tender and beautiful 'Tis the soul of
the landscape exhaling.
Widow Tutes stood at her garden gate
watching anxiously the distant road
from town.
Poor boyl fear he will be sadly
tired tonight, for the day has been hot
and snltry, and the roads dusty and
hard. She turned away and slowly
walked back to the cottage door, and
into the little room where the evening
meal was laid, awaiting the absent son.
The tea-table, covered with snowy
linen, stood invitingly arrayed, directly
under. the vine e-covered window, whose
branches shaded the room, and cast
refreshing c0olnGss, while the fragrance
of the honeysuckle stole in the room
with every passing breeze. The sup
per, simple as it was, might tempt the
appetite of an epicure. Fresh, deli
cious cakes of Indian corn, luscious,
ripe blackberries, rich, golden cream,
and new butter, while two large pitch
ers were placed at the head of the table,
the one filed with fresh milk, the other
with pure, sparkling spring water. A
better meal no one could desire, and all
the product of the little farm, titled in
the leisure hours of the widows son.
The mother glanced compIacently at
the tea-table, then going to the cup
board, took down her little black
had Weakness, it was for a good cup
of tea. A nice cup of '' Young Hyson
was her daily solace. This night her
tea canister was empty But then,
Rensselaer, was coming home, and he
would be sure 10 bring her some. She
was sure of this, for he never neglected
anything that would contribute to her
comfort.
She glanced wishfu1ly down the road.
Sure enough there he was just coming
round the hill Her eye frightened
r. I~o1~ox1 ~ b;,-o
well she might, for he was a son of
whom any mother might well be proud,
"a noble specimen of a brave New
England boy. Tall, well-formed, with
a bright, manly look, and frank, open
brow Now, he drives up the cottage
lane as rapidly as his horse can go, for
it is no blooded nag, and the vehicle
from which he dismounts ls-a peddler's
cart I
Yewgmy son. / have been waiting a
long time for you, and l most feared
you was not coming tonight:
ST vas detained at the village, moth
er. Istopped at the store to get you
some tea"
Rensselaer, stopped suddenly, and his
mother perceived, for the first time,
that hefsboy looked pale and care worn.
"WAat is the matter-what ails you,
my son ~ said she.
Nothing, nothing, mother dear,"
said he, evasively. "We Will sup
now. ,,
said the youth. Look at the chan
ging, glowing hues !"
After pause, he continued:
sNature is grand and lovely beyond
expression. She is prodigl IN her
good gifts, while NAH alone, Is mig
gard -
The dying rays Of the sun Lit up the
couple with q blaze of light and radi-
ance, and cleaned as glory round the
head of the aged dame IS she looked
admiringly on her stalwart son. -
Carl, the noble Newfogndlano;
wagged his tail approvingly. and
as to say:
"Chsnge the subject I'm ready for
supper I"
They entered the humble abode, and
silently seated themselves at the sa9ie,
and Rensselaer, reverently invoked
blessing on the evening repass.
Mother" said the youth, after
short silence, ssmother, I have not oeen
very successful this trip. and as was
coming home, called into squire
NuhiPs store, and asked him 70 trusc
mo 4oE utbLe TEA auu HuSAA 80 80
and" continued Rensselaer,, his nne
face flushing, q he refused to trust me.
and not only that, but he drove me
from the store, with harsh, contempsu-
GUS epithets. All this, too, IN the pres
ence of his daughter, Miss Clara, and
do assure you, mother, her proud up
curled with intense scorn as she looked
at me, while her father called me
poor, low peddler. Mother, his gray
hairs only prevented me from telling
him just what I thought of him but
resisted the temptation, and left the
store in silence, vowing some time TO
be even with Squire Nnhil ! So, mother,
you must do without your tea for o
while longer"
Rensselaer, rose, and strode nervOusly
to the door, and stood gazing out on
the few sterile acres Of land-his scanty