The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-11-16


Evidently Toms Spanish black
ewes and tawny mustache had made
an impression on her inexperienced
heart.
Tom had just found n comfortable
seat for Bah and himself on the
shady side Of the coach, where they
could look out or the broad waters
of the Mississippi, which lay stretch
cd out ike a silver ribbon before
their gaze, when Mrs. Perry and her
daughters rustled by in their Aounc-
ed dresses.
They bestowed a distant nod on
Bah, but ignored Tom altogether. ).
aJust see how they are flirting ~
sneered Betty. Il shall take care
that Cousin Joe hears about that
A two-seated spring wagon, behind
team of prancing sorrel, with a
stout farmland at their heads, stood
awaiting the visitors.
The two girls and their mother
Immediately took possession OF the
seats. while Tom and Bah squeezed
themselves in the back part of the
wagon, which was filled with straw.
Its more comfortable down here
on this nice yellow straw than sit
ting on those seats anyway" whis-
pered Bah, consolingly, to her COM
panion: and he smiled back at her
in such way that she blushed till
her cheeks were as red rs the bitter
sweet berries, growing in a tangled
thicket by the roadside.
The sorrels made good time, and
a few hours found them drawn up
in front of the brown old farm
house.
"And this is Cousin Joe's place ?"
cried Viola, cxultantly, as they
walked up the broad, firm gravel
walk to the house.
Auntie, the colored housekeeper,
stood on the wide porch, gaily at
tired in her festive frock of red cali
CO. her sable kinks neatly hidden
from view under span new hand
kerchief, as yellow as a ripe feld
pumpkin.
Good mornin' ,ladies-good morn
in'r' she cried, smiling a hearty
welcome to the visitors, and bobbing
respectful courtesy to each in turn.
''But where's Our ,-ousin joe
Mr.. Ferris, / mean p demanded
Viola.
"Your-which, honey" ?" queried
auntie.
"My cousin-Mr. Ferris-where's
hep"
Him? Why, dar he air" re-
sponded auntie, pointing over Viola s
shoulder. "Ef he bin snake he bit
We, honey, sure"
And auntie's fat sides shook with
enjoyment.
Viola turned around. Tom Briggs
stood behind her.
"Welcome to Pinkdale, Miss Per-
ry," he said politely, but coldly.
Indeed And who are you,
pray ?" demanded Viola sharply, to
rebuke his insolence.
Me? Oh, I'm your cousin, Joe
Ferris, at your servicew y said the
supposed Tom Briggs. Tom sent
me telegram that he could not
leave the city at present, so | con-
cluded to go and escort you myself.
And as | did not wish to buy the
favor of my relatives, determined
to personate Tom, and see if l could
win some friendship for myself
alone"
Here he tried to see Bab's eyes /,
bat she had turned them away in
much confusion.
"De dinners -waitin," announced
auntie.
And as there was nothing else to
be done, they all took seats around
the Widespread table, and matters
were smoothed over for the time.
But after dinner Bah slipped away
by herself to the old apple orchard
on the north hillside.
"What will he think ?" she said
covering her face with both hands.
"He-he must have seen that liked
him, but / never dreamed he was
Cousin Joe"
But swift footsteps had followed
hers. and strong hands drew her
own away from the blushing cheeks.
"You shan't run away from me
again little Bab," he said, drawing
her to him.
And the next mornings train car,
ried Mrs. Perry and her two daugh-
ters back to the city, in spite Of Joe's
polite invitation to stay for the we'd
ding.