Smyrna times., 1878-01-30
The Willow Switch.

About forty years ago, large part OF
Central New York, that is now fast becom-
ing a garden, was almost new country,
and people talked of knowing West when
they emigrated from the banks of the
Hudson to those of the Genesee. Still
one Of the cities on the line of the Erie
Canal was even then town of some i'm
portance, and boasted much of what then
amounted to wealth and even aristocracy.
OF this latter class had been the family of
Judge Morton, but sundry unlucky specula-
tions had made it impossible for him to re-
turn to his accustomed position among his
old neighbors, and he was about to seek
new field in one of the younger settle
ments.
Everything had long been prepared, the
wagons were laden, the adieux for the most
part of the cavalcade was fairly under way
The heavier goods, indeed, had been started
two or three days before. The ladies of the
party, as well as the gentlemen, had decided
to attempt the journey on horseback, we'll
aware that the condition of the roads, even
though spring was now well advanced,
could not safely be depended upon.
Apart from the rest, mounted on a stout
and quiet looking pony, sat young lady
of some eighteen summers, in whose rosy
cheeks and bright, black eyes the excite
ment of the occasion seemed almost to
have overcome its soberer suggestions.
Still, something like shade was on her
face, as she leaned forward in her saddle
and conversed in low tones with gentle
man whose arm was thrown caIelessly over
the neck of her pony.
Never mind me, Charlie; why it isn't
three days riding, at.the very worst, and
that won't hurt me-"
"But me, Susie l am ordered off for q
long cruise, and l cannot tell when l shall
see you again."
"But you will come back p
"Yes-but when? And will you -"
"Will l what, Charlie?"
await a moment, Susie !"
And the young man, who was in the un
dress uniform of naval officer sprang of
to the side of the road, where some willow
trees were growing in untrimmed luxu
rance. Catching hold of one of the grace
fully bending boughs, he cut therefrom
long and plant slip, with which he return
ed, and stripping off the leaves as he came
"There, Susie; that will do for a ridin
whip, but do not wear it out on your pony
even if the roads are bad
"Why not, Charlie p
because, at the end of my cruise sha
come back to claim it. Will you keep
for me?"
A very soft light stole into the blac
eyes; but she said, in low voice. ayes
Charles, I will keep it. But are you sur
you will come back to claim it?'
"If live, Susie"
"Ah then it is goodbye, sure enough
now, for father is calling. Good.by,
Charliel''
There was a most passionate earnestne'
in the young officers reply, and he stoo
gazing after the pony and his mistress Ion
after they were hidden by a turn in tn
road. We cannot follow him, however, b
land or sea, for our business is with tt
willow switch.
If Susie's pony suffered on the road,
was not from any excessive application
Charles queer memento; and on the thil
day, about noon, Judge Morton rode up
his daughter, and announced that tn,
were close at their journeys end.
They were nearly at fork of the rOa
at the foot ofa gently-sloping hill; and ju
where the two ways met, little sprir
bubbled up and wandered off into an adj
cent meadow. There were more signs
improvement than Susie had expected
but enough Of wilderness remained to a,
to the rural beauty of the spot.
sour new home," said the Judge, "w
be on the top of this knoll when il is bui
and our present quarters, such as they al
will be little further on"
"A sudden thought seemed to have G
tered the brain of Susie.
Father, won't willows grow from slips
"Yes, my dear; that's the usual way
setting them out"
And they want water, don't they?
this one fresh enough to grow?"
/ should say it was"
Well, then. may be we can have sor
thing growing here to remind us of our
home"
In an instant Susan was down from
pony, and the willow switch was careful
planted, just above the little spring.
would have all the water it wanted, at
events. And then Susie and her fat
rode on to their home; but there wal
warm fiutter at the young girls heart, Q
blush on her cheek, as she wonder
"Will it grow?"
The new settlemant was q good one