Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-03-02
Selected 9listrllanp.
JANE ROSS LOVER.
ny MARY KYLE DALLAS.

On, IL L only uau u carriage ike
that, and dress like that, and house
like she has--and, and all the rest of it,
how happy 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 Middle
burys carriage, as it rolled away along
the dusty midsummer road.
Don't believe you'd be a bit happier, -
said Peleg, her lover, looking into the
tin can in which his dinner had been
brought to him, as he sat upon the grass
'Oh Peleg ~ said Jane. But you
are just that way; you don't seem to
understand anything above the com
mon"
81 know it's all fine" said Peleg,
Every fine; but this is what | mean.
1t ant worth much. You are as happy
in Dads wagon goin' to town of a holt
day, and as healthy aud lot prottier, !
think, than if you had your hair scratched
'about, and bob-tail down your back,
and a thingumyjig tucked up on your
skirt, and a great long train dragging
behind YOU
much you know about it, Peleg, y
said Jane, scornfully. "a body must
feel so spendid, and--and contemptuous
dressed So"
Il should call that contomptible, >
said Peleg. IF | knew more or aga!
better than most folks, | might fee
tickled and | shouldn't calkerlate t.
plan out to be poor, unless lost my
health or my seLses ; but jest because
had money enough to buy all the fnerJ
liked, | shouldn't get sot up. The
wickedest and the ignorantest can dc
that, aud do, Jennie Ross, | can tel
you. For my part, | look at the man
or the woman, and respect them, and
not their coats or their purses. AS for
happy, Why Jenny. farmer is the
happest man in creation"
But don't think farmers wife is
the huppiest woman" said Jane did
you ever read Maud Muller, Peleg,
"No, didn't; is it pretty ?" said
Peleg.
ITS touching," said Jane.
"Ah !" said Pclcg
Mrs M'Mahoncy Middlebury gave
it to me-" said Jane, beginning to look
very solemn "She said that it would
teach me lesson, and it has"
81 know it by heart" said Jane.
"Maud Muller, on a summers day,
BAKED the meadow sweet with hay,
Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
OF simple beauty and rustic health,
Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee.
The mock-bi,ds echoed from tree to tree -
'rhats jest a picture of you, Jane, -
said Pcleg, innocontly
$50 Mrs. Middlebury said" sobbcd
Jane "aud you know while she was in
the bayfield, the Judge came riding BY"
We'll now ~ 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.
"Abap said Polcg, eating cabbage
with his knife
"And she was ashamed Of her old
clothes" said Jane, "but he talked
away jest as sweet as could. be-"
"And be courted her, and she accepted
him?" asked Pcleg. ITS the way
in songs, mostly"
"No," said Jane
UtAt last ike one WIN foe d.law
Seek f vain ezcuse, he rode away >"
"Oh dear oh dear =
&C lie welded a wife Of richest dover,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power;'
'and she
Welded a man unlsarned and poor
'and all sorts Of awful things
happened; "and Jane began to cry
PeIog had dropped the tin-kettlc.
"Out with it, Jane" said he. "Do you
mean it; or is it Mysteries Z"
II mean, We shan't be happy with
each other. | can't be farmers wife p
said Jane. II feel just Ike Maud
Muller. have 'longings for something
better than have known And Mrs.
NJ Maboney Mddlebury wants me to 20
and live with her as pet and companion,
she says. And Pm going, Peleg; and
you'll find somebody more contonted to
work, and all that, than l."
PoIog turned on her forcely. "No,"
said he, Owe done with women--done
lor good ant fool, Jane, and
ant lanad opd I've got coarse red