The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-04-03
Written for the Free Trader.
LOCUST VALLEY;
or,
MONEY Is POWER.
BY DIR. sTETNWAN.

president, and gentleman in every sense o'
m, word She removed with him to Louis
Vile. XIV. and took my way, in the summer
Of 1850, to visit her Tor the first time IN hcr
rev home. She had not seen me Tor ten years
and As /, was agreeable all around, EXTENDED
NV visit for many weeks. On my way down
bcriyer whom should meet on the steamboat
nm, NV childhood's friend kind Mr. Ward, OF
Pittsburgh lie was on his way to visit some
friends near Louisville He Informed that his
daughter julia had preceded HIM some three
months, and ended by inviting me to ride out
TO Nazareth during my stay at Louisville
This | gladly accepted. | was anxious to see
nv old friend Julia again. Moreover 1t was
two years since had had the episode with
Miss Laura. and my habits were more cstab'
hshed, therefore ! thought might approach
my old friend again.
One bright day in June took che stage for
This lovely place, 1t was the seat OF Catho'
lie school, and Julias uncle had charge or
oversight of the place, The rldc was de
bghtful one of twenty-five miles To BardNtown.
I dismounted at Nazareth, and sent my trunk
No this village, some five miles further On, IT.
was past noon, as with my light ovcrcohl over
my arm, and small satchcl IN my left hand,
1 took my way up the long avenue The
buildings were on fine iisc Of ground at the
end of the avenue, and not far from the centres
Of the large, wcllcultivated farm. AS walk.
ed leisurely along cspied young lady seat
ed under great apple tree, apparently engag-
cd in perusing some kind OF a magazine. Il
gazed at her quietly for some moments, and
then said
Excuse me, Miss, but may inquire if this
rs Nazareth SCHOOL,"
She started just little, and then replied,
without rising: ut is, sir.'
knew this was my old friend Julia, but
che did not know mc-did not expect me as
her father had not mentioned the meeting with
me,
perhaps you can tell me if Mr. Ward Isl
stopping here at present." She looked at me
with some curiosity
II think YOU will find HIM at the house, W
she said, quietly.
Miss Julia Ward, have you forgotten your
old friend Ned IIunt:'
She sprang TO her feet turning first pale and
then red, and exclaimed: at is not possible ;;
you here"
yes, 1T is possible, and II you will come
pear the fence will shake hands with YOU
With real pleasure depicted upon her AMI
mated counlcnancc, she came forward and
presented her hand.
shook 1t warmly. Then assisted her ov.
or the board fence, and we walked lcsurelyI
along towards the house As We grew more
animated IN our conversation, found myself
regarding my old friend with more than ordin-
ary attention ] found her well grown--nOtI
hail but well developed The face was plain,
but very expressive, and what the face lacked
IN beauty was more than compensated by the,
perfection of her form, and every movement
was easy and graceful. Hcrdark grey eye be.
bkened a keen, live intellect, and her CONVEX
saton much cultivation and good taste.
Arriving at the mansion adjoining the
school buildings was soon ushcrcd into the
presence Of Mr. and Mrs Bernard Julias uncle
and aunt and received lordly, true, southern
hospitality. learned that, although OF Irish
and French extraction, their parents orr
grandparents having been French Hugucnots
they had been 50 long in the South that
they had become thoroughly souhernized.
Mrs Bernard soon set before us light lunch,
accompanied with cake aud VINE. Although
pressed by Mr.. Bernard, partook sparingly
OF the wine, though it was of most excellent
quality. Julia noticed this and did not press
me to drink.
After lunch expressed desire to see more
OF the place. Mr.. Bernard was engaged for a
few hours, and excused himself to me in this
wise:
Mr. Hunt, will be at leisure tomorrow,
and then we will ride around the premises. If
you will allow, your old friend Miss Ward
viii show you the gardens and the groves this
evening, and play the hostess toward you"
THIS was entirely agreeable to me, and arm
in arm my old friend and | explored the gar
dens, where we io:nd the useful and the beau.
tful richly blended Being the time for roses,
Miss Julia showed me very large variety,
and almost every flower that could be cultva,-
al in his most choice soil and charming eli.
mate
Mr. Ward had ridden over to Bardstown
without he knowledge Of his daughter, and
would not return until SIX or seven O'Clock in
the evening, thus Julia and had several hours
of social, uninterrupted chat, and found my.
self greatly interested in the friend of my cal
" childhood. She seemed to exert herself to
he agreeable, and our conversation never lag
ged for moment.
Seated upon rustic settee in the deep
grand old woods, with natures green, rich car
pet beneath our feet, and a clear Italian sky