The Osceola times., 1876-02-26
MINNIE LANGDON.

and lived was the only one in the neigh
borhood of the town of Cardalc. II
stood about half mile out of the town
and WAS a famous place of resort for the
young people who wished to have riding,
shooting or fishing parties. Looking from
the windows Of the house you could
fancy, 80 wild and picturesque was the
scenery all round, that you were miles
away from any house; but if you left
the building and climbed the hill directly
east Of it, you could see the town Of
Cardalc lying below you.
Joseph Lsncdon, or, as he was gener-
ally called, "0ld Joe Langdon," had
owned the inn since the death of his
father, who was the former landlord.
Here he had brought his wife home here
his only child, Minnie, was born; here
his wife had died, and here he himself
hoped to die.
just at the time my story opens there
was not happier man alive than Joe.
His inn was in Aourishing condition
with new sign swinging from the door
aud the old name, Fox and Hounds "
blazoncd on y in letters an inch long
His pretty daughter had completed the
education he had given her in a board
ing g-school in Cardale and had returned
home TO pet her old father to his heart.
content, and Joe, to complete hisstate OF
felicity, had just received notice that a
party of young ladies and gentlemen
from Oldfeld Hall were coming down
next day 10 spend the day in riding and
fishing and would stop at his house for
both luncheon and dinner.
Now, Minnie, lass," said her father,
"you are sure all is in order for the fish
ing Earty'"
You see, Minnie, this is fine COM
pany. There is Squire Oldfield's son,
Mr.. Harry and his sister, Miss Kate, and
there are more; and, to be sure, there is
a lord among them, Lord Herbert Adair.
that they say is after Miss Kate"
"Well, father, all is ready; and now
come out under the porch and we can
chat together Who is Lord Adair?"
why, he'sa great lord, Minnie, young
and handpme and very rich and they
say his mother and Squire Oldfeld's lady
were very intimate when they were
young, and they wanted Lord Herbert TO
marry Miss Kate. The young folks
haven't seen one another vet, but bis
worship is TO come down here tomorrow
to meet them; and as they are both
young and handsome, why of course thcy
will fall in love first tning. Now, Min.
ME, sing to me while ] smoke"
Minnie stood up in the porch of the
little inn, and, leaning against one of the
pillars, began to sing. A prima donna
might have envied that young girls
voice-it was clear and most meiodious.
and every note she warbled was true and
fuil. She made a very pretty picture,
this Minnie, as she stood there singing to
her father. The chestnut hair, her
round. white shoulders and arms, and
threw out the colors of her pretty, gay
dress, which was short enough to give
glimpse of most dainty little foot cased
in neat black boot. The long, green
branches and bright flowers Of a red rose
twined round the pillar against which
she leaned, and the whole effect was very
charming. There were two people who
thought 80; one was Joe himself, as he
lazily watched and listened the other
was a horseman, who had stopped his
steed near the inn, and, unperceived by
the group on the porch, was waiting
pause in the song to speak to the land
lord. The rider was young, handsome
man, and evidently had an eye for beauty.
Now, Minnie, sing one of the songs
you learned at the school," said her
father.
"Whew p said the rider, in All under
tone, as Minnie sang the first words of the
carotina from "La Somnambula," snow
for screeching"
No such thing, Sir Critic. As the last
note died upon the air, the young man
struck his hands together, CRYING
Bravo! beg your parden," he added,
seeing the surprise his appearance occa-
stoned. have been here some time,
but / could not make up my mind TO in
terrupt such heavenly sounds
The landlord was up, bowing, and
Minnie had vanished before this speech
was half finished. Giving his horse te
the hostler, and ordering private room,
pen, ink and paper, the traveller entered
the inn. After supper was served and
eaten, he drew his chair up to the table
and wrote the following letter:
DEAR GEORGE: Here | am at the "Fox
aud Hounds" as told you should be when
1 left you. arrived here about an hour ago,
aad disturbed at her song the most lovely
but nevse mind now. Come down a. soon a.
Ysa -. 1bs party from the squire's viii be
1DUm 1Dmsrssu, I'D shea shaIl present
k6ae &<nfEb ugTsts for his absence, aad In
- n3nniR nnSiru