Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-05-19

looked less bright, as she journeyed to-
ward her new home.
As the autumn twilight began to fall,
her thoughts became busy as woman's 5
will at times.
" Uncle" she said, turning suddenly
towards the old gentleman, "what sort
of house is it--ours, mean? I"
"Well, said Uncle Ben, reaectively,
" It's cottage, | should say"
" A modern cottageY" :"
Well, no; rather of the antique or
der than otherwise.
"Oh," cried Rachel, q I'm glad de-
spise these new, stiff, formal places, that
look as if they were merely to be ad-
mired, not lived in and enjoyed. Uncle,
what are you laughing at?"
cat your curiosity, my DEAR" replied
the old gentleman.
"Then ! won't ask another question, "
said Rachel, resolutely.
But she fully atoned for that depriva-
tion by sketching on the tablets of her
own fancy an endless variety of little
Gothic structures, with bay windows,
and trellises covered with climbing roses
and honeysuckles, while Uncle Benedict
watched her from behind the screen of
his newspaper, with the queerest of ex-
pressions on his face.
"pm almost sorry l commenced this
thing" he said to himself +" If l should
be disappointed in her! But, pooh it's
the only way to find out if she is worth
my boys Lowell"
Presently the numbering old carriage
came to a standstill but, to Rachel's
surprise, in front of no fairy cot, or low
eaved edifice surrounded by verandas
and flower parterres. A tumble,down,
unpainted farmhouse stood a little back
from the road, with its shutters hanging
loosely by one hinge, and one or two
lilac bushes forlornly tossing their foil.
age in the wind.
How dreary it looks " thought Ra-
chel with a little shudder But Uncle
Ben at once jumped out.
"Come, my dear" he said to Rachel.
Is this the place2" she asked.
This is the place." Uncle Ben an
swered, with a sudden paroxysm Of
coughing Gates little out of or
der, as that useful mode of ingress be-
came suddenly detached from its sole re-
naming hinge, and fell with crash to
the ground "but that's soon set right
with a screw-driver and half dozen or
so screws"
Alas, poor Rachel What were her
sensations as she looked blank around
the neglected, dismal spot which was the
the sole realization of her fairy dreams
This the home Uncle Benedict gave
them And for an instant our little
heroine felt as if she could repel the un-
welcome gift and tell Uncle Benedict
plainly that she could not spend her
days in hoyel like this.
But then came sober second thoughts.
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly, they
were poor, and could not afford to dis.
pense with even the meanest of roofs
over their heads. No, she must CRATE
fully accept the present in the spirit in
which it was given, and check in the
bud all her rebellious and unamiable re-
pinings.
81 told you it was a cottage, you
know said Uncle Ben, keenly scrutin-
izing her face, as they stood ON the door
step waiting for the door to be opened.
/" Yes, l know" said Rachel, glancing
round with Frightening eyes. THAT is
very choice climbing rose over the win
dow, if it was only properly trained"
It's rather lonesome" said Uncle
Ben.
As she spoke aslipshod old woman ap-
peared to let them in, and led the way
to the best room, a green-curtained apart
ment, with shabby carpet on the floor
and fire in the stove that emitted far
more smoke than caloric.
Smoky, eh 2" said Uncle Ben.
The draught seems to be poor" said
Rachel but dare say it can be al
tered
:" hadn't any idea the ceilings were
so low grumbled the old gentleman.
Its partly the effect of the wall pa
per-" said Rachel, with glance at the
red and green monstrosities. A mar
row striped pattern will improve it.
" What queer little cupboards at the
sides of the mantle said Uncle Ben.
"Oh, they will be nice for our best
china" said Rachel.
"My DEAR said the old gentleman,
81 believe you are determined to be
pleased. Do you really think you shall
like this place ?"
=" j shall like any place where Hugh
is eaid RACHEL hriohtlv