Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-04-17
MIscELIANEous.
MINNIE MAYS FORTUNE.

",
sS the clock pointing to the hour of four,
the scent of new mown hay filling the air,
and the crimson billows of the clover meadows
rising and falling softly at the touch of the
summer wind and one brown winged robin
warbling his roundelay in the upper boughs
that brushed the dining room windows at
Merton farm-this was the scene and the
season.
Miss Tabitha Merton, during the months
of July and August, received few friends,
who were allowed to share the expenses OF
the household. And some how Miss Merton
continued to subsst very comfortably for the
rest of the year on the July and Angus. con-
tributions of her friends.
Upon this glowing summer afternoon,
when the cherries wihked at you from behind
their leafy wells, and the currants hung like
ruby fringes on the bushes that lined the
garden fence, Miss Merton was making GUS
tards in her kitchen.
"Miunie," said Miss Merton.
Eyes, aunt" said Minnie May, with ner-
vous jump.
Get me the nutmeg" said Miss Merton,
"and don't stare about So"
Eyes, aunt" said Minnie, presenting her.
self with the nutmeg crater in land, and a
fine pink color on her check.
Chow old are you ?" demanded Aunt Ta.
bitha. transfxing her niece. SO to speak, with
the twin moons of her spectacles.
Seventeen, Aunt Tabitha."
"Then," reported Aunt Tabby, "you are q
great deal too old to 60 trailing about the
woods with Mr.. Marcourt."
Mimic grew pinker than ever.
81 didn't trail about, Aunt Tabitha. I
only walked as far as the Rowtor rock to see
the view, which he said was as fine as any.
thing on the Rhine"
"Fiddlesticks |" cried Aunt Tabby. "Look
here, Minnie, you mind your business, and
let him mind his"
eyes, aunt" said frightened Minnie.
"Now mind what say" persisted Miss
Merton, grating savagely away at the nutmeg.
"Ees, aunt, futtered Minnie"
Aud she went back to the tablecloth she
was mending, aud cried quietly over it. she
dida't quite know why.
And all this time Mr.. Ernest Hsreourt, ths
gentleman in question, vas srolling home
ward through the woods, with Miss Adela
Brownson. A portly mstron in black grena-
dine and Spanish scarf, was making believe
to road powell on the veranda, and in reality
watching restlessly for Adela to mako her
tardy appearance.
"Its too ridiculous for anything" said
Mrs. Browuson to herself, impatiently brush.
ing fly of her book. II believe Addy would
firt with plow-boy If she could find no one
else. And the first thing she knows she'll
be committing herself in some way or other.
And Doctor Fenton's nephew coming here in
August, too. It's outrageous, that's what il
is"
When Miss Adela at last emerged from the
shadow of the woods. her brown gypsy hat
trimmed with ferns and wild roses. her lips
all wreathed with smiles. and Harcourt walk
ing by her side, her lady mother received her
with no particular graciOusness of welcome.
Il thought you were never coming %
snapped Mrs. Brownson.
We baven't been gone long, I'm sure,
| ssid Adela innocently.
mo. two hours" said Mr.. Harcourt.
"I should think, went on Mrs. Brownson,
politely ignoring the young man's interpola.
tion, that you would know better than to gc
out on such broiling hot day as this, anG
| getting as brown as q berry"
Adela laughed. She knew that q higf
color was becoming to her.
81 shall cool off directly" said she, sink
ing gracefully upon bamboo settee.
"And in the mesDtime," said Earnest
| who was one of those clear, dark brunettes
whom no rise of temperature ever seems Il
affect, an go and get that volume of poem
| We were talking about"
Mrs. Brownson scarcely paused to bes
the retreatiDg ring of the young mans foot
steps before she opened all her verbal bat
| teries upon her daughter
"Addy," cried she wrathfully, ''1'm aston
ished at you"
"You're always being sstouished a. me
mamma" pouted the young lady.
ITO spend your time flirting with . mer'
travelling photographer J"
''Its so dull here" retor.ed Miss Brown
SON, "and one must do something"
"Oh, yes" scornfuliy spoke the matron
"But you'll find ont presently, miss. that yor
are playing with edged tools. You'll fall ir
| love with him"
"I, mamma 2" echoed Adela contemptu
ously. "What do you take me for"
''Or he with you"
"Tbat great deal more probable" inter
I trls