The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-07-23
Select Story.
A RARE CASE.

n RAKE IAOE.
Mattie's story was simple enough. The
orphan girl of Il former servant in n
wealthy family, Matte had shared
the lessons and the play of the younger
daughter of the house, until time came
when it was convenient to turn the hum
bic companion adrift to work for herself.
1t may have been piece of the i'll luck
his neighbors ascribed to Drew, that it
should have been to his farm the girl
came as help to his sister, or it may have
been a piece of his good nature that
made him agree to take under his roof
this pretty lass, unframed forseryice and
educated far above her station.
Drew's widowed sister, Mrs. Bankes,
who lived with him, and whose child ii
was Matte had come to nurse, amongst
other duties too numerous to mention.
for there was but one servant kept
Drew's sister exclaimed in despair when
the farmer brought home the young, lady
like, delicate-looking girl:
we want Il strong, hard working
lass! This one does not know her right
hand from her left She is as good as
lady, or rs bad, and has never MIXED Z
COW in her life What were you think
ing of to bring her here!
'Ahl that's Just my luck; well, We
must do the best we can with her. Ii tho
steward had never mentioned hel
now-but then he did mention her. and
here she is.
There she was, and there she stayed
Apt to learn, willing to be taught, CRATE
full for the real kindness she met with
Matte was soon the best hand at milk
| inc for miles around, soon devoted tC
the baby Three years passed quietly
and then came the romance OF Matte
life.
She was 20 that summer, and Adam
Armitage, a grave man, was fuily TEL
years her senior. a great traveller, mem
Der of world-renowned scientific socle
tv. student and discoverer--he was be
tween two scientific expeditions, refresh
ing heart and brain by - walking tou
through the home counties.
Adams walking tour ended at tn
farm Drew had taken only year befor
and the dwelling house it had found NOR
convenient to inhabit than the smalle
building on the old land close to tn
road. Mr. Armitage found the pure nj
of the Downs good for him. He mad
friends with all the family To Matte
was delightful to meet once more som
one with all the tricks and speech an
manner of the more refined societ
among which her youth had been passeo
Little Harry followed this new trlen
wherever he went; Harry's mother calle
him right down pleasant gentleman
the farmer called him good man.
They all missed him when he wer
away, Matte most of all; but the follow
inc summer saw him there again,
welcome old friend this time and n
stranger.
Drew. a keen observer of all that wer
on around him, was not so much take
by surprise as his sister was, when on
day towards the end of this second Wis
Adam and Matte were both mysterlou
" missing. a strong-armed country las
made her appearance before night 81
was the bearer of note from Mattl
confessine that she and Mr.. Armitas
were married, and hoping the servar
sent might supply her place, So that
one would be inconYenienced. Dire
might shake his head and look though
full, but Mr.. Armtage was his own ma
ter, and it was not the first time a ge
tleman had married a country lass. Is
sides, the deed was done and past reca
They had gone quietly to one OF Il
churches in the town from whence ii
sound of bells tloated up to the tari
and had been married by special licen>
Adam had taken lodging for his brid
and there they passed one brief, brig
week of happiness, then one momil
walked quietly back together, Matt
blushing and smiling, and looking
lovely and lady-iike in n simple DIRE
that She used to wear before she came
the farm that they hardly knew her,
Adam explained that he meant to lea
his wife for two days-no more-in t
care of her old friends; at the end
that time he would return to fetch h
There were arrangements to make wi
regard to the scientific expedition abe
to start Immediately. Ii would sail vii
out him now, but it behooyed him to
his best that his place should be filled
might be, There was also his mott
to see and prepare for receiving Matt
Matte walked a little way with J
husband and the farmer, along the brec
uplands, and then Adam sent her ba
and fastened his own steps IN the dir
tion of the little station at the foot
the Downs. When he came again,
said, laughing, that it would be tr'
b station, and that he would DIR
in a fly through the Stonedene gate alo
the track, the only approach to a caria
road leading to the farm.
Matte went away smiling, as
meant she should do, and only pau'
now and then to look after the two II
as long as they remained in sight
was natural that she should feel lii
afraid of this unknown lady, Ada
mother, but that fear was the only sh
ow on Matties path, twas an il
a poem, as true love story
the world has even seen, that had W
ten itself here in this out-of the-way 5
on the lonely Sussex Downs.
On the third day they might look
adam 10 return, but that day passed..