Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-15
NO. 166.
Cabs and Sketehes.
7-s7'7i=s44as.=
IN CLOVER.

l recognized Margaret at once by the
harmonious gray of her apparel and the
graceful fall of her long veil; but dear
En-. in an absurd, wide-spreading seaside.
puzzled me. Happily gust of wind
blew up one side of the straw extinguish-
er, giving me glimpse of her bright,
friendly face, and without further ado we
ilew into each others arms, regardless of
the smiling baggage-master. or The round
eyed country lads contemplating us
through the blurred windows OF the wait
ing-room.
Here she is. Maggie !" cried EN-, in an
ecsiacy, turning me round and round: "the
good little girl who found the lock-penny
in her shoe!'
dearest Rhoda, how glad / am to see
you and how rosy and round the child
has grown, to be sure" said Margaret,
clasplng my hands, and bending to kiss
me in her sweet Wav.
was there ever such lovely retreat
1t is not to be found on the map, and we
were the only passengers in the car
" hat delicious air! What green fields
., feel young again !" cried twenty-year-
old En-.
What divine sky! chimed Margaret,
who was a Bostonian raising her gray
eyes, hazy with tears
"A lucky woman art thou, Rhoda John
stone,' continued En-; "but l thought
your estate lay five miles beyond the rail-
way station. Prithee are we to walk it ?n
"lf You will but let me edge in one
word, rattlebox, will instruct you. You
must know that my noble charger, yclept
tinette, has but one weakness-an insur-
mountable objection to locomotive puff
and confusion--so tied him the other side
OF the green, where he awaits your con-
venience, fastidious Emily"
Il hope he is not spirited" she ven-
tured, little tremulously.
"Of course he is y laughed. II could
not endure stupid animal. enjoy life,
and like to feel the reins when drive
Ems countenance heightened ruefully,
by no means lightning as we came within
sight of my pretty Canadian. There could
not be found tiercer-looking little beast
not hair of his shabby coat lay in line.
trlnges of dark gray hung about his hoofs,
volumninous tail swept behind, and as
for his mane-there was no end to its un-
kempt profuseness, two wicked eyes
cleaning in the midst.
Little En-" said l, sis it possible YOU
are such a coward Look at Margaret.
She is not afraid" For Margaret was
stroking his neck with her white, ungloyed
hand.
but l am dreadfully afraid,' sighed
En-. Are you sure you can manage him.
RhodaPn
II could drive him with my eyes shut"
declared, taking pity on the poor little
coward. Let me help you into the car
rage. We must be off, or the evening
win be upon us.
Now relieve our curiosity" said Mar
garet, when we We're fairly started. Tell
us of the wonderful windfall of fortune
that has fallen to you"
Ibid not explain in my letter. pn
explain Yes, but leading us through
bewidering labyrinth. and leaving us
more confused that when we begun. /
am afraid writing is not your forte. Rhoda
dear; every other line was in parenthesis,
4 must lay down my pen for a moment to
see Joseph about sowing the melons, or.
i must pause to attend to the cream and
so on"
You are cruel to laugh at me, for truly
| have never been so busy in my life
Delightful labor, however, very different
from the terrible drudgery of teaching
My story is not so very wonderful, al
though at first it seemed like trick of
Aladdin's lamp swapping my whip at
Finette. Thus it happened"
80. pray be careful" gasped En-, at
my side
My mother had faiher-"I contln.
ued.
What an unusual blessing.' mur-
INJURED En-.
'YeS," | continued; consequently
enjoyed the honor of grandfather.
though, strictly speaking, ii was hardly
an honor, for more grabbed, miserly.
cantankerous old man never existed
Dear me Margaret. it is disrespectful to
speak so strongly of ones ancestors.
Nevertheless. when my mother married.
her parent forbade her his house, and pub
llcly disowned her, from what cause it is
impossible to divine, and sternly adhered
to his decree to the day of her death. The
old man lived for years and years, like
his own cider. sharpening and hardening
with age. never saw him, but always
fancied him Wandering jew grown sta
tionary, and never imagined but that he
would continue to live through all ages.
Consider, then, my astonishment when he
actually died, and found myself the poor
souls heir. | ought not to abuse him,
am sure, for he has done me nothing but
good. When we have turned the corner
we will catch glimpse of the old place:
it is sill strange to me. am constantly
dscoy ering odd hooks and corners; and
yesterday found an old sock full of sill
yer shillinss. Now we are turning the
corner prepare to be enraptured."
"seo this gorge on my right !" cried
Emily, There is n brook at the bottom.
and a cascade. Would it not be horrible
10 rol! over into it Oh dark night? o.
by this time we had gained the ascent,
and delectable land of river, meadow.
and wooded slopes lay beneath us |
called upon Finette to stand, and pointed
with my whip
'Do you see the old-fashioned, long
rooted house Nesting yonder among the
elms? And the red barnp That IS the
homestead. In this valley lies my farm;
is it not fairy gift?n
"liow can we congratulate you enough,
happy Rhoda ?" cried Margaret, her love-
ly face tightening with generous pleasure.
ut is the Elysium of the gods p cried
extravagant EN-. "The Happy Valley of
Rasselas. No. that was a stupid place;