The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-04-10

"of course I shall 60" said Hugh.
"But Rachel?"
81 suppose I'm old enough to take
caro- OF little girl like that, said Uncle
Ben, in an aggrieved tone. "Youll find
us both in tho new residence, with the
table laid for dinner, when you como
back tomorrow.
So there WIS nothing for it but for
Hugh to kiss his little bride n half scure
OF times, and commission Uncle Ben to
take tho best possible care Of her until
he should return.
"Boolish children |" said Mr.. Bene-
dict, rs he saw Rachel sobbing on
Hugh's shoulder. But there was CHEEKY
twinkle in his own keen gray eyes, nev-
erthclcss.
Poor girl the atmosphere had lost
somewhat Of its sparkle, and the world
looked less bright, as she iourneyed to-
ward her new home.
As the autumn twilight began to fall,
her thoughts became busy as woman's
will ut times.
Uncle" she said, turning sud
denly toward the old gentleman, "what
sort Of n house is sit-ours, mean 7"
"Well," said Uncle Ben, rehectively,
otis cottage, l should say"
"A modern cottegel"
"Well, no; rather Of the antique Or
dor than otherwise"
"0h," cried Rachel, "I'm glad; ~
despise these new, stiff, formal places,
that look rs il they were merely to be
admired, not lived in and enjoyed. I'm.
Gle, what are you laughing ati"
"Atyo curiosity, my DEAR" replied
the old gentleman.
"Thcn I won't ask another question, "
said Rachel, fesolutely.
But she fully atoned for that doprira,
ton by sketching on the tablets Of her
own fancy IN endless variety OF little
Gothic structures, with bay windows,
and trellises covered with climbing roses
aud honeysuckles, while Uncle Benedict
watched her from behind the screen Of
his newspaper, with the queerest OF ex-
prGssions on his face.
I'm almost sorry commenced this
thing" he said TO himself. "1f l
should be disappointed in her But.
pooh it's the only way to find out il
shc is worth my boys love!"
Presently tho numbering old carriage
came to u standstill but, to Rachel's
surprise, in front Of no fairy cot, or low
eGvGd oditlcs surrounded by verapdas
and flower parterres. A tumblc.down,
unpaiuted farmhouse stood little back
from the road, with its shutters hanging
loosely by ono hinge, and one or two
lilac bushes ior!ornly tossing their
foliage III the wind.
"How dreary it looks !" thought
Rachel, with q little shudd.r. But
Uncle Ben at once jumped out.
"Come, my DEAR" he said to Rachel.
ais this the placcl" she asked.
"This is tho place" Uncle Ben
answered, with n sudden paroxysm Of
coughing. Coates little out Of
order" as that useful mode Of ingress
became suddenly detached from its sole
remaining hinge, and fell with crash
to the ground "but that's soon set
right with screwdriyer and half.a-
dozen or so screws"
Alas, poor Rachel! What were her
sensations rs she looked blank around
tho neglected, dismal spot which was
tho sole realization Of herIfairy dreams ?
This tho homo Uncle Benedict gave
them And for an instant our little
heroine felt rs if she could tepul the TN.
welcome gilt, and tell Uncle Benedict
plainly that she could not spend her
days in hovcl like this.
But then came sober second thoughts.
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly, they
were poor, and could not alforl to dis.
pense with even the meanest Of roofs
over their heads. No; she must CRATE
fully accept the present in tie spirit iu
which it was given, and check in the
bud all her rebellious and uuamiable re-
pinings.
"I told you it was n cottage" you
know" said Uncle Ben, keenly scru6niz-
ing her face, as they stood on the door,
step waiting for the door 10 be oponed.
Yes, know" said Rachel, glunoiug
round with frightening eyes. "rhat il
very choice climbing rose over tho
window, ii it was only properly trained" !"
"It's rather lonesome" said Uncle
Ben.
at like the country" Rachel answer
cd, hopefully.
As she spoke Gslipshol old woman ap-
peared to lot them in, aud led the way
to the best room, curtaincd
apartment, with shabby carpet on the
floor aud Il fro in the stove that emitted
far more smoke than caloric.
"Smoky, ehi" said Uncle Ben.
"The tlraught seems to DO poor" "
said Rachel "but I dare say it eau be
altered"
"I hadn't any idea the ceilings were
so low" grumbled the old gentleman.
"It's partly the effect Of the wall pa
per-" sail Rachel. with glance ut the
red and green monstrosities. "a mar.
row striped pattern will improve it."
"What queer little cupboards Mt the
sides OF the mantel !" said Uncle Ben.
"Oh. they will be nice for our best
china" said Rachel.
"My DEAR" said the old gentleman,
al believe you are determined to bo
pleased. Do you really think you shall
like this place 7"
"I shall like any place where Hugh
is, said Rachel, brightly.
She went all over the house with the
old gentleman, planning improvements,
aud suggesting and contrivirg, until he
really began to think she would make M
Arcadia out OF the tumble'down old
farm. And If she shed few tears on
her pillow, when shO went to rest under