Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-15
rcnntinne,l from first narc.l

valley" | enterposed, horrible, lowing
creatures, who enjoy nothing better than
tossing innocent folks over fences. my
self possess several of these monsters"
Cruel Rhoda," sighed En-, thus to de-
stroy my transient vision of peace
"Observe the rich color ofthat meadow,
said Margaret, land the river. ana the no.
BILE hill forms beyond, melting into that IN "a,
effabe sky! Was ever lovller scenef
The river marks my boundary. re-
marked. Mr. Thornton, the country
magnate, owns the land beyond. iinueeu,
with the exception OF my little corner, ne
seems TO be the landlord of the whole
side. You sec the tall chimneys toward
the east. bevond the white road and line
of poplars There is his lordship's resi-
dence.'
"What pity His meadow is much
prettier than yours, Rhoda,' said Emily,
l smiled philosophically.
II am quite content that he should rule
on that side of the river, for my land is IN
definitely the more profitable. Of course
you cannot see, but my meadow yields
good moving grass, and there is on 1t a
fine orchard, while his is miserable marsh,
nothing but marsh. flooded every spring.
Those patches of vivid green you admire
are useless bulrushes."
Horrible Bulrushes, did you sayP |
never heard of such a thing laughed
Emily, while Margaret interposed here
her tuneful voice.
"You are altogether fortunate, Rho
da; you reap the benefits of both river
banks, the beauty and verdure of your
neighbours, and the profits of your own.
Your old orchard is delightful, and so is
that tall grove of trees stretching down to
the water"
There goes the !" | exclaimed,
Jerking Finette out of his comfortable nap.
1--WE must proceed at once, or you Will
not see the house by daylight"
Merrily we whirled along the grass
grown country road, between the high
ranks of sumach, hazel and virgins bow
er, and all the loving clinging sisterhood
of way-side shrubs and vines, under dusky
arches of forest trees, beds ofyellow pine
needles muffling the roll ofthe wheels and
Finette's brisk footballs so on to the mead
ow flats, catching the aromatic odors OF
woods and fields, and soon drawing rein
before the time-worn porch OF the Red
House. Never had felt so prond of my
possessions. Every cracked little pane
cleaned in the after-glow; the thriitless,
delightful wood.moss shown emerald
green on sloping roof and tree-trunks and
well-curb; the crumbling fences were
laden with blossoms; meek-eyed cows
stood chewing their cud in the yard; and
old Joseph Smith, in blue overalls and
tattered straw hat, came from the barn
with FURNISHED milklng-pail in either
hand. I welcomed my friends with lofty
courtesy, gave them glimpse OF my
quaint little kitchen, parlor, and keeping
room, and then conducted them to the
many-cornered guest-chamber under the
caves.
'Do not be disdainful, We city damsels,
of my country fare," cried, as we gath
cred about the flower-decked table. The
strawberries are not large, but they are red
TO the heart and sweet as the clover in
which they lipened. Need say more for
the bread than that it was made by my own
hands? That is honey, dear Margaret,
and l am quite ready to believe that our
learned ignoramus never before beheld
the c9lestia do,aa. although she knows by
heart the Fourth Georgia of her honey
tongued Virgil. Innocent little En-! |
reserve the cup of fragrant tea for the
stronger heads of Margaret and myself"
But poor En- made such an outcry at
the curtailing other favorite beverage that
Margaret was fain to soothe her by eX-
changing cup for glass, and partaking
herself of the despised milk.
After the joyous repast Emily and |
polished the ancient blue and pink china
ware. admiring the wonderful pagodas
and flying bridges portrayed thereupon,
while pensve Margaret strayed out upon
the porch star-gazing, she being one OF
those rare mortals who find perfect enjoy
ment in nature and silence. AS the twi-
light deepened we gathered in the music
room, still with no light save the glimmer
of the fire-fies fitting in the sweet briar
at the window. | stood by the piano
"This is the only link" said, (which
connects me with the old lite; and. in
spite of association, could not well spare
it. Margaret. this is the hour Of all hours
for music. Thrill Us again, dear friend,
with that beloved voice"
Emily trod warmly upon my foot. but |
did not understand her; / could see Meth
err in the darkened room. and there was
an awkward silence. Then Margaret
spoke, softly and rather efficiently, as
was her manner
II never felt in a happier mood for mu-
sic, Rhoda, but | cannot sing. l have
lost my voice"
'What do you mean?' | cried, bewil
dered.
Eyes" she repeated 81 have lost my
voice. cannot tell how it happened; at
church one evening my voice suddenly
died; even the ghost OF it has never re-
turned to me since, so | must cen take up
the burden of life anew. | am now study
ing the piano, and hope to be able to teach
some day"
was too much shocked to find words
of sympathy, and could only say
"You must let me be your teacher while
you are with me. although it is absurd for
II mere routinist like myself to attempt to
guide genius
Margaret had no such scruples, howev-
or. accepting my offer with gratitude and
to cover our painful emotions, we lit the
candles and En- and proceeded to exc
cute our most elaborate duet.
Poor Margaret, with all her rare gifts,
seemed born 10 failure. Surrounded in
childhood by love, wealth, and culture, a
single month deprived her of everything
A series of commercial disasters, followed
by the base treachery of trusted friends.
deprived her father first Of reason and then
of life; and before his lifeless remains
could be consigned to their l,,t resting