The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-12-08

house as neat and bright as possible,
so that Tom might find rest and 1n-
fort when he came home tired from
his days work. When everything
was in readiness for him-the table
spread, the fire bright, and 1.-THE kettle
singing on. the hob-I,used often 10
lock my door, and, going ont. lose
myself in the woods, and resting for
a time on the messy rocks dreamily
%atch the ri eer singing aloae . it
self in a happy monotone, Some
times the school children woaldcome
trooping through the woods hiling
the air with the music Of their hap
py voices-little barefooted urshins,
with tangled locks and bright eyes,
motley assemblagc, with figged
clothes and brimless hats and dirty
faces, but a very joyous one. How
they used to stare when they saw
me, whispering to and nudging each
other with vide open eyes; then; un.
responsive to my friendly advances,
darting'off in pursuit of birds or
squirrels, leaving my solitldeas un.
broken as before.
But the long drives with Tom were
my chief delight. The brown little
horse and open wagon were brought
to the door almost every afternoon,
and away we would so, frolicking
| like two children, with Rover, the
dog, following, and the horse shaking
his wise old head in solemn disap-
proval of our proceedings. First we
would visit the farmhouse where
TOMS father and mother Hssd; give
and receive the news of th4day; then
off again-over the hills anil through
the woods; Memory stillbTings back
to me the odor of the pines and again
! breathe the sweet mountain air.
Oar neighborhood was a vary social
one, and Tom and I were invited
everywhere. Picnics, huskings, tea
parties followed each other lin quick
succession, and I came to know the
pleasant country people well. Still,
there were times when I grew very
lonely, with Tom away all day and
no sound to be heard save the mur-
mur of the river and the singing of
the birds. Bat after my baby came
was never lonely again. What a
wonder he was 10 me at FIRST, with
with his funny little ways! l was
almost afraid TO touch him, for fear
he would drop to pieces in my arms.
But soon grew accustomed to him,
and many frolic we had, while Tom
sat by, laughing at us. Really, Mol.
lie, he would says do not know
which is the biggest baby of the two"
But he was very proud ofus, for all
his teasing. A year or two after ba.
by's birth, my sister Kate came to
spend the winter with me. She was
a handsome, high spirited city girl,
and soon al hearts yielded to her
power and no company was consider
ed complete without the beautiful
Miss Lacey. well, Katie" Tom
used to say, 81 need not have bought
any wood this winter, for the whole
house is hot with the sights 4ofs de,
spairing lovers" But she was hard
hearted and would look ut none OF
Them. Among her other admirers
was Mr.. Pierce, a young lawyer
lately settled in the village and a
great favQritc with Tom and me; but
think,that Kate teased him rather
worse than she did any one else.
often grew angry with the child; but
no anger could long withstand the
charm Of her winning ways, and al.
though began by scolding her, |
generally ended by laughing at her.
How lovely she used to look, as she
came dancing into my room, ready
for some pleasure, with her eyes
shining like stars, her cheeks like
roses, and her face bcaming with
mischief under her white hood. 81
came! lsaw! Iconqueredl? was her
motto, and sho fully CARVED it ont.
l remember that u great deal of snow
fell that winter, and as spring came
on all the sTiversand brooks became
very much swollen; but our river had
never been Known to rise very high
and we feared nodanger, Ny second
boy was born in Marcia pretty,
blue,eyed little darling and the
Happiness Of oNr home was complete