The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-08-20
vHR NkEEPER's DAUGHTER.

rhe inn where my heroine was born and
lived Was the only one in the neighbor-
hood of the town of Cardale. liz stood
about half mile out of the townand was
fAmous place OF resort for the young
people who wished 10 have riding, shoot
ing or fishing parties. Looking from the
windows of the house you could fancy,
so Wild and picturesque was the scenery
all round, that You were miles away from
any house: but If you left the building
and climbed the hill directly east Of Ii,
YOU could see the town OF Cardale lying
below You.
Joseph Langdon, or, as be was general
liz called. '.Old Joe Ian ,ion.' had owned
the inn since the death of his father. who
was the former landlord. Here he had
brought bis wife home; here his only
child. Minnie, was born; here hts wife
had died and here he hoped himself TO
die.
just at the time my story opens there
was net happier man alive than Joe.
His inn was i'm fourishing condition.with
a new sign swinging from the door and
the old name, " FOX and Hounds" bla-
zoned on il in letters an inch long. His
pretty daughter had completed the educa-
ton he had given her in a boarding.
school in Cardale and had returned home
20 pet her old father TO his hearts con-
tent, and Joe, TO complete his state Of fe-
licity, had just received notice that party
ofyoung ladies' and gentlemen from Old
iaid Hall were coming down next day to
spend the day in riding and fishing and
would stop az his house for bo,h luncheon
and dinner.
Now, Minnie. lass" said her father,
ARE you sure all is in order for the fish
ing partyr'
You see, Minnie. this i q fine COM
pany. There is Squire 0ldfields son, Mr..
Harry and his sister, Miss Kate, and there
are more and. 10 be sure, there is lord
among them. Lord Herbert Adair. that
rbey say is after Miss Kate"
'FWell, father all is ready; and now
come oat under the porch and We can chat
together. Who Is Lord Adair?"
Why. he's great lord, Minnie, young
and handsome and very rich; aud they
saw his mother and Squire Oldfeld's lady
were very intimate when they were
Young. and they wanted Lord Herbert TO
marry Miss Kate. The young folks
haven't seen one another yet, but his lord
ship j. 10 come down here tomorrow TO
meet them; and as they are both young
and handsome, why OF course they will
fall in love the first thing. Now, Minnie,
sing - me while | smoke"
Minnie stood up in the porch OF the lit
tie n,and, leaning against one OF the pill
lars, began 10 sing. A prima donna
might have envied that young girls voice
1t was clear and most melodious, and
every note she warbled was true and full.
She made a very pretty picture. this little
Minnie, as she stood there singing TO her
old father. The last rays of the setting
I. sun tell upon her rich chestnut hair, her
round. white shoulders and arms, and
49, gr1+fh .. her
dress. which was short enough TO give
glimpse of most dainty little foot cased
In a neat black boot. The long, green
branches and bright flowers OF red rose
twined round the pillar against which she
leaned. and the whole effect was very
charming. There were two people who
thought so; one was Joe himself. as he
lazilv watched and listened the other was
ahorsenan, who had stopped his steed
near the inn. and, unperceived by the
group on the porch, was waiting A pause
In the song TO speak 10 the landlord. The
rider was young, handsome man, and
evidently had an eve for beauty.
Now. Minnie, sing one of the songs
YOU learned at the school, -said her father.
sWhew |! - said the rider In an under
tone. as Minnie sang the first words Of the
cavutina from "La Sonnambula," now
for screeching."
No such thing, Sir Critic. As the last
note died upon the air, the young man
struck his hands together crying:-
.'Bravo, beg your PARDON" he added,
stoned. "I have been here some time, but
could not make up my mind to interrupt
such heavenly sounds"
The landlord was up, bowling, and Mn
ME had vanished before this speech was
half finished. Giving his horse to the
hostler. and ordering private room. pen,
ink and paper, the traveller entered the inn.
After supper was served and eaten. he
drew his chair up to the table and wrote
the following letter:
DEAR GEORGE Here I am at the FOX and
Hounds, a. told you l should be when l left
you. arrived here about an hour ago. and dis
turbed at her cong the most lovely-but never
mind now Come down as soon as you can.
The party from the Squire's VIII be here 70 NOR
row, and then shall present Lord Adar's re-
grets Tor bis absence. and introduce 70 their no
RK,RBERr GRANT.
To Hon. Geo. Savage.
The next morning, quite early, the fish,
ing party came down TO the Fox and
Hounds.v Mr.. Grant presented his let
tiers Of introduction TO the Squire, and was
politely requested to join the party.
II must be nice TO be rich and power
full" thought Minnie, as she saw the de-
ference with which Mr.. Grant assisted Kate
Odfield from her saddle to the ground
and marked tho low bow with which he
gave her his arm. "He called me Minnie
this morning. just as If were a servant y
was her next thought. How handsome
he Ia. and what pleasant voice he had
Minnieis pretty name. as he says It,
minnie Minnie. Where are your
"Coming. fathcr.r
And the young girl FASTENED down stairs
TO assist her father Ia waiting upon his
guests. As she was passing along she met
Miss Oldheld, who had torn her habit, and