The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-03
THE OLD BROOK FARM.
EY VIRGINIA F. TOWNSEND.

She sat in the south room, before her
small spinningrvheel; for tie time OF
which | write wis in the opriiing OF the
nineteenth century, and the asthetic
element occupied a comparatively IN
conspicuous position in the education of
the daughters of Purlten men and
women.
SO Charity Ames sat there with the
sweat spring winds and the pleasant sun
shine slipping through the south win:
dows snatches Of low psalm tunes
iluttering out of her lips, and faltering
back and forth in the air.
She was net beautiful, Charity Ames,
but she was,a little, dainty, plump, girl
woman, with soft, full outlines, and
checks where roses forever were going in
and ont, and blue eyes with a dimple of
| sunshine in them.
Charity@as the light of her fathers
eyes she was like spring bird in that
little brown home nest; always full OF
smiles and snatches of song, and pretty,
graceful household ways; for the whole
domestic charge had fallen on her since
her mothers death, six years before.
Charity was twenty-five. Of course she
had not blossomed into all these years
without having her share Of admirers
and at singing-schools, and qlNtings, and
apple-bees, that bright, sweet, vivid face
flashed in and out among the rustic
bcaux and maidcns but the fragrance
and beauty of its life was still kept to
gladden. the old yellow-brown house on
the Woodford Turnpike.
But thai afternoon, while the snatches
of the old church airs and the drone OF
the spinning-whrcl were woven into each
other like bright woof and gray warp,
there went on in the breast of Charity
Amcs good deal of serious dubitation,
somewhat after this fashion:
ut isn't an offer 10 be snuifed at, now
And to think might really be Squire
Heningway's lady, and live in the great
white house on the hill, with all those
elegant pets and mahogany furniture
Then I'd have carriage to ride, and be
so grand. And, what is more than al
the rest, father is growing old and giving
out all the time, and could be such 8
comfort and help to him. The 'Squire''
almost fifty, it is true, but he's hand
some man, though his hairs got Il gooc
deal gray; and he has little pompou:
way, but | s'posc it is natural. Mrs
Squire Hemingway! That sounds well
Aud how everybody would open theil
eyes. But dear me"
Just at that moment the small brown
wicket opened, aud a pair of feet came
softly through the thick grass, and rounc
by the side of the house; so softly thai
Charity Ames did not hear them, unit
she looked up suddenly and saw a some
what slender figure and fine, honest
n-bronzed face standing in the door.
Good afternoon, Miss Charity" The
tones were clear, brave, pleasant; some
how they suited the face.
The girls head bridlcd little. Sht
had one of those heads that are neve
still, that are always restlessly swayins
and futtering about like leaves in sleep,
winds.
Good afternoon; won't. you walk in
Mr.. Taylor?" The voice was soft ant
steady enough, and 50 was Charity's face
for she was much engrossed just then il
tying "head',. of flax to the distaff, viii
fingers not quite so steady as the voic'
and face.
"Thank you; can't stay to 81
down." answered the young man, as h
crossed the door; 'but Miss Parsol
wanted me to step in, on my way to tn
mill, and see if you'd have her chees
ready this week"
90 yes! | shall take it out of the pres
tomorrow"
The errand was accomplished, bu
somehow the young man fingered, an
finally walked to the window a littl
awkwardly and broke one of the lila
boughs from the trees, though the smal
pink blossoms had scarcely begun to tut
out.
"What pleasant view you have fror
this south window" looking out to th
grove of pines, and off TO the sea-
ayes; | always bring my spinning her
in the pleasant days"
This time the girl looked and smiled
a smile that would have done the hea
Of any man good, but that did more tina
this to Reuben Taylor, who would hay
laid down his life for Charity Ames.
He drew little nearer the girl. ''Tf
singing-school is goin' to have sail dow
to Rocky Beach, as soon as the moon &c
large enough, which will happen by Il
last Of next week. I think; ] should Ill
TO engage your company il its agre
able"
= The speaker caught his breath lit
at these last words, but he got brave
y through them after all.
The spinning-wlieel suddenly paus
e in its revolutions Charity tapped t
board meditatively with her foot. Il a
C much obliged to you, Mr.. Taylor, and
| can be spared"
le "Oh, come now, Charity, do say you
gow
o The words were not much, but t
tones were,
p. The roses hurried into the girls chee
$. now, and she made half-coquetti
% movement backward; but the ansv
h. came pretty readily-"Weil, I'll go il
can, Mr.. Taylor"
a. The Young mans deep brown G.
v flashed with pleasure. "Thank you, Oh
If itv. Truly, wish you'd call me r,
ben, as you used to when we went to
an old red school house on the green
70 "Well, we've grown older since tn
IN YOU know" making tactile invest
iv ton of her flax.
w RS eyes, / know; but somehow yo'
se. never seem anything to me but Lit
Charity Ames."
,r:: "And you will never seem to me a
gc thing but just the provoking, torment