The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-05-11

was momcntarily startled at her attire.
She wore tightly fitting sky.blue
silk, cut away from the throat and
causing me a SILVER on this cold eve
ming. Doubtless her indulgcnt father
had sent il from the city and she
knew no more about when to wear it
than that il was "fnr company"
| Her face was round, eyes blue,
checks red rs an apple, and her light
hair, twisted into a tight knot behind,
was allowed to fall on each side Of her
face in four long ringlots. These were
carefully brushed close TO the part on
the forehead so that she might peep
sentimentally between them. Her
complexion was rather fair; the sort
that degcneratcs into sallow tinge
when il reaches the neck, and upon
the whole she was not bad looking
girl. especially as her prevailing cx-
preston was one of amiability.
! endeavored to enter into her deep
remarks about the snow AMI Pas arri-
val, and her memorable visit to the
city, pausing occasionally to ask some
question relative to myself. The two
gentlemen were directly immersed in
politics, which subject the Colonel
handled to better advantage while
striding around, kicking the burning
logs, or standing, hands behind him,
with his back 10 the fire.
The sun was down, or would have
been If visible, when several long
legged, noisy boys burst into the room
IN full chase, each armed with a large
SNOWFALL. Right through they storm
ed, leaving both doors open and final
ly taking opposite stands they contin-
ued to shout and pitch the balls at
each other till the carpet, already |
kicked up into large wrinkles, was
soon white with snow.
Not in the least needing the intru-
sion, the father of the family pursued
his argument with degree of mental
concentration highly commendable. |
endeavored to keep warm now that my
wrappings had been laid aside, and
was being continually startled by this
astonishing family.
Suddenly bethinking himself, our
host called out, "Rick, go over to
Bill Browns and get his ACCORDION.
We must have some music here"
"And Ricketts," added Miss Belle,
"tell Melissa there's foreign lady
hereto come over
Twas but moments work to roll
back the already half-demolished car
pet, and by the time the music came
the Colonel and his sons were ready
for Shin-Dig on the bare boards.
This surprising feat kept me in a
manner spell-bound; but as far as pos
siblc the mirthful vein in my nature
was reused, and for the time | forgot
the dark clouds that hung over me.
Night was fairly upon US before
quiet was restored and then Colonel
Ledru left us to introduce his wife. A
rumbling, dragging sound preceded
his remittance, and flinging open the
door he pulled over the slight eleva-
tion in the floor large armchair
containing a female form. Swinging it
around he bent over the figure with
sort of rough tenderness and said,
'.Mn. Ledru this is Miss Isle and
Captain Hadyn."
The latter arose in acknowledge
ment and ! approached to take the
profiered hand of this living mummy.
She was tall woman, 50 sallow as to
seem shrivelled, and appeared many
years older than her rollicking, hand
some husband. Involuntary
thought Oh! woful, woful, "IIannah
jane
Z A thin, puny, dark child about sew
en- years old hung upon Der mothers
chair, and by-andby sang for us in
weak, piping tones, "Annie of the
Vale" greatly to the delight of her
really affectionate father. had new
err seen a family group of such incon-
gruious material, and was totally at Il
loss where to place Miss Belle. She
was wholly unlike either parent, did
not seem ever to have heard of fever
analogue, and was painfully ont Of
place in the scene before me.
Several neighbors dropped in before
supper, the latter meal being quite
late Tonight. AT last We were mar
shslled out and crowded into a small
iirty room where We agonized through
The meal while dozen sooty faces
with white eyes stared at US.
About ten O'Clock was escorted by
he fair ringleis up an outside stair
Ease into the guest-chamber just over
he parlor. Here two damp, smoking
ogs sobbed and Kissed upon the
placed for andirons and the
prospect for getting warm was doubt
'ul. One chair invited me to sit