The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-06-09

As the autumn tWln&nb pegau 20 fall, her
tllpnghts became busy IS 4 woman will, az
tfnies.Jf III 8 III
| Uncle, she said, turning suddenly towards
Che old gentleman, what sort Of house is
rs Wen, aid 'UnSle Ben, rsaectively, IT'S
a cottage, I;should say
GA modern cottage ?"
WE'LL no rather Of the antique order than
Otherwise
.s'soh, cried Rachel, I'm glad ]. despise
those news, stiff, formal places, that looks as
If they were merely to be admired, not lived
in and enjoyed. Uncle, what are you laugh
! ing afro bua
AT your curiosity, my DEAR replied the
old gentleman.
Then ]. WON'T ask another question, said
Rachel, resolutely.
But she fully atoned for that deprivation by
sxetching on the tablets Of her own fancy an
epdless variety Of little Gothic structures,
| with bay windows, and trellises covered with
climbing roses and honeysuckles while
Uncle Benedict watched her from behind the
| screen Of his newspaper, with the queerest of
expressions on his brown old face
= TIM almost Sorry commenced the thing
he said to himself. If should be disap-
pointed in her But, pooh it's the only way
to find out if she's worth my boys love-
Presently the numbering old carriage came
to astand-still butte Rachel's surprise, in
front Of no fairy cot, Or low-eaved edifce sur
rounded by verandahs and flower parterres.
A tumble-down, implanted farmhouse stood
little back from the road with its shutters
hanging loosely by one hinge, and one or two
,scrubby lilac bushes forlornly tossing their
foliage in the wind.
elbow dreary it looks - thought Rachel,
witha little shudder. But Uncle Ben at once
jumped BUT.
Come, my dear, he said to Rachel.
I-sassIs this the place !" she asked.
This is the place. Uncle Ben answered,
with Q. sudden pafoxysm of coughing.
Gates d little out Of order" as that useful
mode Of ingfess became suddenly detached
from its sole remaining hinge, and fell with a
crash to the ground /" but that's soon set
right with q screw-drivef and half dozen or
so screws"
Alas, poor Rachel What were her sensa-
tions as she looked blankly around the neglect
ed, dismal spot which was the sole realization
of her fairy dreams? This the home Uncle
Bededict gave them Aud for an instant our
poor little heroine felt as il she could rebel
el.e unwelcome aift. and tell Uncle Renjaain
plainly that she could not spend her days in a
novel like this.
But then came sober second thoughts
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly they were
poor, and could not afford to dispense with
even the meanest of roofs over their heads.
No she must gratefully accept the present in
the spirit in which 1t was given, aud check in
the bud all her rebelIious and unamiable
repinings.
4 told you it was a cottage, you know,
said Uncle Ben, keenly scrutinizing her face,
as they stood ON the doorstep waiting for the
door to be opened.
Eyes, 7 know" said Rachel, glancing
round with Frightening eyes. g That is
very choice climbing rose over the window, If
it was only properly trained"
8 It's rather lonesome said Uncle Ben.
81 like the country" Rachel answered
hopefully.
As she spoke, slip-shod old woman ap-
peared to let him in, and led the way TO the
best room, a green curtained apartment, with
shabby carpet on the floor, and fire in the
stove that emitted far more smoke than calo-
ric. WM4
Smokey, ehP" said Uncle Ben.
"Fhe draught seems to be poor" said
Rachel "but dare say it can be altered. :"
81 hadn't any idea the ceilings were SO
low" grumbled the old gentleman.
It's partly the effect of the large pattern
of the wall paper, said RACHEL, with glance
at the red and green monstrosities "a mar
row striped pattern will improve it."
What queer little cupboards by the sides Of
the mantel " said Uncle Ben.
"Oh, they will be nice for our best china, )
said Rachel.
"My DEAR" said the old gentleman, I be-
you really think yon shall like this placer
~ shall like any place where Hugh is! !"
said Rachel, brightly.
She went all over the house with the old
! gentleman, planning improvements, and sug-
gesting and continuing, until he really began
| to think she would make an Arcadia out Of
the tumble-down old farm. And If she shed
few tears on her pillow, when she went to
rest, under the caves Of the roof, In an apart
ment which must have been built for Tom
Thumb, Uncle Bon Benedict never knew it.
There was the carriage at the door when
| Rachel rose from her breakfast of bread and
butter and coffee the next morning.
s.Come. my lass, " said the old gentleman,
"Iwant to show you place further up the
road, which has been taken by friend of
mine."
The drive and the delicious September air
were like an invigorating tonic to our wearied
little bride, and picture after the style of
watteau awaited them, in the exquisite villa,
With rose clad bay windows and pictur-
esqueiy sloping roof. austiciron chairs stood
under the bowling branches of the elms on the
| lawn. and marble Cupid. holding up carved