The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-03-20

country through whlch they were pass
Her companion smiled at her en-
thusiastic exclamations and comments,
seeming to take pleasure in the pleas
ure so frankly and innocently ex-
pressed.
do you think you would like to
live in the country?'' he said, stealing
an admiring glance at her glad young
face.
"Above all things" I" responded Josie.
ment's pause, +" if papa could be here,
little while, he would enjoy it so. Papa
was brought up on a farm, and 1t
would seem like old times to him. I
heard him say once that he wished he
had never left it.''
"I had a strong desire, when a boy,
to go to the city, where could have 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. "Iprom-
ised father. Just before he died, that /
would not leave the farm, and don't
know that care to do so now"
81 wouldn't if were in your place."
SAID Josie, with a wise shake of her
pretty head. "It's dreadful hard times
in the city. Everybody is groaning
about them, which makes it dismal
enough. And as to working hard, I'd
like to know who works harder than pa
does. It's ever so much nicer here"
The honest young fellow, whose heart
was in his eyes. inwardly hoped that
she would always think so.
"There is where / lve," he said,
aloud, pointing to house with piazza
running around two sides, and which
looked very pleasant amid the green
verdure that surrounded it.
Young Manning drew the reins at the
gate. inside of which pleasant-faced,
silver-haired woman was standing.
Here's the mail, mother" he said.
tossing down 70 her some papers and
pamphlets. "Been lonely any? I'm
going to take this young lady to Mr..
Crofton's. My mother, Miss Wilson,"
The young man took leave of Josie
with feeling at his heart such as he
had never experienced before.
"How pretty she isr' he thought;
and as good as she is pretty, 1 am
sure"
What an honest and pleasant face!
I wonder If I shall ever see him againr'
This is what she thought.
Josie did see him again, and quite
often. The Manning's and Croften's
were not only neighbors, but very init
mate. Mary Crofton had been strange
" attached to Mr.. Manning's only
daughter, who died the preceding win
ter. She spent a good deal of time at
her house, and Josie frequently went
with her. Mary was never weary of
praising John; "he was such q good
son, and SO intelligent, steady and in
dustriOus."
John, too, got over his shyness with
the city girl, who took so kindly to
country ways that it seemed as if she
had always lived there. He used to
walk home with her, Mary considerable
ly lingering by the gate to talk with his
mother, both well-pleased at the turn
affairs were taking. Then there were
rides and walks, picnics and social
gatherings, at all Of which John and
Josie had q fashion of getting off by
Themselves fashion that every one
seemed to honor and understand. And
SO the happy days went on, each day
binding those loving young hearts more
closely together.
When Josie returned to the city,
which was two weeks later than she in
tended, she had q pleasant story to
whisper in her fathers ear.
"n you love him and he is worthy
of you," he said, in reply to the query
with which it ended.