The Osceola times., 1880-08-21


homestead as the wife OF Deacon Josiah
Stubbs.
Her heart was rs warm and tender as
when they were all children under the
same roof, and the annual coming of the
daughters OF Charley and Fred TO the
old homestead, had become the Joy of
her life, and though her husband sighed
and groaned and was made miserable
by the laughter-loying set of madcap
girls, he was Obliged 10 remember that
the place was once the home of their
fathers, and they were to be denied
nothing in the power of Aunt MARA to
grant.
Meanwhile, the girls in their pictur-
esque costumes went jolting alOug the
green tree shaded lane.
"Never jollier set of bl.ckberriersl"
exclaimed Sue, holding mp q pair of
whiie-gloved hands. "Who would think
these same ten-buttoned kids had
mingled in grand festivities at he opera
house, and actually been clasped by the
exquisite Theophilus Manly in the Ger
man"
"And never a Jollier darling than
good, dear Aunt Maria. Why, she's not
a day over sixteen" laughed Nay, ad-
justing her antiquated shaker
BLESS your great heart" chimed in
Hattie, queen of the party, as she
spurred on old Nance to her best efforts.
"Buf how she ever came TO marry that
walking tombstone, Josiah Stubbs, pass
eth my under eistanding"
"rurn to the left" interrupted May,
mimicing the nasal tones OF their uncle;
'and keep up the road good bit till ye
come to Squire Buttles' waterin'
trough, and Jet Nancy drink there; then
turn to the right inter a sort o. blind
wood road, and you'll soon come to the
berry patch"
Verbatim" laughed Rose. "V'hat a
memory you have, Cousin May. But
hope we shall not encounter that nobby
Squire Buttles while Nancy regales her
sell at the trough"
"You haven't the least idea he would
recognize Aunt Maria's city nieces in
such rirs?" questioned Sue.
"Hc certainly would know the horse"
"Well, for your comfort, yonder is the
stately white mansion of the Buttles
family, and here is the watering trough
good half mile away, and not sail in
| sight," said Hattie, drawing rein.
They sat chattering and laughing as
only girls can, talking altogether. and,
what was strange, intelligibly to each
| other, while the patient steed was sip
ping from the moss-covered basin, when
| the sound Of Gathering hoofs broke upon
| their merry chatter, and splendidly-
formed and graceful young gentlman
went dashing by, lifting his hat as he
passed.
Shades of Erebus!" gasped Rose. at
is ne other than the Squire. / shall die
of vexation. wonder if he saw uncle's
boots?"
Nonsense" laughed Hattie, turning
down the obscure wood road Indicated;
"do you suppose he could see four pair
| of feet and rs many old hats at that Gill
pin paceP'
Thus rattling on they reached the
| berry patch, and we're soon in the midst
of the luscious food, planning how they
would surprise Aunt Maria with full
pals, and of The pies and short cake that
good soul would make for them on the
morrow.
There! I've completely demolished
| aunty's DRESS" exclaimed Hattie, while
May held up a pretty white arm marked
| by ugly scratches, and declared she was
disfguied for life.
''Oh, dearl 1t Is high noon, [ know"
| interposed Rose, coming out of a tangle
| of briars heated and flushed, "and have
picked my last berry. 1t is fearful work,
and am completely tagged out. Let's
have dinner"
at isn't more than 10 o'clock" laughed
Hattie.
Il don't care, I'm in a starving condi.
ton.
"Oh oh! ohp
what in the world is the natter"
asked all the girls in breath as Rose
ended her sentence with scream after
scream, and then dashing in haste down
the glen.
"Ob! great snake" exclai med Sue.
Instantly they all followed Rose, who
was stumbling over stones and logs, and
at last would have fallen head first over
a precipice had she not landed in the
arms Of gentleman who was lying at
full length upon the green sward beneath
a majestic oak. beside babbling brook.
Fortunately at the sound of the girls
screaming he had risen to his feet, and
so saved her from n most ignominious
fall.
AS it was she stood breathless, pale
and trembling in every limb, minus one
boot, and her hat having disappeared to
keep it company, leaving her glorious
hair in a state of wonderful enchant-
ment.
what has happened?" questioned the
gentleman, as he supported the trem-
bling girl.
On the instant waves of brilliant
bushes swept away all the pallor from
the face of Rose, for she knew her pre-
server was no other than the young
Squire Buttles.
at was a snake" she managed TO ar
ticulate, and she sank down out of his
were Joined by the rest of the frightened
continued. "and but tor Uncle Josiah's
boots | must have been bitten;" and
then she blushed more divincly still az
she glanced at the pretty pink. stockened
foot.
A smile lighted up the face ofthe gen.
tleman as he took in the picturesque
grou,, all disconnected and rosy as a
June morning.
at Is most disgraceful cscapade,"
exclaimed Hattie, and you will think
us disreputable set TO be gotten up in
such costumes" and she turned with
great dignity to the gentleman who had
introduced himself.
"Not in the least, Miss Willard" he
replied; people do not go berrying in
silken hose and Sunday hats" and he
smiled down into the apple-blossom face
OF Rose.
"Ohl yes, they do" laughed roguish
Sue; "as Rose, for instance. She wanted