The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-12-28
BELLA.

A hot August day; q dusty country
road, or rather lane, on the fringe of
Dartmoor, far away from all towns or
any signs of civilization, save an occa-
sional alehouse. The lane is narrow, as
all lanes thereabouts are, the banks
high, and the hedges that grow along
their ridges higher still, overhanging
till they meet in the centre, and so form
a perfect bower of shade, grateful
enough to the solitary pedestrian who
trudged steadily onwards, despite the
heat of the day-a handsome young
man, with perspiring brow, toiling up
a parched roadside, laden with an ar
fists sketching paraphernalia.
"Whewn' he exclaimed, pausing a
moment to shift his easel to the other
shoulder, and lift his straw hat an in
stant from his moist curls, ''this is get
ting monotonous."
Maurice Dering was good traveller,
and was not deferred by the. heat, dust
or distance, but for more than mile
the close branches had twinkled unbro-
Il dwelling or glimpse of landscape to
be seen.
He covered his blonde curls and re-
sumed his walk. He intended to put
up for the night at the next house.
He reached it at last-a low, broad
farmhouse, with cattle lowing in the
yard, and sour-visaged woman gath
erng up milk-pans from bench by the
door.
Good evening, madam! Can l get
put up here for the night?" asked Maui
rice, coming rather gladly to a stand
still under the doorway, and relieving
himself of his burdens.
The woman gave him a sharp glance,
which however seemed to be salts
factory.
This amt public" she answered,
'but I've got room l don't mind let
ting. Come and look at it" and went
within doors.
The artist followed.
Mrs. Trevethick, however. instantly
disappeared beyond his sight, and hu
found himself in low, long room,
with an open fireplace filed with ever
green bushes, and a swarm of flies de-
Vouring a sickly baby. asleep on
chintz-covered- sofa. The whole house
was filled with the odor of boiled bacon
and greens, and was quite breathless.
The young man retreated again into
the open air, and sat down on the bench
where the milkpans had been, tanning
himself with his straw hat.
The interminable hedges had come to
an end here, and a vista of low-lying
emerald meadows and silvery, curving
river opened against the sunset sky.
The heat was tempered by the gath
ering dampness. bringing a sense of
refreshment and rest. which was speed
lily banished by sounds FROM within.
First came the bump and jingle of
tray of dishes set upon the table, then
an excited female voice.
bella! Bella! l say! lift that sauce
pan off the fire; then come an take this
young one off my skirts AN lay the ta-
BILE. There's gentleman here to sup
per-a painter chap leastways. There!
Keep out from under my feet, thenr'
A bump, the scream of child, the
wailing of two children.
Harmony, sweet harmonyn' hum
med Maurice, rising and walking down
the lane.
The open air was sweet; the sunset
sky magnificent gold. At the end of
the lane was a spring, running into a
rocky basin, pretty as poem. He for
got Mrs. Trevethick, and strolled and
mused, watching the lights and shad-
ows, and breathing the perfume of
white clover and sweet-brier, until a
shrek of '.Sup-p-err' from the open
doorway recalled him TO the house.
"Supper's all ready, young man. sa-
luted Mrs. Trevethick from the dusky
interior. "Wash yourself. There's
plenty of water in the kitchen sink.
Bella, you show him. Amt got any
brush. You can shake your coat out to
the door,"
Maurice's smile of amusement as he
followed these suggestions was sudden
ly arrested by the sight of a young
face, so deadly pale and sad that in an
instant he forgot everything else.
Here is water" said the girl called
Bella. She had baby in her arms,
another by the hand. The towel is
clean," she added timidly.
She had a sweet and gentle voice.
Thank you! Never mind me. I'll
do very well now," replied Maurice,
plupging into swimming basin of ice
cold water
But he watched Bella, as she sat wea-
rily down upon a stool, and placing
both babies in an antiquated cradle, be-
gan to rock them, softly singing. The
elder rubbed his fists in his eyes and
squalled Justify; but she persvered pa
tiently, until both were asleep. Then
she rose and waited on the table.
There was Il large family of rough
men, redolent of the Darn-yard, who
energetically devoured the meal, with
their elbows at right-angles, plying fork
and knife alternately, on trips to and
fro between plate and mouth, giving
either no rest until the last brimming
saucer of hot tea had been emptied, and
the repeted eater rose and lounged ou5
! at the door.
Maurice thanked his stars that he
was blessed with the digestion of an os-
trich, as he rose from the table of greasy
bacon, greens, and potatoes, and hot
saffron bread.
He, too, went out for a breath OF
! fresh air, but could hear Mrs. Treve-
thick scolding Bella.
Don't want no supper? Umph!
that's all fancy. Sit right down here
an go to eatin'! II you don't eat you
can't work, an the works got to be
DONE No appetite? Well, eatin' II
make an appetite. Come, be quick
There's the dishes to wash, clothes to
| be folded, bread to set, hash to chop,
fowls to get in, an a bed made up in
the spare chamber"
Maurice spent the evening under the
stars, responsive to his hosts civil eff
forts to entertain him, and listening
with inward amusement to the unso-