The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-16
ap,oKwooDs rnopEMEyr.
by SUSAN HARTLEY.

Marianne and j proposed spending
month or so at her hospitable
mansion.
4 winters trip intothe pine woods
region had inspired us with desire
to visit it when it was green, instead
ofwhite. and as Marianne il some /
what of an inyalid this spring, and
believes in pine hrcezes, we started,
on the last day OF April, forthe same
obscure spot.
We left the east winds and the
sea fogs behind us; we found clear
skies. flesh breezes, arbutus bios
SONS. and NAY parties, which are
still IN vogue in this part of the
country. Not the forlorn, paper
weathered, bare-headed, shivering
affairs which are plentiful in the
suberbs of the larger New England
cities. on the first of the howery
month. but merry tramps after ar
butus flowers, the parties composed
of young. men and maidens, as well
rs children.
Dinner is usually spread in some
vacant lodging camp, or, If 1t be
warm enough, under she trees out
side. while last years leaves fall into
the drinking cups, and great deal
OF fun and jollity prevails.
We encountered many of these
gypsy parties or our way from Ban
cor upward. and each one seemed
merrier ti,an the last.
Dusk was creeping like amist over
the little hamlet, cut like an oval
from the midst Of the forest, when
we reached there. after our long
days ride. 1t was three miles from
the scene of our winters visit, and a
more picturesque location. The
river not long released,from Its pris-
on of ice, was singing the widest OF
spring songs. Pale green birches
only in bud as yet, were shivering
against the dark velvet back ground
OF the pine woods. Frogs were call
ing tragicallv from every direction,
aud as we alighted at Mrs. Savages
door we could smell the odorous
breath of kline. and hear the pleasant
sound of dripping milk into full
pals. The milkmaid, a rosy-cheek
ed. moon-faeed girl, rushed from the
shed near by, pail in hand, while
sIrs. Savage herself stood on the
step to greet Us.
Hurry Phehew she admonished
The lniIimoid; supper'e all ready
nov. and iexpect nothing but that
Shcse ladies IS half starved"
The cheer Of a wood fire somewhat
revived our dropping spilits. The
voices Of frogs and extreme weari-
ness are enough to depress the stout
est souls.
Mrs. Savage, HPhei,e. my darter," "
and my son John" compose the
family Mrs. Savage wears her hair
short. and looks IS determined as
cheerful When not about her house
work. she makes log cabin quilts,
and hooks rugs. Phebe has straw
coiored ringlets, she is 10 years OF
age, she sweeps, washes the dishes,
and, when John is busy, does the
milking. John looks manly but
seems overcome by shyness. He
syears red shirts, is employed in
getting out lumber in the daytime.
and in courting in the evening. All
this we learned before noon the next
day. and we also learned that the
first OF Nay is rather early in the
season in the baekwoods, if there is
no east winds, and the skies are
clear.
Eirly the next morning we took
little tramp into the woods We
founo the picturesque ruins Of an
old camp, SIS crumbling logs beau
ti}ullv draped ia moss. a lovely lit
tie round pond. blinking brightly
under green fringes, plenty of rar-
est arbutus blossoms. and drift OF
gYhite mess wood buds and delicate
serns. Ne heard the low. sweet,
song Of bird that we had never
heard before. but the woods were
wet and the air was so chilly and
damp that we were glad to make
our way home in a short space OF
5ime.
u am interested in Phebe and her
weeping" said Marianne. ".After
all, human nature is more interest
ing than any other kind al this sea-
son OF the year, especially"
4 who love nature much as sinners can,
Love her where she most grandeur shows
in man
quoted. "4frs. Savage said that
the elder was coming tonight, and
am anxious to see him. Isn't there
some connection between this ex-
pected event and Phebe's weeping 20
u imagined that her tears were
evoked by the pathos of the New
York Ledger" said Marianne. Il
saw them dripping profusely over
The first page, while she piled the
siisheloth this morning"
We went home to find the house
as rcdolent of spices as on Thanks
giving day, and Mrs. Savage in a
perfect hustle of cookery. Phebe's
red cheeks were quite blistered with
tears, and she was beating eggs with
an air ofmartyrGom.
"The elder, he's fond OF sweet
meats as a child, and I'm trying
to get up something that he can eat,
though Phebe's actions put me all
ont. and | hardly know what I'm do
ing. Who ever heard of girls
crying the hull enduring time, for
two or three days, coz her beau was
eoming?" said the elder lady.
He amt my beau, no MORN an
other at all, / won't have him for a
beau, asserted the fearful damsel.
wipng her eyes with her apron,
"and ! think you would be ashamed
10 call him that before folks"
Strange that girls never will
know when they're well of. The
elders the gentelest man in the
country, to say nothing of the priv
hege of marrying into the gospel, so
10 speak. An Phebe reckons she's
put-upon the worst kind coz kali
kerlate she she'll marry him. He'll
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