Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-12-12
MlSCEITAhE Gus.
THE sQJIREs HIREb aIRL.

l1h SQJlh6'S HlRED GIRL,
SSWo o'clock P. NJ, on blazing i laly.saay
in the country. "A, row ofstaIwart NOW.
ers, each keepiDg time With se5the and step
across the ten-acte lot on the Howland farm.
AHiine ofPiebaid cattle. black and white, red
aud white, dun aud gray, cream color aud
dun, coming slowly down the slope of the
woodland pasture 10 drink from. the brook be-
meath the spring. a great, oId,fashioued.
cream>colored iarmshouse with green blinds
iand piazza, u sid6Spofsh- and aipgrapes vine
colonade, standing ON a lleHsi laRn,f beneath
tall maple trees that were only tiny saplipes
in the days when, Great rpndfather How>
land moved up TO Vermont from Connecticut
"to settle, some eighty years ago. fs ~
The doors and windows of this fine old
Dausion were standing wide open, and a
brown retriever stationed at the front gate
amiably watched the departure of two double.
seated scarryalls, each drawn by pair. Of fine
horses. land laden with merry cargo Of
laughing girls. And from one Of the .nbbSr
Windowsianother girl, apparently some twenty,
years of age, looked ont, dressed in a blue
striped calico With piuafore apron pinned TO
her sloping Shoulders, aud cook book. in
her hand! 0s ssIia-eIq > -
This was the aspect of the old iHowlsnd
farm aud homestead when John Parry, artist,
first beheld them.
During the three weeks of his stay in, the
mountain village of Bradley, he had heard
much of the Howland place and tho !. How,
land girls.SS. Being a. shysand retiring etu>
!. dent, he inwaraiy cOpgrstulated himself this
afternoon on the 6bseuce of Htiiose girls =, a.
he, too, looked after the cloud of dust that
followed the retreating carryall wheels.
bl Han Oak INV nfcinra d0na hoEc.o A..
all come laughing and Cabling home again.
mutteted Mr.. Parry, as he fixed his camp
stool and umbrella near the garden gate, and
prepared to sketch in the groundwork of the
finest view in Clayford county, as his host at
the village tavern had called il, while di.
recting him to it that day.
The ungallant artist painted rs fast as he
possibly could, in order TO finish his work
before the daughters of the house returned.
But the sun poured down his most scorchinp
beams upon his head, and not leaf was stir.
red in any direction by welcome breeze.
The haymakers haulted now and then 10 aI-
low Of the passage of stout, comfortable look
ing brown jugs along the line. and the sight
made Mr. Parry thirstier and tbirstier, till
at last, iu his desperation, be uDlatcbed the
garden>gate behind him, and went mp to the
house.
ne Drown retriever DID not oppose his adj
vance, but lay on tho clean marble painted
wooden floor of the hall, and lazily tapped
his tail in welcome.
Mr.. Parry knocked.
After some delay alight, graceful figure
in blue calico appeared at the lower end Of
Mr. Parry looked a. the girl as she came
She had frank, happy. chiidIike face,
with large, bewitchiug gray eyes, and auan.
tity of soft, short, curling hair OF the true
golden color, such. as is seldom seen except
upon the sunny head of very young child.
The hired girl, of course. How lovely
che is !! 1should ike to paint her." thought
Mr.. Parry, as she busted some -four from the
prettiest hands and arms in the world, aud
apologized to him in very sweet voice for
keeping him waiting.
Il had just begun to make biscuits for
tea, and oonld not come till now" che said.
The artist, lost in admiration. gszed at hcr
SO persistently that sudden hot blush ran
over her pretty face.
Do you wish to see Mr. Rowland, cir 2"
she asked.
"NO-no-I-yOu-if 1 might have a
glass of water" stammered the unfortunate
artist.
sT. Won't you step inside
Like one in dream, he followed her into
cool and pleasant parlor, and stood waitipg
till she returned from the kitchen with =
goblet of water on tray.
at is from the coolest corner of the we'll.
for l drew it myself" she said, with be,
| Wildering smile.
John Parry drank it, and thought j. pee>
tar. His mind was in a whirI, but ont of
the confusion settled purpose was very
gradually developing itself. Aud when be
set the glass down upon the tray on the table,
he proceeded to carry that purpose out by
taking the girls hand and asking, her point
blank If she would marry him.
"Sir J" she exclaimed. drawing her hand
away, and turning pale with fright, for she
thought him maDiac.
''Dou't be alarmed. he said. more calmly.
81 am in earnest. Aud am a geDtleman.
There is my card. will give you any re-
ferences as to my responsibility yOn may de-
"But, sir."sbe began. Then she glanced
AZ his card, and was silent.
'.Yes, know 1t seems strange and per-
haps rude 70 you" he said, 'fbut ON my honor,