The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-10

lCo, 1Ouuu IL was 81, bho -
until he agreed to stop over ana run up
for the day.
We reached that town, quiet pretty
little place, at about ten, ana obtaining
horse and full directions as to where
she lived, we sailed forth. The drive
was beautiful one, mainly through
the woods, which were just leaning OUT
and the air was sweet with the bios
SONS of clover and wild flowers. 1t was
an unfrequented road. the houses being
few and far apart, and we met but one
team. Though beautiful then, yet
wondered if Beth never wearled in WIN
ter of the cold lonesome drive, under
the leafess branches. What change
from the gay, noisy, city life. Dear
girl, she had not written to me for over
year, but l knew from her mother
that she now had an extra care in the
form of big strong boy. Would she
not be surprised at this visit, and how l
should enjoy seeing her and talking
over old times. Then there was the
house, we had so often talked about, to
see, and that baby. How l would hug
him! Then her husband-had he proved
all her fond heart had pictured him as
being, and was she in her new house as
perfectly happy as l?
At last we neared the place, which,
according to all directions, must be the
Rose Farm. Yes, there was the hous4S
large old-fashioned frame. | knew it,
from the big porch across the front,
supported by the immense white pillars
so often described to me by my friend.
But what disappointment! That
house brown for want of paint, one or
two of the blinds gone, and others just
hanging, its fine old yard overgrown
with weeds and grasses, was not the
Eden 1 had pictured as Beth's. As we
drove up the lane, shaded on either
side by fine old elms, Joe called my at
tention to the fence, which in some
places was leaning nearly to the ground,
with more than one picket missing.
81 don't like the look of that" he
said. 81 am afraid it too much resem-
bles the man who lives here. A house
and its surroundings tell more of the
occupants character than is at first re-
| allied"
As the horse stopped could hear a
woman's voice humming lullaby, and
so, springing from the carriage, | ran
lightly up the steps and peeped in at
the open door.
Shall | ever forget that scene? The
large old fashioned room, with its low,
dark ceiling, high windows, and gaudy
papering, can see yet, and how out OF
place Evangeline and the other choice
engravings looked upon its walls, and
the sharp contrast between the dingy
rag carpet and Beth's exquisitely carved
piano. There, by the window, sat a
woman lulling the baby to sleep.
Was it possiblep Could that thin,
careworn woman, arrayed in a faded
calico, minus collar and cuffs, with hair
combed back and twisted into an ugly
tight knot on the back of the head, be
the beautiful girl l had seen for the last
time only two years ago? Yes, it was
Beth, but so thin and changed! The
hands. once white and soft, were now
brown and stained, telling the story OF
hard work and ceaseless care. better
than words. l stood spellbound for d
moment, dismayed at the change before
me, and then, as heard my husbands
feet on the walk, stepped into the room.
Beth glanced up, dropped her baby into
its crib, and with one wild cry sprang
into my arms, sobbing as if her heart
would break.
motioned Joe back, and after she
had become quiet tended baby while
she went to change her clothes.
He was dear little fellow, combining
Beth's hair and complexion with the
dark velvety eyes which had so won
her heart when girl
Joe and were having a big frolic
with baby, when its mother once more
made her appearance, looking more
like the Beth of olden times. But al
though she was pleasant, and tried to
appear cheerful and at ease, we could
both see that it was an effort, so, after
lunch, Joe, rightly Judging that we
should visit better alone, strolled of
down to the river, with the ostensible
purpose of hunting geological speci.
mems.
When baby was asleep and full direc.
tions about dinner had been given to
the girl in the kitchen, we strolled down
into the orchard, fragrant with apple.
blooms, and there, under a canopy Of
blossoms, her head in my lap, Beth told
me all her troubles.
Flo" she said, when was mar
ried and came here, the future looked
very bright to me, and my heart wa:
full of love for the man had wed. No,
not for him! what did know of Egbert
Roses character? Nothing except the
bits gathered from his sisters talks,
and from the letters | received, all o.
which were in his praise, of course. And
from these | went to work erecting 8
beautiful idol, possessing all manly vir
tues which l loved, called by his name
and almost worshiped.
"But the awakening from my dream
of happiness came soon, and find my
self united for life to one whom car
neither respect nor love. Do not look
so shocked, Flo, for | know you could
not respect man who spends his en-.
tire time in trading horses, hunting,
fishing and loating, while everything
here is falling to pieces and the farm
running to waste. If it were not for the
hired man and my own exertions, | be-
lieve we should all starve.
"When we first came here he re-
paired the house and did little work
on the farm, but old habits are strong
and he soon got back into them. Many
| a time have | cut the wood with which