Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-11-25

"But Rachel ?"
Il suppose I am old enough to take
care Of little girl like that" said
Uncle Ben in an aggrieved tone
you'll find us both in tho new resi-
dence, with the table laid for dinner
when you come back tomorrow"
So there was nothing for it but for
Hugh to kiss his little bride a half
score times, and commission Uncle
Ben to take the best possible care of
her until he should return.
Foolish children, said Uncle Ben
as he saw Rachel sobbing on Hugh's
shoulder. But there was a cherry
twinkle in his own keen gray eye,
nevertheless.
Poor girl the atmosphere had lost
some of its sparkle, and the world
looked less bright, as she journeyed
toward her new home.
AS the autumn twilight began to
fall, her thoughts became busy as a
woman's will at times.
Uncle" she said, turning suddenly
toward the old gentleman, what sort
of a house is it-ours, I mean ?"
"Well, said Uncle Ben, reflective
ly, "It's cottage, I should say"
"a modern cottage?"
"Well, no; rather of the antique
order than otherwise
"Oh," cried Rachel, I'm glad;
despise these new, stiff, formal places,
that look as if they were merely to be
admired, not to be enjoyed. Uncle
what are you laughing at ?"
"At your curiosity, my DEAR" re-
piled the old gentleman.
"Then I won't ask another ques-
tion," said Rachel resolutely.
But she fully atoned for the depri-
walton by sketching on the tablets of
her own fancy an endless variety OF
little Gothic structures, with bay win
dows, and trellises covered with climb
ing roses and honeysuckles, while
Uncle Ben watched her from behind
the screen of his newspaper, with the
queerest of expressions on his face.
I'm almost sorry I commenced this
thing" he mused. "If I should be
disappointed in her. But pooh it's
the only way to find out if she is worth
my boys love-"
Presently the numbering old car
riage came to a stand still; but, to
Rachels surprise, in front of no fairy
cot, or low saved edifce surrounded
by verandas and flower parterres. A
tumble down, unpainted farm house
stood little back from the road, with
its shutters bang ng loosely by the
hinge, and one or two lilac bushes
forlornly tossing their foliage in the
wind.
How dreary it looks" thought
Rachel, with little shudder. But
Uncle Ben at once jumped out.
"Come, my DEAR" he said to Rachel
"Is this the place ?" she asked.
"This is the place." Uncle Ben an
swered. with sudden paro1ysm of
coughing. Coates a little out of
order," ss that useful mode of egress
became suddenly detached from its
sole remaining hinge and fell to the
ground; "but that's soon set right
with screwdriver and half dozen
or so of screws"
Alas, poor Rachell What were
her sensations as she looked blank
around the neglected, dismal spot
which was the sole realization of her
fairy dreams? This the home Uncle
Benedict gave them And for an in
stant our little heroine felt as if she
could repel the unwelcome gift, ana
tell Uncle Benedict plainly that she
could not spend her days in a hovel
like this.
But then came sober second thought
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly,
they were poor, and couldlnot afford
to dispense with even the meanest Of
roofs over their heads. No; she must
gratefully accept the present in the
spirit in which it was given, and
check in the bud all her rebellious
and unamiabie repinings.
II told you it was cottage, you