The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-11-04

appealingly, but that gentleman, with
the relics OF Boston conservatism still
clinging to him, answered lever word,
only smiled Observation-Disclosures I,
aroused, answered, coolly-usinR the
very words Of our oracle-stWe came out
in the woods because We wished to live
deliberately, to front only. the. essential
facts q Lie, aud find out what it had to
teach u.s." A look of astonishment grew
Eyes, chimed in Jessie, quoting from
the same source, 1--WE were tired Of
cabin passage, and ,wiahed to 60 before
the mast, and on the deck of the world. "
"Thoreau, As :live," cried Fred, and
the look Of astonishment deepened.
eyes, Thoreau," said Jessie. calmly.
but mischievously. a." -.
mo man Tor woman, either) can ever
unfold the possibilities of his own INTEL
lect who does not at least checker his
life with solitude"
Mischievously-I say-ior the scene
was, to say the least, slightly amusing.
Time-early morning, and rainy one at
that. Place-the river bank overarched
by dripping trees. Properties-agypsy
fireplace, q smoky fire-two young
ladies engaged in attendance upon it,
and pausing in this occupation to quote
from the classics was somewhat aston
| ishingl
A look OF amazement, mingled with in
terest from Mr.. Archer at this last quota
wondering, doubtless, that a young
Lady should read other than the latest
novel, or the newest society poem.
$50 you read De Quincy. Miss
Cameron? He is one Of my friends, too! !"
eyes, I admire De Quincy very much,
but Thoreau is our oracle Just now let
me bid you welcome to 'Walden.'"
And Mr.. Archer's eye frightened as
he caught sight through the open door
of our ponderous volumes, but I inter-
rupted here with dolorous CIV.
"The fire has gone out; what shall we
do?"
True enough, that provoking fire, TAX
ing advantage of a lull in our efforts, had
disappeared in smoke.
80 dear, we'll have to 60 up to the
house, suppose, after all our trouble.
Just see how I've hurt my hand" And
while Fred examined critically the little
pink palm 1 related our SHOWING adj
ventures"
"a fire, is that all?" said he st their
close. II have not camped out in vain
all these summers" and his ready knife
soon reduced another picket Of that
devoted fence to the requisite size and
ere long a sparkling blaze rewarded his
efforts.
"Why need we go up to the house?"
queried Mr.. Archer. "No one knows
we are coming, and I quite long for one
more outdoor repast. Besides, we have
been 'roughing it so long as to be
scarcely wonted to civilized life as vet"
"Capital!" echoed Fred: "What
have you girls got for breakfast?''
"Corn and potatoes roasted in the
ashes, and corn-bread and molasses.
You remember Thoreau's bill of fare it
is ours, too" replied Jessie, demurely,
with glance at Mr.. Archer as she spoke.
entirely satisfied, and said, oracularly,
HE that eats must work, and if you
gentlemen stay you must pay the pen.
atty. Cousin Fred, there is the basket
and hoe, your post will be the corn field
and potato patch. Mr.. Archer, this fire
will need constant replenishing, so you
may gather sticks" Having thus as
signed them their station, Jessie and
turned our attention to the matter at
hand, and after much merriment and
great deal of waiting, we sat down to
very creditable repast Of the above-men-
toned articles, further reinforced by
l:oston crackers and cold tongue from
the gentlemen's lunch basket. We had
moved the table out under the trees,
and what with improvised seats, the
novelty of the situation, and the laugh
ter and testing consequent thereupon,
passed pleasant hour.
Jessie and dined ut the house that
day, but, positively refusing any further
concession to the world, returned to our
solitude and interrupted studies
studies, however, doomed to more than
one interruption of the same nature, for
the gentlemen protested themselves to
be as much in love with Walden cottage
| and lite therein as we ourselves. and
countless were the fishing parties they
| instituted, and delicious the chowders
they concocted, and many were the
hunting expeditions from which they re-
turned laden with small game, to be
cooked in hunters fashion, but most ap-
petizingly, at our gypsy fireplace, and,
/ fear me, Tame and Ollendorf were
most sadly neglected the while we gained
in the art Of angling, or took long wood
land rambles, from which we returned
with happy faces and brows crowned
| with wild flowers.
It might also have been noted about
| this time that sundry changes took
place in our attire, numerous bright
ribbons and fresh lawns taking the place
of our somber serviceable grays, almost
without our knowledge.
It was on one of these self.same RAM
bles late in the month, when Fred and I
had fallen behind Jessie and Mr.. Archer,
which, by the way, had happened very
often in these latter days, and some way
they never seemed to mind it either !
It was on one of these rambles, say,
that Fred bent his handsome blonde
head very low and whispered though
why should he whisper, there was no one
to hear?
eve are going back in three days,
Nan; our vacation is more than past.
Shall you care very much ?"
And I, startled by the sudden an
nouncement, lifted my eyes quickly to
his face, which was not at all prudent
under the circumstances, and he read
what he chose in their depths, and then
but there, I shall not tell you word
he said, that is my secret. / only know
that few minutes after Fred was very
near, and I was turning a jewelsd circlet
on my finger, and seeing it through a
mist Of tears that dimmed its glitter
strangely.
"The time is very near, Nan; don't
you think you had better break up at
Walden ?" This brought me to myself
with a start, as I exclaimed, remorse-
fully:
"What will Jessie sayP'
There is your answer" laughed
Fred, pointing down long reach Of
trees, at whose farther end could be seen
the glimmer Of pale blue lawn, with a