Middletown transcript., 1878-05-04

and distrust mingled, the sympathy
predominating, and said, Good morn
ingT'
Good morning, madam +
"Have you walked far?"
"Quite distance"
"You look tired"
No response. Tom thought if that
was the worst thing that could be said
of his looks he would be thankful.
care you looking for work?'
eyes. ma'am," he answered boldly.
"Do you understand farm work?'
"Some kinds"
"My father is in need of help. He
is away from home for few hours, but
if you are inclined to wait till he re
turns, [ think he would give you some
thing to do; but, perhaps you were
going somewhere in particular"
mo, madam, was not, and I will
be glad to wait.
The truth was Tom had fallen
straight in love with the blue robed
maiden, and enjoyed the sensation !;
and though at this moment he would
have given half a years income for a
change Of raiment, he still felt grateful
to the fate that had led, or misled,
him to this spot. After he had finish
cd his breakfast, he told Ruth that if
there was any little pieces Of work he
could do till her fathers return, he
was ready to undertake it.
Ruth didn't know; she thought
there must be something, but she didD t
just know what.
She tried to be very dignifed and
very business-like, and failed com
pletely. Finally she said that if he
understood using the lawn-mower, he
might employ himself in that way for
a while. "Papa is very particular
about the lawn" she said. He could
easily believe it, for it was already as
smooth as a carpet; but he began his
work somewhat cautiously, it must be
confessed.
Ruth came out and gave some little
directions. The wind blew her fossy
hair about her face in most bewilder-
ing fashion, and heightened the color
in her cheeks to actual rosiness. The
sight Of such loveliness set Toms heart
beating tumultuously under his not
over-clean shirt.
The little adventure was beginning
to assume an embarrassing character !;
he wanted to be "himself again. !"
Having assumed a false position, he
found it difficult to extricate himself
"This is rather comical, Tom," he
said to himself; "here is croquet
ground, and you are skillful player !;
here is lively young lady, and you
have been known to be agreeable to
lively young ladies. Here are all the
facilities for a summer idyl, and yet
and yet. The man who casts off his
real character, and assumes higher,
has some excuse there is the element
Of ambition in his deception; but the
man who voluntarily abjures his birth
right, for the fun of the thing, is
great idiot, and you are that man,
Tom Hamilton. Nsxt time you mas
querade, be Polish count"
Then he heard the piano.
"Ahw he grOaned, "that will be
harder to bear than all the rest, though
probably she will play The Mocking
Bird, or The Maiden's Prayer I've
noticed that those who stand promi-
nent in a good many young ladies' re-
partoire, and though, of course, [ dote
on them both, could exist and never
hear them again. l will forgive her
for playing them, however, if she will
not sing Silver threads among the
Cold"
But no; there was a skilled hand
upon the instrument, and in a moment,
floating from lip and finger, arose ex-
quisite strains from Norma. Tom re-
signed his position as amateur gardner,
and threw himself down under a tree
to listen.
Then followed brilliant rendering
of parts Of Fra Diavolo; then an aria
from Don Giovanni. This she COM
menced, proceeded with certain dis
tance, hesitated, tried again, stopped
again and again this was repeated.
Tom had several good gifts he was a
good musician, and he had an accom-
plishment, which, though it may not
take high rank as an accomplishment,
was still the source Of a great deal of
pleasure; he could whistle as I never
heard mortal, before or since. There
was something positively exquisite in
it-low and tender and sweet. or clear
and strong, as the spirit Of the music
bid.
He thought, Il am not presentable
in your parlor, but / think | can help
you, if am a tramp" So he COM
menced the aria she had failed upon,
thatsweetest of all arias, LA ci darem,"
without a single false note. The mel
ody, with all its tender, soft earnest
ness, its slow, swimming tones of pas
sionate languor fell upon her ear. She