Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-01-13
Under the Apple Blossoms.
BY MISS AMELIA rHRorp.

BY MISS AMELIA THRoPP,
Mabel Vaughn was the daughter az n
plain, respectable farmer residing in the
State of Pennsylvania. He was hard
working, honest man, but a poor man
ager, always in arrears in his payments.
and Mt the time / now write much in debt
The old, two-stOry farmhouse, with its
white walls, rustic porch and green
blinds, stood upon an eminence, with a
lawn i'll front slopiug down upon the
winding public road. On the left was a
garden lnclosed with white-washed pal
Ings, and an orchard to the right. The
latter sloped back to meadow lands.
through which n broad stream flowed.
With banks bordered with willow and
alder; large buttonwood tree shaded
the back yard with its wide spreading
branches, whilst in the spring and sum
mer time festoons of woodbine and roses
clustered over the rustic porch in front.
From the latter was seen n broad ex-
pause of rolling country dotted here and
there with groves of trees. On the right.
by the roadside, a little distance off,
stood a two-story frame country inn.
whose gaily painted sign-board swung
lazily in the air; the white spires of the
far-off village were seen in the distance.
The scene was of well-cultivated. conn
try landscape, which, in its peaceful soli-
tude, was tempting to the wornout. fash
iOnahle people Of the heated, dusty cities.
and in summer many thronged the rural
neighborhood.
Mabel was the eldest of nine children,
and, at the time / introduce her in her
nineteenth year. She was tall, fair,
handsome, with slight, symmetrical
figure, clear complexion, large, deep blue
eyes, fringed with long black lashes,
welI-sbaped nose, and mouth tempting
as a rosebud; her waving masses ofgolden
hair crowned her well-shaped head like a
halo. She was beautiful, refined.
superior creature, entirely out Of keeping
with her rude surrounding. The country
lads were quite In awe Of the beautiful
girl, whom they called cold hearted and
proud. This was because they failed t.
understand her refined, superior natnre.
She was not entirely satisfied with iel
lot. and was often oppressed with q
strange longing for something better
than she had known. She was fond 81
books. and eagerly grasped any chance
reading matter which came in her way
1t was the calm of lovely Sabbath as
she sat upon the grass, leaning against
an old apple tree, with book in her
hand; her snowy dress floating around
her like a cloud, whilst large straw hat
was keeping her calm blue eyes III
shade. The trees were laden with bios.
SONS, whilst the hum of bees filed the
air as they were laying in their winter
supply of honey. The air was full of
fragrance. and Mabel, with a half list
less admiration, viewed the scene, which
was fair. enough to kindle the eye Of an
artist.
Philip Adair was the son of neigh
boring farmer He and Mabel had been
brought up together, their families being
fast friends. He was n tall, handsome,
ark-complexioned young man Of three
and-twenty summers. His father was a
man of a different character from NJ.
Vauphn-industriou and managing,
with his fine farm ont of debt, and ga
little" MS he said, ''laid up for II rainy
day." Philip, his eldest son, was the
bride al his parents and the admiration
of the neighborhood, ON account of his
ueighborhood He was widower Of
about fortv-fve. For the last three
years lie had been travelling abroad. On
| his return, before settling down to city
| life, lie had concluded to rusticate in this
1 quiet neighhorhood for rest for himself
! and a good time for his two little sons
I tie was well educated, superior man,
/ of large means aud prominent position.
| His elegant appearance and naughty
I manners won Cor him the awe and ndmi-
ration of the people of the place. and the
| farmers daughters were anxious by
their charms to induce him to marry and
I locate in the neighbOrhood. Mabel had
! heard much of Mr. Claire but had not
! felt the least interest Ia him. One even
! ing as she was returning from the vii
iage. whittier she had been making few
purchases, she met an elegant looking
| gentleman leading by the hand a little
boy. From the description she had
heard. she at once recognized him as
! Mr. Claire. She felt embarrassed by the
gaze of evident admiration he fixed npon
her face. The next evening she heard .
/ knock on the front hall door. and on
opening it found. TO her Acknowledgement,
! The gentleman there. He bowed low TO
her. introducing himself as Mr. Claire,
apolooizine for the call. saving in yindi-
cation that, che had been informed
that Mr.. Vaughn had an idea of selling
MS place. and took the liberty to call and
see if there was any truth in the report,
as he was so much pleased with this
part OF the country that he had conclu-
ded to purchase farm where he and the
bows might ruralize for the summers.
Mabel flushed deeply at the remarks
Of the stranger, and informed him that
| "sbe was very sorry to be forced TO
acknowledge that the reports were cor
rect"
The truth was, Mr. Vaughn, Who was
| always in pecuniary embarTas sments.
had lately lost heavily, and as Mr.. Adalr
who was his friend in needl at last had
become out of patience with MN, as
would either be forced to sell now, OF
the property would he sold for hun, as
there was no way of raising the large
,mount due. Mr. and Mrs. vaughn
we're absent, trying to persuade MI
4dair to assist them ont Of their diiii-
,nlties but this time he was memorable.
Mr. Claire was delighted at the OPP
oortnnitv Of awaiting their return.
"You would regret, Miss Vaughn, ne
aid ITO leave the old place?
Eyes. sir; it is our home. We schlldfTe.;l
.avs all been bora here and we have the
most mos pleasant and tender associations :
. alS,,, with the dear old place. !
hall be very unhappy il we are forced
10 leave it. {"
ssYou may not be forced togo. OFTEN
-, we are on the verge Of some pam
XII misfortune. a kind Providence inter
,o ~ and we are extricated from our
painfal position. ltd
ssrhose are romantic events, repiisa
Mill 1--WE read Of them IN novels,
~ 80 ,lev seldom occur in real life.
..Reality. Miss Vaughn, is stranger
man fiction, and allow me to predict
mat something VIII occur 70 psessA''
3 tttr+N Ala s4laNa "