Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-03
StlttteO StQrp.
PASSEE. .

/ Mr.. EgSklne was an idler that summer,
as well rs n stranger, in the pleasant
sown OF Br.egihorpe Just up from a
typhoid fever, tho doctor had ordered
I bim 10 take bis ease and forget business.
I Mr.. ErSSiue was a single gent.eman-A
/ fac: hiob BEierihorPe wss not slow 10
I discover. lie was not without means, -
the gossips further voucAsaied, and he
I possessed a fine figure and como!y
cOun.onauc0, wi,h manners 50 genial and
I polished as 70 be irresistible. Naturally
the lgst families were anxious 10 make
the acquaintance Of gentleman so 81
;racdye, especially as young men were
not abundant, and the supply of mar
risgesb.e daughters greater than the de-
mand. Bu. they were anxious 10 show
him the civilities due to the stranger
within their gates-ot course no, with
The remOiest idea, We know, of throwing
Florence Ann or Ruth Ellen at his very
promising head. And what the first fam
lies had = mind 10 DO, that they speedily
accomplished. The Misses Aardacre.
having gone out 10 row in q loaky boat.
managed 10 come 20 grief one afternoon
IN Mr.. ESskine neighborhood. where he
was varying the solitude by fishing and
ske,ching by turns, with bis wherry an
chOIed near. lie made haste 70 90 to
Iheir assistance, to be sure, IS their boat.
having bit shsrd tooth of The hidden
rocks, threatened to capsize. lie took
them into his own craft, palpitating with
/ pleasure At the success OF their strata
gem, and be rowed them agsins, the tide
70 the border Of the paternal acres. The
Young ladies were rendered fluent by the
emotion called gratitude. Papa would
ne so glad to make the gentloman's &C
qualntance; their preseryer would a.
ways be remembered; would he give
them his card ard address, that psps
might call and thank him' p and so forth
and so on.
Mr. Erskine WAS not sorry that a ro-
mantle episode had arrived to vary the
mouotony of his retirement. The young
ladies were pretty and spoke with the ao
cent OF cultivated people, and wore the
fashions of good society; and he wa,
waxing more or less weary of books snt
the middle-Aged mediocrity al his board
ing house. lie felt natural craving iol
/ society Pere Hsrdacre called and die
the afTaJle thing, snd invited the young
hero 10 his house; and before he weel
ended BrierthOrpe rang with the repor
Mr.. Erskine had rescued Miss Lind.
from a wsteIy grave a! the risk OF hi
lite, snd Was on such intimate terms will
the family that The usual deH0teme's va
imminent. This, however, was not eX
actly the case. 1t is true that Mr.. Frs
kline became toleIably at home in III
Hardscre mansion; that he rowed ant
drove with the girls. especially with Mis-
Linda; that he taught Le. 10 sketch
H.ue. and spent good dosi OF bis ieisur
Oh their cIoqueL ground; ;haI be dance
more frequently with her than with Ii
other young ladies' to whom the force c
circumstances and society had obliged th
Misses Hsrdacre 10 introduce him; ths
be walk ed in the moonlight with Mis-
Linda-that season so conducive t
luuscy-and hsd the general air OF hsy
ing been smitten by her charms, as we
as Brier,horpe could interpret it.
- wonder, said be Oae evening, q"
YOU know u Miss Laura Lorius who live
in this neighborhoOd somewhere ?"
was the night OF Nr5. Cores garde
pae,y. a1d they we're .oi,eriug f. ID
Pine Grove. through whicl Lhe Chimes
lanterns shed light as gorgeous as tins
reflected iron painted windows, whil
I the band tiscourSed some Delanchol
music from some hidden nook, snd ga
couples were passing and repassiug o
tieis Tey to end from the lawn, Ther
refreshments and wslizicg were enjoyed
"A friend Of mire writes me tia! she
worth cultiyating." he pursued. "YO
will hnd her q great addition TO the pies;