The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-10-11
JANE ROSS LOVER.

ION, II l only had a carriage like
that, and dress like that, and house
like she has--and, and all the rest of it
how happy l should be- said Jane
Ross, as she leaned over the old stone
fence at the west end of Uncle Caleb's
farm, and looked after Mrs. M Mahoney
Middlebury's carriage, as itrolled away
along the dusty midsummer road.
''Don't believe you'd be a bit hap
pier said Peleg, her lover. looking
into the tin can in which his dinner had
been brought to him, as he sat upon
the grass.
.sOh, Peleg!'' said Jane. But you
are just that way; you don't seem to
understand anything above the COM
mOn.''
II know it's all very fine,n said
Peleg, Every fine; but this is what /
mean. 1t amt worth much. You are
as happy in dads wagon goin' to town
of holiday, and as healthy and a lot
prettier, think, than if you had your
hair scratched about, and bob-tail
down your back, and a thiBgumyjig
tucked up on your skirt, and a great
long train dragging behind you.n
Much you know about it, Peleg,''
said Jane, scornfully. IA body must
feel SO splendid, and-and contemptu-
Gus, dressed so.
Contemptuous? asked Peleg.
Yes-I-I mean," said Jane, 'sas
if you were better than common folks
II should call that contemplate,
said Peleg. eff knew more, or scas
better than most folks, / might feel
tickled; and shouldn't calkerlate to
plan out to be poor, unless l lost my
health or my senses; but jest because l
had money enough to buy all the finery
shouldn't get sot up. The wickedest
and the ignorantest can do that, and do,
Jennie Ross, l can tell you. For my
part, look at the man or woman, and
respect them, and not their coats or
their purses. As for happy, why, Jen-
ME, a farmer is the happiest man in
creation.
g But don't think farmers wife is
the happiest woman" said Jane. +" Did
you ever read Maud Muller, Pelegp"
No, l didn't; is it pretty?" said
Peleg.
:" It's touching,' said Jane.
{" Ahr' said Peleg.
Mrs. MMahoney Middlebury gave
it to me,' said Jane, beginning to look
very solemn. "She said that it would
teach me a lesson, and it has,
:" Ah!'' said Pelcg.
I" know it by heart" said Jane.
Maud Muller one summers day.
Raked the meadow sweet with hay;
Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
Of simple beauty and rustic health.
SbnenG shs T1re eCsasa and asr merry see
That's jest a picture of you, jane"
said Peleg, innocently.
So Mrs. Middlebury said,'' sobbed
Jane; g and you know while she was in
the bayfield, the Judge came riding by.n
Well, nowr' said Peleg, Interested.
And he asked for drink
''Of cider?" asked Peleg.
- From the spring that flowed
Through the meadow across the road,
said Jane.
Ahar' said Peleg, eating cabbage
with his knife.
q And she was ashamed of her old
Clothes" said Jane; g but he talked
away Jest as sweet as could BEL
And he courted her, and she ac-
septed of him?'' asked Peleg. sits
he way in songs, Mostly
No." said Jane.
. : At hst like one who. for delay,
Seeks . vain excuse: he rode away
Oh, dear! oh, DEAR!
~ He welded a wife of richest dover,
Who lived for fashion as he for power;
q and she
n Welded q man unlearncd and poor,'
g and-and all sorts of awful things,
happened and Jane began to cry
bitterly.
Peleg had dropped his tin kettle.
. Out with It, Jane, said he. @Do
you m ami t, or is it Mysteries ?''
mean. we shan't be happy with
each other. / can't be . farmers wifer'
said Jane. II feel Just like Maud
Muller. have longings for some
thing better than have ever known
And Mrs. M Mahoney Middlebury wants
me to go and live with her as pet and
companion, she says. And am go
ing, Peleg; and you'll find somebody
more contented to work. and all that,
than ]. =
Peleg turned on her fiercely. ..No.''
said be, I've done with women-done
for good. ant fool, Jane, and | |
ant larned. and I've got coarse red |
paws, and earn my bread by the sweat
OF my brow, but I've got feelings fine
enough to see that when all you value
: man for is what he gives you, there
amt > hit of love in yolr heart for him.
The way loved you, Jane oh the way
/ loved you. I'd have given You Ill I |
could, God knows. To have you COM
49, IL. ..~<.,x5<3 4 .sx1o Io<,,, M ,,,-fro