The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1879-03-27

ment had secured.
"As though pa would board there for
nothing, was Josie's indignant rejoin-
der "when Uncle William has such q
hard time TO get along"
"Well, il your pa chooses TO pay
when he needn't and IL isn't expected OF
him, it's his own loss. For my pnrt,
don't zee what's the good of having re-
lationa II you cant make use Of them. "
Mrs. Wilson certainly believed in
making her relatives useful; carrying
ont that belief 10 lbs fullest extent,
whenever il was practicable, AZ some Of
them knew TO their cost. Even her love
for her daughters partook OF the selfish
mesa of her intensely selfish nature, her
chief anxiety being 10 get them "oif her
hands," in n manner that would be M
advantageous aud reflect IA much credit
TN herself as possible.
But they were gone at last, and Josie
wns at liberty 10 make her own simple
preparations, which did not take her
long TO complete. The father and
daughter bad nice quiet day together.
Josie was going on the morrow, and az.
sitting opposite him, pouring out his
ten, she saw the hard lines soften in his
careworn face, and how happy no was in
her society, her heart roproached her
for leaving him.
1--WE half mind not to go, pa; il
seems too bad to leave you here NIL by
yourself"
But Mr.. Wilson would not hear to
| this,
81 insist on your going; you have
been working hard, and need n change.
My life would be much the same, any
way"
"You may expect me in three weeks,
pa, " smiled Josie from the car window,
the next morning. "You will want
your little housekeeper 10y that time,
know"
And Mr.. Wilson went back to the cor
roding an1ieties which had made him al
old man before his time, thanking God
for this bit Of sunshine, which left
ts glow in the hearth long after il had
vanished.
There were only few passengers foI
Baybridge, a small country town in tht
Interior Of the State, though there were
he usual louugers upon the platform. OF
he station as Josie stepped out. But
they soon scattered, leaving her TO stare
olankly around for the conveyance that
she supposed would DO waiting for her.
She walked clear around the station,
looking in every direction, but not n
vehicle was in sight, except rough box
wagon with board ncross it, drawn by
pair Of spirited black horses, who
stamped their feet and tossed their
heads as il impatient TO be Off. A man
stood beside The FESTIVE creatures, who
yet seemed to be under perfect control.
"There, Jenny Be easy, Katel' he
said, patting the satin-smooth skin and
speaking very much as mother would
to a child.
The baggagemaster was standing near
pile Of trunks and parcels.
"Is this your trunk, miss ?" he said,
as Josie approached him.
eyes. / WAS expecting friends to
meet me, but they are not here There
must be some mistake"
81 know most of the people aronnd
here. What might their names be"
"Crofton."
"Why, bless me, you've got of a
the wrong station. They live at North
Raybridge, five miles beyond"
"When does the next train leave p
Tomorrow morning
Josie looked the dismay that she Ger
tainly felt at this announcement.
cts too bad, l declare" said th,
good-natured Official, plying JOSIE
evident distress. Then, as his eye fel
uuon the owner of the team, who wa
looking toward them, he added: Il
this amt a stream of luck Here's Johl
Manning, their neighbor. He can tax
you along Just as well as not. John
here's a young woman that's got off a
the wrong station. She wants to go t,
Crofton's. tell her that she can rid
with You"
The young man removed his stray
hat, revealing forehead broad and full
, and whose Wilderness contrasted strong
" with the healthful brown of the cheek
[ below.
( L" I shall be very happy, if the youn
] lady has no objection to riding with
/ farmer, and in farmers wagon"
The admiration so clearly visible
e the honest blue eyes that met her owl
D made Josie's cheeks redden.
!, "If it will not be too much trouble.
e As the young man listened to thot
e low, soft-spoken words, he felt thu