The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-05-21
Selett StOrg.
Under the Apple Blossoms.

Under the Apple Blossoms.
Mabel Vaughn was the daughter Of a
plain, respectable farmer residing in the
State Of Pennsylvania. He was hard
working, honest man, but poor manager,
always in arrears in his payments, aud at
the time now write much in debt, The
old, two.story farmhouse, with its white
walls, rustic porch and green blinds, stood
upon an emiuence, with lawn in front
slopiug down upon the winding public
road. On the left was a garden iaclosed
with waite-washsd paliugs, and an orchard
to the right. The latter sloped back to
meadow land, through which broad stream
flowed. with banks bordered with willow
aud alder; large buttouwood tree shaded
the back yard with its wids-spreading
branches, Wills, in the spring aud summer
time festoons Of wooibine and roses clus-
tered over the rustic porch in front. From
the latter was seen a bread expanse Of
rolling country dotted here and there with
groves Of trees. On the right, by the
roadside, little distance Of. stood two
story frame eountry inn, whose Eaily paiui-
ed sign board swung lazily in the air the
white spires Of the far.of village we're seen
10 the distance The scene was of we'll
cultivated, county landscape, which, 10 its
peaceful solitude. was tempting 10 the
wornoat, fashionable people Of the heated,
dusty cities, aud in summer many thronged
the rural ueighboFhOod
Mabel was the eldest Of nine ohildreu,
aud, al lbe s!ae I iatFodues her. IN her
nineteenth year She vas tall, fair, hand
some, wilh q slight, symmetrical figure,
clear complexion, large. deep blue eyes,
fringsd with long black lashes, well shaped
nose, and mouth tempting a a rosebud,
her waving masses Of golden hair crowned
her well.shaped head ike halo. She was
beautiful, refined, superior creature. en-
tirely out of keeping si,h her rude sur
rounding. The country lads we're quite
in awe Of the beautiful girl, whom they
called eold-hearied and proud. This wss
because they failed to understand her re-
fined, superior nature. She vas not en-
lirely satisfied With her lot, aud was often
oppressed with a strange longing for some-
thing bstter than she bad kaowB. She
was foul Of books, and eagerly grssped
any chance reading matter which came in
/ her way Ii was the calm Of lovely Sab
bath as she sat upon the grass, leaning
against an old apple tree, with book in
her baud; her snowy dress floating around
her ike cloud, whilst large straw ha,
was keeping her calm blue eyes 10 shade.
The trees were laden with blossoms, whilst
the ham &C bees SLED abe air as they we're
laying in their winter supply Of honey.
The air was full Of fragrance, and Mabel,
with half lisiless admiration, viewed the
scene, which was fair enough to kindlc
the eye Of an artist.
Philip Ada;r was the son Of neighbor-
ing farmer. He and Mabel had been
brought mp together, their families being
fast friends. He was a tall, handsome
dark k-complexioned young man Of three
andtwenty summers. His father was a
man Of a different character from Mr..
YaugLn-indusiriou and managing, with
his foe farm out Of debt, and a little as
he said, "laid up for rainy day Philip,
his eldest SON. was the pride CT his parents
aud the admiration Of the neighborhood,
on account Of his noble nature and mental
superiority lie worked hard on the farm,
and all his spare time was devoted to study.
He had loved Mabel passionately from
childhood, and size in return gave him her
undivided heart.
Philips ambition was to 90 TO the city
of P and study for a lawyer and To-
cate there, making his way up to promi-
neuec if possible. He had for sometime
been endeavoring to induce his father to
advance sufficient amount for this
scheme, out of what in future would come
to him out Of the estate Mr.. Adair was
at first reluctant, not knowing how he
could manage without him; but wishing
to do justice to his noble son, aud being
yet in his vigorous prime, with two active
younger boys, he finally consented, saying
to his wife
awe will not oppose the boy, Mary, for
there is the making of great man in him,
and we will never let him reflect upon US
for retarding his progress"
"Don't be proud, father" replied the
fond little mother "If Philip continues
to be as good as he is now, we viii have
sufficient cause to be grateful.
"Well, well, little woman, his father will
expect to see him become great, and con-
tiuue good; the two makes beautiful
combination"
As Mabel sat listlessly contemplating
the scene, Philip Adair approached, un-
noticed, through the meadow, and stood
looking with intense love and admiration