Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-05-23
SWEET-BRIER.

LIE sweet OuOrS OF UIllS ue1lcaUe I1IClo
flower stole upon my senses, as | stood in
the Roseberry Station, waiting for the
down train to bear me to Hadlowe
The perfume was exquisite, and bore my
thoughts into the past. When a boy, I
had gathered sprays filled with the deli
cate pink buds and carried them to my
mother. A thousand memories arose in
my heart as the gentle June breeze
waited the fragrance around me.
Presently, [ heard a gentle voice ex-
claim, ooh, I have lost one spray of my
sweet-b~ier, Cousin HettieH
Beng stranger in the place, [ had
given no attention to the inmates of the
waiting room; but as these words reached
my ears, [ turned, and saw the speaker
A fair, fragile little creature, of neither
the blonde nor brunette type, she was
Her complexion was dazzlingly fair; her
hair-twas neither light nor dark, but
golden crown-hung in billowy waves
below her waist Her eyes were dark
brown; such beautiful eyes [ had never
gazed into before. II gray travelling suit
of some summer material graced the tiny
figure; little gray hat rested upon the
beautiful head. One small hand was un-
eral sprays of sweet-brier What a wee
tie "a tall, stately, dignifed brunette
who looked down with smile upon the
little figure at her side.
"Well, Mabel, dear, what does that
signify? You have such passion for
sWeet-brier [ see it so often, that I
really grow weary Of its dainty pink
buds, and, as you say, its delicate
aroma ....
"Fie, Cousin Hettie! IF it were only
possible that [ might have little home
all my own, should have tiny bird
nest affair, with honeysuckle and sweet
brier nesting about in every crevice and
around every easement; in truth, [ think
I should call it 'Sweet-Brier.' I"
And the beautiful little creature held
the cluster of fragrant pink buds and
green leaves to her dainty nose; giving a
sigh-for WHAT she inhaled the per
fume aa
''Hark, the train!-I hear the
whistler And one white hand was
raised for moment, as Mabel rose,
shook out the soft folds of her travelling
dress, and settled her tiny hat more
upon the pretty head.
Now Mabel, dear, you will write i'm
mediately, will you not? [ shall be very
uneasy until hear from you [ do not
like to let you go alone; indeed, [ think
you scarcely well enough to 90 back
9 Certainly, | shall write, dear old
sober Esther. Do not concern yourself
about poor little me; old school-teachers
are not worth the worrying over. [ have
had quiet, pleasant rest, darling; this
visit to you has been ray of sunshine
in poor Mabel's life; and | shall 90 back
to my labors with renewed energy
Then too, we have not much longer to
work now; only a month or six weeks
before the summer holidays"
And so this fairy-like creature was a
school-teacher! I looked at her in amaze
ment. Not more than eighteen summers
had crowned that beautiful brow with its
waves of golden brown-and the rosebud
lips were as pouting as child's.
The train came laundering on, and
amid the hurry and hustle attendant
upon such occasions, the two ladies left
the Waiting-room while [ was giving
some directions concerning my baggage
The bell sounded the signal for depart
ure; and as | sprang toward the train, [
almost ran over the dignifed "Cousin
Hettie," in whose dark eyes there lurked
teardrops, and about whose firm beauti
full mouth culver sought to hide itself.
Lifting, my hat, with an apology, [
moved on into carriage and there, with
he head buried in her hands, sat my lit
tie school-teacher Taking my seat, |
watched the small figure with no little
anxiety, thinking that, woman-like, she
was INDUCING in a good cry. By-and-by
the head was lifted, but the face bore no
traces Of tears. A quiet sadness and deep
pallor had settled about the brown eyes
and beautiful mouth.
Who was she, this lovely creature,
seemingly alone? Was she one of the
many homeless waits upon. ife's broad
sea? Were there no home-hearts await
ing her coming? Or must she alone
enter upon her various duties?
These and a thousand other conjec-