Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-03-30
lFrom the Californian
PENELOPE'S STORY.
BY MARY n. FIELD.

| was young girl, she said, when my
parents, who lived in Frederick, Mary
land, received visit from cousin,
Madame Fairfield, who lived over the
mountains in Virginia on an estate near
ly hundred miles away She was a
stately lady of the 0nciea, regime, and
travelled In her family coach, with her
black coachman in livery on high seat
In front. An air of immense respecta-
biity lowered about the entire establish
ment, from the housekeeping horses in
their silver mounted harness to the sub.
stantial leather trunks and portman-
teaus IN the boot behind. We lived In
simpler fashion at our house than our
cousin was accustomed to in her own
domains, but my mother was a lady
born, and my father chivalrous gentle
man, so all deficiencies which Madame
Fairfield might discover were amply
compensated by the fine flower of courte-
sy. She had delightful visit of several
weeks, receiving much attention socially,
and greatly enjoying all the Inequalities
extended to her. Nor did she fail to ap-
prove and avail herself of that which is
ever dear to the heart of woman-the
shopping privileges of Frederick. Among
other things, she added largely to her
stock of silver plate, which was duly
packed and securely nailed up in box
by itself.
And now Madam Fairfield began to
urge that be allowed toreturn with her
for winters visit to her home in Cres-
sonburg. / need not say that I Joined in
the entreaty, for, although I loved home
dearly, like other nestlings, / was eager
to try my wings; and my dear parents,
with may doubts and misgivings, at last
consented to the arrangement. It was
Just the old experience over again:
HThe young heart hot and restless,
The old subdued and SLOW"
At length the day for our departure
came, and all tears and smiles, [ found
myself esconsed in the soft, cream-col-
ored cushions and Innings Of the Fair
field carriage There were now four in
the company, for an older and much
more elegant young lady cousin was also
to be visitor at Cressonburg. and nv
dear boy cousin, Oliver Fairfield, who
had been at school near Frederick, was
returning home for a vacation. So we
made nice coachful, Madam Fairfield
Miss Cecilia On the back seat, Oliver and
[ facing them. How beautiful the world
looked to me that delightful summer
morning! The brisk, inspiring motion,
divers OVERLOOKING spirits, even the
delicate odors which escaped from Miss
Cecilia's reticule. are all all stamped and
lnetfaceable on my memory. We passed
through what [ shall always think the
most beautiful country In the world
across noble rivers and picturesque hills,
following the old stage road from Fred
erick over spur OF the Alleghanies to
onr Virginia destination Part of the
road over the summit was through an
almost unbroken forest of pines. and
that is where we had our adventure.
We stopped, just before beginning the
ascent, at q little way-side inn for an
hour for rest and refreshments, and no.
ticed man lounging on the piazza. who
made some inquiries of our black driver.
Pompey, as to where we were going, and
volunteered some advice about shorter
route which we might make at certain
crossing.
Ct am goingthe same way" he added
with good-natured air of comradeship.
But our stately old Pompey knew bet.
ter than to trust much to an unhedged
acquaintance, and so paid little attention
to his remarks or suggestions.
Soon we were on our way again, an6
as L glanced down the winding ascent
which we We're just beginning, saw thai
we were followed by our new acquaint
ance, who kept near us with compare
lively little effort. By and by the fores
darkened about us, and we were stopped
to let our horses breathe, he overtool
us, nodded pleasantly and passed on
Soon we again caught up with him. anC
now he quickened his pace, land hi
trudged along besides us again and be
gan talking of the more direct route. A,
he talked he laid his hand Familiarity or
the open window of the coach, and no
ticed long, red scar across its back. A
shudder went over me involuntarily as
thought what a terrible blow it must