The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-05-24


ing to day, and father went on ahead {
long while ago, having some business tt
| settle with our new landlord, and he mus
be at this very moment waiting for me a
the new house, and wondering what in the
world has become of me. You see, we have
no boys in our family, and the other girls
are younger than myself, and father and
mother both thought-this being very
quiet road-that Lion and could look at
ter Charley and the furniture ; but Char
ley, who generally behaves very well, has
been daJuty contrary, and has stopped
every few moments, and the consequence
is we have been already two hours on a jour
hey that should have taken us but one, and
there's just as long distance to go yet
and with Charley-oh, you wicked horse
standing under that tree, don't see how
we are ever to get to Grasstown."
"It's almost us bad plight as the old
woman was in with her pig, when hC
wouldn't go under the stile, and she was
afraid she couldn't get home that night,
laughs the young mana nice-looking fell
low he is, with gentleman stamped ON ev.
cry feature Of his handsome face. but
suppose / cut you switch Perhaps
that, used with discretion, might have
some influence on the fiery steed."
"Oh, no, that would neUer do !" she says
shaking her head emphatlcally. Charley
was never whipped in his life. He'd be SO
scared at the very sight of switch that /
believe he'd run away"
Wouldn't that be a desirable thing UNI
der the circumstances ?" asks the young
man, with broad smile, the idea of the
old horse, whose principal desire appeared
to be not to move at all, running away,
striking him as inexpressibly comic, and
thinking, "Bless her kind little heart lie
continues : "Well, since you refuse the
switch, l will try how command in a
masculine voice will affect him." and he
commanded, "G'long, Charley"
Charley started, turned his head toward
the speaker, recognized master, backed
away from the oak, and went off on a quick
walk.
"Well, the idea p exclaimed the young
mistress.
"And cow, with your permission, I'll
walk with you to the end your journey,
for I'm sure if | leave you, Charley will
note my absence Immediately, and stop I'M
der the next tree"
ooh no, indeed you must not" says the
pretty country maid. "You were going in
an entirely different direction. I could
not think of taking you so far out of your
way. Many thanks for your kind offer,
but indeed, Sir, couldn't. Charley will
behave well now. Won't you, Charley 2"
"Good heavens never knew my name
was so musical BEFORE" thinks the young
man, and then explains 81 was going in
an entirely different direction because /
missed my train at the last station, and, if
| had waited, would have had to wait two
hours for another; but being rather impa.
tient by nature, and tempted by the fine
pay, set out to walk, my destination be.
ing the next Villages And now if return
with you | shall have u much pleasanter
walk, catch the next train, and lose no
time after all. Lion approves of my plan.
Don't you, Lion And Lion usually very
suspicious of strangers, comes and lays his
startlingly cold nose in his new friends
hand.
And so the two young people walk along
side by side, crushing the pretty flowers
under their feet as they go, and Charley,
looking back every now and then out Of
the. corner of his right eye to see if the
masculine voice is still there, never talters,
but keeps steadily on his winding way
After few moments silence the innocent
little maid raises her blue eyes-thcy have
been hidden by the long lashes-and says,
in shy voice:
"You said you were going to Daisyville.
| have lived there all my life"
met "a very long time" says the young
man, with IL smile.
"SeYcntecn years. | was born and my
three sisters were born in the same little
farm house we are leaving now" And a
tear trembles ON the long lashcs and rolls
down the round rosy cheek.
The young man looks at the tear with
plying wonder.
'And were you very happy there 2" he
asks.
80 happy" replies the girl, shat we
fear we never will be half as happy any
where else. And"--a sudden light break
ing over her FACET believe that is what
ails Charley. He knows it isn't right that
we should be going TO a strange place, and
does his best, poor fellow, to prevent our
going"
"Undoubtedly," gravely assents her COM
panion. "But why, if you will permit me
to ask, are you bidding farewell TO Daisy
vile 2-G'long, Charley" as Charley
evinces u desire to listen to the converse
ton.
"Father didn't own the place. He had
it on long lease, which ran out the very
week "a month ago. our old landlady died,
and her heir-a nephew-and his mother
are coming to take possession of the estate,
and they want our farmhouse for their
gardener. When Mrs. Marks was alive
her gardener had rooms over the stable,
and very comfortable rooms they were, too,
and the kitchen-garden was just back of
the Zig house But | suppose the new
people are more stylish than the old ones,
and want their kitchen.g garden larger and
farther away than Mrs. Marks's was, and
50 they take from us our home, and we are
obliged to move to Grasstown."
"And are your father and mother as
much attached to Daisyvillo us you and
your sisters are he asks.
Even more attached to it," she answers,
"if that be possible. 1t almost>breaks my
heart to see mothers sad face. But must
try to make the new home as bright for
them as can-that is, if ever get there.
Oh dear how very unfortunate that Char
ley should have taken it into his head to
be so naughty this day of all others"
ION the contrary, think, Miss Gray
it has TRANSFERRED that her name is Bessie
Gray-"that it is the most fortunate thing
that could have happened"
Her blue eyes and red mouth opened in
wonder.
because" answering the look--"if
Charley had behaved well instead ofbadly,
you would have been at Grasstown long
before this, and I should not have had the
pleasure, of meeting you. And now am
about proposing something which will
seem extremely absurd to you, although in
reality the wisest thing that could be done
under the circumstances. Suppose we turn