Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-04-20

pot. and "Marshal's Barn" had become
by-word in the neighborhood.
"What can't be cured must be endured y
Mr.. Dean remarked to his daughter, by
way of saying something both original and
comforting.
But Miss Alice had no idea of sitting
down patiently TO endure, when, though a
cure was not to be hoped for, matters
might be at least mended. The mountain
would not move for Mahomet, and the barn
was not likely to be more accommodating (;
but something might, perhaps, be done
In the way of hiding it. And Alice was to
be seen daily on the lawn, busily at work
with her own hands, and superintending
the laoors of others. Hitherto the balcony
had been left entirely open, with nothing
to intercept the beautiful western view /;
but now vines began to climb there. seem
ing to vie with each other in fastening up
ward with their delicate, leafy wall, and
hanging baskets with tall plants and long
streamers of luxurisnt ivy did Whist they
could in the common cause. Here aud
there screens of lattice work were set up,
where one Of these DAYS roses would bloom,
and a hawthorn hedge was planted, aud
coaxed with every cunning Ceyce for
speedy growth.
All this did very well while summer
lasted; bat when the autumn wiuds and
ID,
stripped the leaves from the vines, aud
carried destruction among the flower bask-
cts then the barn stood forth again In its
nakedness, great yellow blot upon the
1 landscape. In fact, as they looked out OF
the balcony windows OF the stone house, IL
seemed to be the only thing that was seen.
Mr. Dean tried To take the iniliction phil
osophically, since thereiwas no remedy. for
il. and succeeded IN putting It out Of his
mind about as well as people generally do
when thing = constantly In sight. But
. Alice, who was young lady OF some spir-
Z II. was al no pains either TO lessen or con-
I ceai her indignation. Her mother had
been dead for many years and. on coming
home from school a year before. the mar
riIge of her only sister had lcft her sole
mistress OF her father, home. She had the
/ greatest pcdc aud delight In her ancestral
home; and these feelings. together with
her artistic sense Of the beautiful In nature
We're - CALLED by this hileou, barn set
under her very eyes. that she could never
7 look Al it without a flutter of wrath. some
times silent. but often ourspoken.
4 IL was during the winter which followed
\ the building of this barn that young Mar
/ shall, as he was called. returned from Eu-
i rope. John Marshall had bestowed upon
/ this only son every opportunity ifor that
extended Intelligence and culture which
/ those of his name had hitherto considered
/ OF little worth compared To the accumula-
/ tion uf lands and stocks. There is money
I enough" he said, and John shall have
! what he wants. provided he does not
squauder it," A sin which the Young man
( did NOT seem inclined to commit, since,
though he knew how 10 spend generously.
he had never yet exceeded the ample al
lowauce granted him by his father.
N.,ta h..tr fh
had grown to be the largest in the country,
good-iooking. frank and joyial. and with an
ease and grace OF manner conferred by
three years OF foreign travel, he speedily
became the lion OF Silver .on. Al the vii
lagc parties and social gatherings, all
: united 10 welcome him, and do honor. with
one exception. A naughty bow Was the
! only Acknowledgements that Alice Dean
! would vouchsafe his presence. She could
I not be brought To include herself ia any
{ coAvefsa sation In which lac took part. and
her cool withdrawal from group which
he chanced 10 join would often place their
mutual friends in embarrassing positions.
Her father. having noticed this on one oc-
! casion when they had been out together.
I demonstrated with her on their return
home, mildly suggesting that she should
/ endeayor 10 keep her angry feelings little
more out of sight" This young man is
not 10 blame for his fathers conduct, YOU
know" he concluded.
"Ot course not" said Alice but he's his
fathers son. aud chip OF the old block, |
dare say. No" she added. after a mo-
menl's silence. Its OF no use irving. /
can never be civil to Marshall, with that
hideous, yellow barn staring me in the
face"
Five minutes later, Mr.. Dean, who had
taken up and was looking over his news
paper. laid it down In hurry, as Alice re-
marked. In a slow, deliberate way, AS
though she had at las made up her mind -
Papa. that barn will be the ruin of my
temper. am going to set fire to IT,"
Mr. Dean glanced about the room, half
afraid that they were not alone, before he
replied -
My child. that may be pleasant little
joke of yours, but il is lucky that there
was no one 10 hear il bat myself"
1T is no joke at all, papa. | am quite
serious. l have been thinking about it for
some time, and | mean 10 do H."
Mr.. Dean took of his Eyeglasses. and
looked attentively at his daughter. Upon
my word, | believe the child has some
such intention" he said TO himself To
her he said -
at is your opinion, then, that you have
a right TO make way with your neishbor's
property whenever your pleasure is not
consulted in its situation?'
ut is NV opinion said Alice, with the
! confident logic OF eighteen years, "that
my neighbor has no right to set up an ab-
J ominable nuisance under my very nose.
And if he can't be made to remove It,
think should be justified in getting rid Of
il in the easiest way possible"
And you think also, upon mature con-
sideration." said Mr.. Dean, "that you
would prefer the view of four walls in the
State Prison. for the next ten or fifteen
years, to that OF your neighbor's barnT
is that the punishment for arsOn!'
at is"
oh. but should not De caught. l have
several plans, any Of which is quite safe. y
But, unfortunately. you have witness
of your Intentions" said Mr.. Dean, quite
seriously.
No ole but you; and, of course, you
wouldn't testify against me-"
Indeed should returned Nr. Dean,
with the air Of a stern, impartial judge.
! "Oh. papa, l won't believe it, And
: Alice took seat upon her fathers knee.
,, Yes" said the memorable father. al
mean it. If you burn up Mr.. Marshall's
barn, shall tell all know about the mat
. ter"
/, "ADd send me to prsonT
| 10 Uc sure. 1 WOulu Uc I, vi
as it would deprive me ofa valuable house
4 keeper. Nevertheless, | should feel bound
! to do it," And Mr.. Dean. looking into the
large blue eyes which gazed at him with
such a serious expression. seemed half il
: | earnest.
4: "COme, come, Alice" he exclaimed, al
e length. at is high time for US TO put
!, stop to such talk as this; and, what i.
. more, you must promise me not to harbo
v such dangerous notions in that busy brail
2 OF yours"
j Il can't promise 1t is impossible to con
troll ones thoughts you know" returned
|. Alice with shake Of the head that wa.
n comically serious.
5 "Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Dean; then
D must put you in a straight jacket, and keel
{ you where You will be in no danger of do
r ing mischief"
5 Here the pretty incendiary burst into he
e usual merry laugh, kissed her father, bad
n him good night. and went to her own room
N eOuinp hack tn say