Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-31

WahJs 10 go 10 CTOICOnB. l tell hel
she can ride with YOU"
The young man removed bis straw
hat, revealing a forehead broad and
full, and whose whiteness contrasted
strongly with the healthy brown Of
the cheeks below.
~ shall be very happy ifthe young
lady has no objection to riding with q
farmer, and in farmers wagon"
The admiration so clearly visible
in the honest blue eyes that met hel
own, madeJ osie's cheeks redden.
"If it would not be too much
trouble" 4g tet
AS the young man listened to those
low, softly spoken words, he felt moth
ing the speaker could ask would
be any trouble at all. Springing ia
work he soon improvised quite q com.
Portable seat for Josie by passing a
rope from one stake to another, just
back Of the board in front, throwing a
thick soft blanket over the whole. .
Glad to be released, Jennie and
Kate bore them swiftly along over the
winding country road, dotted here and
there by farm houses, nestled down
among the trees and shrubbery. As
soon as Josi5 got little used to it
'she enjoyed her elevated and novel
position, which gave her a fine view
of the country through which they
were passing.
Her companion smiled at her enthu-
siastic ordinations and comments,
seeming to take pleasure SO frankly
and innocently expressed.
"Do you think you would like to
live in the country 2" he said, stealing
an admiring glance at the glad young
face. a.r
"Above all things" responded Josie,
"Tbat u.s." she added, after a mo-
ment's pause, "if papa could be here
too. | wish he could be just for a
little while; he would enjoy it so,
Papa was brought up on q farm.
heard him say once that he wished he
had never left it"
81 had q strong desire, when q boy,
to go the city, where I could get a
chance to get rich, and not have to
work so hard. But am an only son
an only child since last WINTER
here the speakers eyes saddened. 81
promised father just before he died
that wouldn't never leave the farm
while mother lived, and | know that
| don't care to do SO now"
wouldn't if were in your place."
said Josie, with wise shake of her
pretty head. "Its dreadful hard times
in the city. Everybody is grooming
about them, which makes them dis
NAL enough. And as to working
hard, Ed like to know who works
harder than pa does. Its ever SO
much nicer here"
The honest young fellow whose
heart was in his eyes, inwardly hoped
that she would always think so.
"rhere's where l live" he said,
pointing to house with wide piazza
around two sides, and which looked
very pleasant amid the green verdure
that surrounded it.
Young Manner drew the reins at
the gate, inside Of which a pleasant
faced silver-haired woman was stand
ing.
"Here's the mail, MOTHER" he said,
tossing down to her some papers and
pamphlets. "Been lonely any, Pm
going to take this young lady to Mr..
Crofton's. My mother, Miss Wilson,"
The young man took leave of Josie
with a feeling at his heart such as he
had never experienced before.
GLOW pretty she u.s." he thought,
land as good as pretty, am sure"
"What an honest and pleasant face!
l wonder if / shall ever see him again!"
This was what she thought.
Josie did see him again and quite
often. The Mannings were not only
neighbors, but intimate. Mary Croft
ton had been strangely attached to
Mrs. Manning's only daughter, who
died the preceding winter. She spent
a good deal of time at her house, and
Josie with her. Mary was never
weary of praising John; he was such
good son, and so intelligent, steady
and industrious.
John soon got over the shyness
with the city girl, who took so kindly
to country ways that it seemed as if
she had always lived in the country.
He used to walk home with her,
Mary considerably lingering by the
gate to talk with his mother, well
pleased with the turn affairs were
taking.
Then there were rides and walks,
picnies and social gatherings, at all of
which John and Josie had fashion
l. I.