Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-27
Talfs aud Sketshss.
From Appleton's Monthly Journal.
A FOREST RETREAT.
BY CHRISTIAN REID.

Ferguson declined the biscuit, and rose
from the table. AS he left the supper
room he glanced into the parlor, an apart
ment which he usually Stunned with scru-
pulous care. group OF ladies were cro-
chetlng and talking in one corner, in an
other party of young people were play
ing game of cards, laughing a great
deal, aud now and then accusing each
other OF cheating. Hester was not visible
so Ferguson proceeded to the piazza.
Here he found her sitting alone, midway
between flirting couple at one end and
Il group OF smokers at the other. The OPP
portunity was favorable, and, being not
at all troubled with shvness, he took ad-
vantage oft.
81 have come to beg your pardon, Miss
Clyde" he said, making her start by the
unexpected sound OF his voice ''I was
presumptuOus last night, and should have
apologized at once for my speech if you
had remained a minute longer. DO you
not sometimes speak on an impulse If
so, you may understand how | was led
away. | certainly meant no disrespect,
and, may add no flattery."
There was something straightforward
in this apology which at once melted all
that remained of Hester's little resent
ment
1--WE will put the question of flattery
aside, MIR. Ferguson" she said. II am
very sure that you meant no disrespect,
and probably it is | who should apologize
for receiving your friendly compliment so
rudcly. Yes, | often speak-and acton
an impulse. In fact, | may echo what
some one has said, and declare that |
spend half ofmy life in doing things, and
the other half in regretting having done
them"
Mr. Ferguson felt sufficiently encour-
aged by her tone to say Il should never
think that"
why notP" asked Hester, amused by
the decided tone of the remark.
May | venture on personal speech
again without running the risk of Offend
ing youY
81 am not very easily offended. II
your personal speech is not compliment,
| think you may venture on It,"
81 was only about to say, then. that,
Judging from your face and manner,
should think that you were too self, os-
sessed to he impulsive."
THAT is compliment, Mr. Ferguson,
and one for which l am obliged to you.
You are mstaken-but that does not mat
ter. 1t is favorite theory of mine that
nobody really knows anybody else. We
only know our own idea of the character
of others"
81 do not agree with you. The major
lty OF people are superficial in their iudg-
ment OF character as of everything else
But believe that any one who has made
it IA study can read it unerringly through
very slight manifestations.
'As, for instance ?"
"For instance, manners, appearances,
tastes, opinions. Tell me what a man
likes, and. as a general rule, ! will tell
you what he is."
And woman, too ?''
'There | hesitate. But one may form
general Judgment according to general
principles
"lf people were always consistent. per-
haps so. But who is Under different
circumstances one is very apt to become
different person, especially if one is inn
pressionabe and receptive"
Are you so, Miss CIydep"
"ls it habit of yours to ask personal
questions, Mr.. Fergusonp But | don't
mind answering this one. am. Look
at that P' She extended her hand, and
pointed to the great landscape, in all its
majestic silence and dimness. Does not
such scene bring all ones best thoughts
and feelings uppermost ? Who could be
frivolous and foolish with such a strange,
solemn influence at work p
"Some people manage TO achieve it,"
said Ferguson, glancing at the flirting
couple.
81 mean people who can feel, answered
Hester, with dignity.
Papa" said Miss Clyde, week later,
who is Mr.. Ferguson ?"
Her father, who was engaged in clean
ing his gun, looked up with little sur
prise. Really, my DEAR" he replied.
you know as much of Mr.. Ferguson as
do"
81 know that be is pleasant and culti-
waited, clever and decidedly peculiar"
she said; but, according to mammals
creed. man is to be considered first as
social animal. and secondly as thinking
one. AS a social animal. to what class
and order does Mr.. Ferguson belong"
"He is gentleman, undoubtedly
Yes. AS far as himself is concerned;
but who are his people, aud where does
he come tromp One likes to know these
things"
"Ill ask him, If you desire it. He Is
evidently man who has travelled a great
deal, and acquired the habit of speaking
little of himself. He's clever fellow,
and hope you are not going to make
fool of him, Hester.''
IL make fool of him, papa P"-Hester
opened her eyes like an injured goddess
what are you thinking ofP"
'Of an amusement to which you are
rather partial, my dear"
That was in another state Of existence.
Such thing would be impossible here.
Mr.. Ferguson pleases me because he suits
so exactly my-my forest state of mind
and feeling"
IL hope You won't delude him into
thinking your forest state of mind and
feeling an enduring one," said Mr.. Clyde.
rather dryly Then he shouldered his
gun, and walked away.
Hester smiled as she lay back In her
chair. with her hands folded in her lap
over the book she had been trying to read.
The vine-draped lattice of the piazza