Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-09-18

wants to go to Crofton's. I tell her
she can ride with N1nsk

wants to go to CrSfton's. I tell her
she can ride with san
The young man removed his straw
hat, revealing a forehead broad and
Hull, and whose whitenesa icontrasted
Strongly with the healthy brown Of
the cheeks below.
II shall be very happy, if the young
lady has no objection to riding with
a farmer, and in a farmers wagon"
The admiration SO clearly visible
in the honest lluc eyes that met her
own, made Josie's cheeks relden.
"If it will not be too much
trouble"
As the young man listened to those
low, softly spoken words, he feltn
ing the speaker could ask would be
any trouble at all. Springing TO
work, lie soon improvised quite a
comfortable seat for Josie by passing
o rope from one stake to another, Just
back of the board in front throwing
a thick, eoft blanket over the whole.
Glad to be released, Jenny and
Kate bore them swiftly along the
winding country road, dotted here
and there by farm houses, nestled
down among trees and shrubery AS
soon as Josie got a little used to it
she enjoyed her elevated and novel
position, which gave her fine view
Of the beautiful country through
which they were passing.
Her companion smiled at her en-
thusisstic exclamations and COM
ments seeming to take Pleasure SO
frankly and innocently expressed.
"Do you think you would like 10
live in the country ?" he said, steal
ing an admiring glance at the glad
young face,
"Above all things" responded Josie.
"That is" she added, after moments
pause IF papa could be here too, I
wish he could be, just for a little
while, he would enjoy it so. Papa
was brought up on farm. I heard
him say once that he wished that he
had never left it.
81 had a strong desire when a boy,
to 90 to the city, where l could get
a chance to get rich, and not have to
work so hard. But l am the only
son and only child since last winter
here the speakers eyes saddened,
81 promised father just before he
died, that I wouldn't leave the
farm while mother lived. and / don t
know that | care to do 50 now"
81 wouldn't if I were in yolr
place" said Josie with shake OF her
pretty head. cts dreadful hard
times in the city. Everybody is
grcaning about them, which makes it
dismal enough. And as to working
hard. I'd like to know who works
harder than ma does. It's ever so
much nicer here"
The honest young fellow, whose
heart was in his eyes, inwardly hoped
she would always think so.
"There is where I live" he said,
aloud, pointing to house with u
wide piazza running around the sides,
and which looked very pleasant amid
the green verdure that surrounded it.
Young Manning drew the reins at
the gate, inside of which a pleasant
faced, ailver-haired woman was stand
ing.
Here 5 the mail, mother" he said
tossing down to her some papers and
pamphlets. "Becn lonely, any2 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 is" ho thought,
"and as good as pretty, am sure.
"What an honest aud pleasant
face I wonder if I shall ever see
him againl' This was what she
thought,
Josie did see him again and quite
often. The Manningu and C.oitons
were not only neighbors but were in
timste, Mary Crofton had been
strangely attached TO Mrs. Mannins's s
only daughter, who died the pyeced.
ing winter. She spent good deal
Of time at hor, house, and Josie fre-
quently with her. Mary was never
weary Of praising John; he was snch
a good son, and SO intelligent, steady
and Industrious.