Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-06-22

what long curls she had and how fond
she seemed to him. Yes, l dare say
it's to Clara. | hope, though, she
hasn't grown up into one of those del
icate young ladies, good for nothing
but to display the latest fashions, and
waltz little, and torture the piano.
Better some rosy, sturdy German
Gretchen than a poor doll like the n.
1t would be shame for Tom, with
his splendid physique and vigorous
brain, to be tied for life to such wo-
man." And then, turning down
School street, my thoughts wandered
off to a blue eyed girl | had loved for
many year-a girl who was not sat
isied with the small triumphs of the
croquet ground, but who would send
an arrow straight home to the mark;
and climb the nill with me, her step
light aud free as the dcers in the
dale below; and, hold a steady oar in
the boat on the river and swim
ashore, if need be and then, when
walk or row was over, who could sit
down to lunch of cold meat and.
bread and butter with an appetite as
keen as a young indians after days
hunt; yes, and who knew how to be
efficient in the kitchen and the rarest
ornament Of the parlor. How impa-
tient | was to see her, the betwitch-
ing maiden whom prince might
have been proud to marry. And
again | said to myself as | went up
the Parker house steps : 81 do hope
Tom hasn't made a fool of himself!
Four o'clock found me at the sta
ton, and a moment later in walked
Tom, carrying a basket filled with
JERSEY peaches, "They don't grow in
Greenland said he, tuckins the pa
per down over the fruit. Com, this
way | followed him, and we had
Just seated ourselves comfortably IN
the car when the train moved OFT.
Now for the story, Tom, said |,
as we crossed the bridge and caught
the breeze cool from the sea. "But |
can guess beforehand the girl you
married. 1t was Clara MaitIand.'
a shadow passed over Toms face.
"CIara has been dead four years,
said he.
Poor Clara, She loved you lesrly.
Then | suppose You chose some Dos
ton girl OF your acluaIntances ?'
"Jack you couldn't tell who Mrs.
Tom Foster was if you tried from now
till morning. | shall have to en-
tighten you, and moving the basket
to one side and settling himself in a
seat, he went on : "Iou know | have
the misfortune to be an on y child.
After was twenty one, father and
mother BEGAN to talk about my mar
ing. | have plenty of cousins, you
know, and We always had young la
dies going in and out of the house,
but while Clara lived she was COM
pany for me, and after she died |
was full of business and didn't trou-
ble myself about matrimony. To tell
the truth, | didn't fancy the girls
Perhaps | was unfortunate in my ac-
quaintances; but they seemed to Inc
all curls and tlounces and 1urbe lows,
and would as soon have thought OF
marrying fashion plate as one of
those elaborate creatures. | don t
object to style; | like it. But you
can see fine gowns and bonnets any
day in the Washington street win
dows and my idea Of a woman was
one whose dress was her least attrac
ton.
"Do you recollect fathers former
partner, Adam Lane? He's a clever
old gentleman and millionaire and
father has the greatest liking and re-
spect for him. He has two daughters
one married years ago; and the 9th
er, much younger, father fixed upon
as a desirable wife for me. l rather
think the two families had talked it
over together; at any rate Miss Ma
tilla came to Greenland for a long
summer visit. She is an amiable girl;
but so petted and spoiled that she's
good for nothing - undeveloped in
mind and body. She looked very gay
in the evenings, attired in Jorden,
Marsh g. Co.'S latest Importation
But she was always late at breakfast,
she didn't dare to ride horseback, she
couldn't take q walk without stop
ping to rest at every stone; and once,
when asked her if she had read the
battle OF Sedan she looked up in he1
childish way, and said: mo, Mr.. Fos-
ter, newspapers are so tiresome. -
Bless mel What should | have done
with such baby?
"a year ago this summer was very
much confined at the store, and when
August came instead Of spending the
whole month at home, | thought |
would have a change, and so | went
down for a fortnight to the Cliff
House, on B--beach. It's a qui-
ct, pleasant resort, and you'll always
find from fifty to one hundred per-
sons there during the season. The
landlord is good fellow and dis
tant relative of mine. | thought he
looked Hurried when | went in, and
n !, ,