The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-02
THE GOVERNORS BAIL.

BY D. A. CLARKE.


1t was our first winter in Springfield. You
know the winters in Illinois are not the most
ENJOYABLE of the seasons. Yet the change
from the great farm with its absolute isoa-
ton TO even the muddy surroundings of our
rev house in town was, upon the whole,
pleasant.
work of man. God made the beautiful
prairie apparently for the pillow and the
waving grain; but man has covered it with
his bandIwork. There was lack of several
things which the modern city deems neces-
sary; stone for pavements, but most OF all
water. They could substitute wood for stone
in paving and building, but there is no sub
stitCte for water.
Then they drew from the Sangammon
river, a good distance away, what nature
had denied them near at hand--a supply of
water.
Cur new house was in the outskirts of the
city, near the water works which were also
new enough to be novelty to others as well
as to ourselves.
Those water works, as we called them,
were most remarkable as an attempt at COM
bining the aesthetic with the useful. There
was reservoir built up in the prairie, and
in the center fountain, pouring out from
many mouths of aquatic birds the liquid
streams destined for our use finally.
That fountain was .one of our near neigh
bors, and the sound of its waters was at first
almost irritating to my sensitive nerves
accustomed only to the absolute quiet of
farm house in the great prairies.
Our father, John Livingstone, came to Illi-
nois when there were hardsbips to encouR-
ter; when neighbors were few, and when
schools and churches were wide apart. But
then so many others have had the same ex-
Perience there is nothing peculiar in that.
1t is not usual for those sturdy farmers to
resign the care of their farms and herds for
the dull life of small towns. or even cities
like Springfield.
at is ali to give you girls better chance,
that he has built that house in the city," was
the explanation given us-sIster Kate and L
by old Captain Fenwick, neighbor.
''Then why don't you give your daugh-
tiers better chance also?" was Kate's quick
retort
"well, to tell you the truth" and he
laughed and hesitated little, II think my
girls have improved their chances we'll
enough. One gone already, and another TO
go next month. perhaps. Only Nell left us
then. You young folks don't know how
lonelyan old house is when all the girls
have gone out forever"
The old man sighed and turned away his
head little. 1t must be sad to see the last
one go, although we have fashion of saying
they are glad to get rid of US.
Those Fenwick girls were bright, pretty
girls, and il was true, as he said, they had
improved their chances well enough
Sister Kate and / were palmer. Not many
beaux came to us; and, somehow, those who
came were the least desirable. There might
have been several grains of truth in Captain
Fenwicks Jest that il was to give us better
chance, this removal to the city. And we
both silently felt it, too.
"But, captain you will send Nelly up to
go with US to the governors ball at New
Year's?' said Kate to him at parting, and ]
Joined her in the request.
"Yes, if mother is willing and Nell thinks
she has a dress fine enough to appear in
company with you gay city ladies'"
ave are not yet gay city ladies, and you
know very well that she has as fine as we
have"
That was our mutual response.
''Then 1 think you may expect her. and
good by"
GOOD by"
The old man went his way, feeling. as we
could see, little sad at the loss of his pretty
girls. He had scarcely gone out of sight be-
fore / heard "Helloli at the gate. You
must know that nearly all farmers keep one
or more dogs. which animals, though kind
enough to US, have no love for strangers.
When we hear call we go out, since il
would not in general be safe for any one to
venture inside the yard alone.
This visitor at the gate was John Goodwin.
a young lawyer from Spring. I'D, who
seemed TO be more fond Of hunting over the
fields than hunting over his authorities for
his clients cases.
He had gun and some prairie chickens.
"Good morning, Miss Livingston. Is your
father at homer"
Good morning, sir. Father is not at
home, but will you come in?'
eff L may for a Hstle," he answered; and,
fastening his game TO the saddle, he came MP
the walk TO the house.
John Goodwin was not by any means a
stranger; we had known him little for
three or four years. Common report said
that be was an admirer il not beau OF Nelly
Fenwick- He certainly visited the Fenwicks
oftener than any other family of the neigh
borhood. In fact be was such pleasant good