Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-03-24
Lightly Won and Lost.

The last load Of hay had been carried
from the upland: and stored within the barn.
The heaviest task OF summer lad just ended,
and nearly every one on the ''Old Hosland
Farm was rejoicing over the fact. Farmer
Rowland sat back in his easy chair, with ii
{ look Of satisfaction on his honest face The
meadows and the uplands had each yielded
plentiful crop of grass and clover that
year. The skies hsd been fair, the weather
calm and bright; men, women. and chii-
dren had worked throughout the season
with will; and only one or two slight
| thunder showers hsd fallen before the fra
! grant loads were cut, and raked, and tossed.
and dried, and stacked, or stored in the
barn. An English farmer, in the same
frame Of mind, would hsve called for an
extra fagon OF old October ale, and his good
wife, hale and hearty, would probably have
shared the sturdy draught with him Bat
Mr.. Howland only smoked his pipe on the
porch Of the farmhouse, without even d
drop Of cider TO wash IL down withal; and
/ his wife piled her knitting needles in her
own particular easy-chair beside the open
door, ald never dreamed OF -''s;imulanis
Of any kind; save such rs her own content
ed mind and calm, approving conscience
| gave her. at the end OF the unusually heavy
household tasks, which bad been 80 faith
! fully attended 20 during the past four busy
| weeks. Did say that every one on the
old Howland farm was rejoicing. because
'1he laying" had come successfully to an
end?
Nav, there was onc--:he farmers only
daughter, and the heiress of the green do
main-to who each successive swing OF the
laborers' scytkes had been like the Tcasur-
! ed stroke of DOOM There was orc who
had long looked forward, with tears Of sad
ness, 10 that day of all; one, who, now
that ii had really come q, last, was more
unhappy than she cared 20 ssy, CT voIi
have dared 10 show.
Pretty Margery Rowland sa, on the o.ch-
ard wall at the foot Of the ''ten-acre lot,
tying many kno, in the pink strings OF
her straw bonnet, and listening eagerly and
apxiouslv 10 every word ths. fell from the lips
of tall, athletic. handsome, but somewhat
looking young man, who leaned
agsins, one of the apple-irees beside her,
talking in low. even, composed tone,
while his grave blue eyes were studying the
far away landscape, rather than the sweet
face beside him. Alas. its usual light and
ibIoen were Cvsrshad0wed Tow. Poor
Maryery was but sixteen: and with all the
ardor of girls frst love she loved this
v,>ung man, who stood so calmly at her
side .alking of the morrow, which wss TO
separate them, perhaps. forever.
He was poor, and also ambitious; an Or
phan. without resources, without near rel
a,ives aImos. without fricnds, for his proud
self-contained spirit was by no means apt
TO win him favor, except from those who
knew him well. In winter nc taught the
district school; in summer he worked from
place 10 place among farmers, studying
fitting for college as only
New England lad ran do.
He was .eady now to 60. His Tors
upon the Howland farm was done, and the
money received for Ii, would help him
| fer upon his way. Early the next morning
! he was 10 leave the farm. By nish'fali ol
tho next day he would be regularly entered
as q student at Yale.
Margcry listened TO it all
"And when will you come back ! sh'
asked at last, with little sigh.
Z .sBack7" lie glanced down at her wiss
nj face, with look of surprise. "Bac'
hire, Never-tha. know off,
She turned deadly pale. But he wa
looking away toward the distant mountains
and did cot notice is.
.Ny life lies yonder, Margery, beyond
those hills. Once clesr of this little town
know nothing ,ha, will bring me back
She was silent.
.Ab. the relief.r he exclaimed sudden
,v 10 ..tbink that have done forever VIII
this rough. rude labor ;hs; drass MAJ
down TO the Level Of the beasts: In fuiur
shall WIN my bread by the exercise OF m.
0 hrsiu. can hardly wait fog morrow
8 l;oh, 20 dawn, am so eager to be away.
Still >he was silent
He aood los: in a rever'e f~ iew mo
,nents. and then suddenly reused himself.
We'll. must 90 and pack my books an
y napers. 1 suppose. L shall be of riy-
hefore those dark eyes of yours are open
Maraery. So will say sood-hy now
He held ont his hand. She laid hers
!. n and looked him bravely In the face.
.aood-by, Clinton Parke! l wish 20
y n tho success in life that I am sure 70
will deserve.
!. ..Thank YOU. viii try to deserve ti
,,ohast be answered, little puzzled
her words and the look she gave. Gco'
by" wo,
V o.. 70 their past. Full Of his own eco''s'
q "a, thoughts, the young man strobe on y
. yard the house, sad went up to his room
d And Msrgcry. :,
Face downward, by the orchard WALL s.
z knet in her despair. She bad kep. Z
secret. She had saved her rride. -
rssall. And 20 the trial came to her wni'
comes to every woman once IN her III
and which makes or mars that hfe' acc"
,nx to her capacity for bearing en0u''
Im rising above that grisf