West-Jersey pioneer., 1882-07-20
THAT GIRL.

Mrs. Sabra CASTOR sat knitting in her
parlor. Itwas not a modern parlor, with
draped doors, ecru window-curtains, en-
broidered screens and quaint china, but
an old fashioned parlor, with cumbrous
mahogany and hair-cloth furniture; an
open fire place, with brass andirons and
cross stick, and window-shades of stiff
green paper.
But Mrs. CASTOR would have been
amazed if you had told her that there
could be anything any handsomer in
parlor furnishing than orthodox hair
cloth. To her it was unquestionably the
correct thing, and she was never more
satisfied than when her capable hands
could find nothing more to do in the way
of housework, and she brought her sew
ing in here and sat down.
She was good woman, who meant to
do her duty and be at peace with all the
world; but to day there was cloud on
her usually serene brow.
Take boarders!' she murmured to
herself, drawing out her seam-needle and
laying it thoughtfully across her lips, as
she swayed back and forth in the low
rocker. 'Inever did, and never thought
I should; but perhaps | ecould like it for
a change. Brother Ben writes that it's
a Mr.. Walcott. who is out OF health, and
his wife, child and daughter. The
daughter is what object to. I sympa-
thize with sick and suffering people, and
have always been called master-hand
at doctoring up ailing folks with herbs
and few little comforting notions of
mine don't object to him. The wife
isn't bit stuck up, Ben says. though
they're well-to-do people; and Im fond
of children. But a young lady, with her
pet notions. making fun of everything
that is old-fashioned and respectable,
and with six tucked skirts and ruffied
fixings in the wash every week, | never
could abide. In fact, if it WASH for that
girl, I'd take 'eln.
Afterawhile, she rose and went through
the house, looking observantly about
her.
II s'pose it would look sort of pleasant
to city folks, after the heat and dust OF
the town." she said. ''If SO, don't sup
pose it's my duty to keep it away from
'em.n
They were mostly low, wide rooms,
exquisitely clean and comfortable, per-
fectly quiet, and looking out upon rich,
green grass, rows of currant bushes and
low-boughed apple trees.
A fat cat and two white kittens filled
the seat of chintz-covered rocking
chair; curly, brown dog lay on the
wide, blue door-stone, winking sleepily
at the flies; a canary hung in the porch;
but, though there was mans straw
hat in big armchair in the door-yard,
Mrs. CASTOR was alone in the pleasant
old farm house.
'.I'll let Forest decide, she said at last.
Pretty soon. a cherry whistle sprang
up among the apple trees, and young
man, in his shirt sleeves with a rake
over his shoulder, came up idly between
the rows of currant bushes.
Hays all made and in, mother. To-
morrow I'll take hold of that transplant
ing"
He had handsome brown face, pair
of frank blue eyes, q pleasant, CHEEKY
voice. and you could safely have sworn
that he was his widowed mothers idol
Forest, you tell me what to do. Shall
take those city folks to board, or not?'
| Mrs. CASTOR spoke with emphasis.
Forest laughed, showing a set of white
teeth and an engaging diinple in one
bronzed cheek.
do just as you're a mind to, mother,
proceeding to cool his heated head BY
drenching his curly hair with glitterine
cold water, from the well at the door.
It dripped in showers upon the greer
grass. :. ~.
II think would if it wasn't for tha'
girl, Forest. Girls are SO full OF airs
city girls, mean"
Perhaps she won't be very bad. JUS
bring me towel, won't you, mother7
Il think I'll take 'em, !" she said, afte.
q moment, coming back with the tower
ssSomehow it seems as if I'd better
well, be sure you get good help
They'll make lots Of work remarked
Forest, as he walked off.
AS appeared, he was really Indifferent
| IN tha matter All the Spring he hat