The Republican journal., 1876-06-01


sketch book and colors in a corner OF the
trunk, and bought Il ticket to Albany.
From Albany his route was not yet de-
termined He consulted guide books and
maps. and finally decided he would 90 in
to the country. No sooner said he was on
his way to the interior OF the State Stop
ping at a central point he mapped out an
other route, and three days afterwards he
was sitting in the hotel in the village Of
Newhall, and congratulating himself that
he had selected a place where none of bis
friends would modest him.
The arrival of stranger in Newhall
was matter of but little consequence to
the people of the village. They made
good butter and cheese and prospered,
and they had small curiosity as TO what
strange gentleman at the hotel might be
doing. Herein they showed their Dutch
blood, as well as their good common
sense.
The sense of being free to do as he
pleased, and not be hampered by prying
eyes was very pleasant to Featherby lie
cbatted with the farmers. chatted with
their wives, gave pictures to their chill
dren, and was welcomed by them when
he came arotfnd II any of them had any
curiosity as to his business there, the
sketch book under his arm would have
solved it; but it is doubtful if they cared
AS to his purposes.
Th. summer opened with joyousness
such as only the country summer posses
ses, md Featherby began to feel thorough
ly at home in Newhal. The minister had
invited him to take tea with him, the doc
tor had invited him to call ut his office
when he felt like smoking q cigar, the
blacksmith was always glad to see him
coming into his shop, and the young peo-
pie seemed pleased when he joined their
picnics.
The young madens of Newhall were
such as only the country towns of the
North can show Though born in tie
country, daughters of farmers. yet each
had been sent to the best schools in the
State, and they had brought back to their
country homes ease OF manners and grace
of carriage that was fully equal to their
sisters in the large cities. And their graces
were peculiarly becoming, is they We're
toned down by the realities of country
life.
Featherby declared to himself the sec
ond Sunday he attended the village church
that he had never seen so many charming
girls. And he declared farther that he
was going to become acquainted with
them,
Gaining their acquaintance was not 4
difficult matter. They We're not bold, nei-
ther were they unduly shy; and when he
accompanied DR.. Folds to Il picnic, some
two weeks later, he was, very naturally
introduced to nearly all the pretty girls of
the village.
He had q very pleasant day. Smoking
n cigar at the window of his room late in
the evening, he declared to himself that
it had been the pleasantest day he had
known since he was boy. He congratu-
lated himself upon his good sense in hay
ing thought Of this masquerade, and Won
dered why men could linger among the
affected gills of the cities, when there
were such charming flowers Of woman
hood in the country. And how pleasant
all the young ladies had been Miss Man
ley was evidently the belle of the place.
and she was very pretty but Miss Nerney
was-weil if not quite SO pretty, a little
more interesting.
lie had had very pleasant walk with
Miss Ferney. She had just the color of
hair he most admired-gold. tingcd with
red She looked little wearied No
wonder; some one said she was the school
teacher. Pretty hard work for a delicate
woman, he said, and then he threw his
cigar away and went to bed.
AS soon as he awoke in the morning he
began to laugh aloud His dreams had
been absurdiy real and through most Of
them he had iigured-now with Miss Man
ley now with Miss Verney. His system
must be out of order, he declared, still
laughing heartily, and walk before
breakfast would set him right. From
the hotel towards the river was the
prettiest street in Newhall Great elms
dropped gracefully across the road and
made a royal canopy Featherby started
down this street at a moderate pace until
he saw a lady sauntering ahead of him.
He thought he knew her, and a few min
utes of energetic stepping brought him be-
side her
"Ah, good morning, Miss Eemey; do
you, too, require morning walks? 7"
Not ofien," said she, bushing, ''lor
find enough exercise during the day but
this morning was too pleasant not to come
to the elm walk.
She looked very pretty. Her morning
walk had done much for her, but she was
not indebted to that for more than little
taste, and think was well worth walking
out before breakfast to have a look at.
And in this opinion Edward Featherby
fully agreed.
He kept at her side as long as he dared,
and then turned back to his hotel with re-
gret 1t was his intention to meet her af
ter school hours, but his plans were not
good and he missed her. In the evening
Dr. Folds took him to call on Miss Manley
and he enjoyed himself thoroughly. But
when he sat down in his own room his
thoughts ran to the figure he had seen in
the morning.
Every morning for the next week found
him going towards the elm walk before
break fast, but he had the entire path to
himself-the school teacher was invisible
Then he called upon her Miss Nerney
was native of Newhall, of this much he
was possessed; but where her home was
he neither knew nor cared, and preferred
to remain in ignorance, fearing question
ing might reveal something that would
necessitate him to disclose his own home
Miss Verney boarded at farmer Hooper's
and at farmer Iiooper's Featherby found
her.
She was playing solitary game of GRO
quet in the yard; and of course he Joined
her. If neither played a very good game
it was just as WELL they had all the more
excuse for talking, and in the end to drop
the mallets and go walking up the road
Featherby was a good talker; Miss Yer
ney was capital listener. He talked his
best tonight, ana all the better because
she followed him closely and understood
him SO thoroughly.
Life to young man who is worth two
millions is not like life as you ard look
at it. dear reader. And yet. when you
think of the walks you took when the
sunset glow was still in the west, and Of
the little hand that lay so lightly and
trustngly on your arm, do you not think
your words and feelings were as carefree.
and Your hopes as high as if you had been
heir to all Solomon's wealth? All, we are
all rich when we draw pictures of what
wa shall do for the pirl wa loyn And