Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-08-31
PLEASURES OF THE COUNTRY.
The Man with the Watermelon, the
Peaches and a Wife.

He came painting into the car, a tra-
mendons watermelon poised upon his
right shoulder, and held with the great
est difficulty in position with one hand,
while with the other he dragged BUSH
ell box of peaches. Quickly throwing
his load into seat, not even pausing
to wipe his feyered brow, down which
p0ufBd rne nefssrspiratfos>- -i.-n3u IyI-'
agara he ran to the car door. shouting to
a mild, inOffensive young man and mod
est maiden dressed in gray, who sat in
the seat just behind the melon:
"Hi, there, mister. don't let any one
take that seat in front of you. I've got
to 60 and get my wife,"
The door slammed and he was gone.
In moment, just as the whistle blew.
and the first jerk preparatory to start
ing had made the passengers all sudden
ly sit back with violent thump, he re-
appeared, bearing in one hand an snor-
nous market basket filled with vegeta-
cles, while a roll of butter and couple
of dozen of eggs were visible on top.
With the other hand he pulled along a
pale faced woman who was evidently
his wife. and who was bending be-
meath the weight of innumerable bum
dies. He placed the peach box on
top of the stove, laid the melon away in
the coal box, barricaded the way to the
water cooler with dry goods, and block
ed the aisle with the basket. Then TAX
ing the seat by the window, he told his
wife to sit down, and slowly wiping his
face with his handkerchief, he appeared
perfectly happy. By and by. after de-
liberately surveying the occupants of the
car, he turned his gaze free on the young
couple who were sitting behind him, and
remarked:
"Warm, eh?"
"Yes, quite warm"
"She your wife?" with jerk of the
thumb in the direction Of the modest
young lady.
Yes"
"When were you marriedp"
"This MOI ming.
"And you are just starting on your
bridal tour? Allow me to congratulate
you. You are happy, Mister, happy
man. Going to housekeeping when you
come back? Got house yet?
"Nor' in freezing tones.
"No? Then Mister, you are a happy
man. Free to build your nest where
you like. The country is the place;
there, amid flowers and trees, by the
messy side of some purling stream, over
which the birds sing and the bees hum,
and the soft zephyrs blow. laden with
the summers sweetness, there to rear
thy humble cot, and in the invigorating,
life-giving air to see thy children
grow fat and rosy. What happiness
can be compared to such life? With
natures fruits fresh every day for the
table. Think of it. Ones table supplied
with the product of ones own garden,
that he has titled with his own hand.
And 30 reasonable. Never such chance
before. Terms of lots, S25 down, and
the balance in Fifteen yearly installments.
Can you, | ask in all fairness. imagine a
life more delightful? At the close of
day to escape tram the hustle and heat
of the city to the rural quiet and cool
ness of the country. Look at me. and
am not the picture of vigorous health ~
The blushing bridegroom admitted
that, to the best of his knowledge, he
was.
Look at my wife, what more rosy,
healthy, happy image Of womanhoOd
could you imaginep" T." /
The young man, who was just start
ing on his wedding trip, looked st the
pale, Overworked woman in the front
seat, but said nothing.
"Yes, sir, the perfect image Of health.
How could she help it, living rs We do
far away from the noise of the busy
world. Our house is mile and half
away from the station, so the rattle of
the trains never disturb us. We are
happy, transendently happy.
as the road to your house muddy in
winter ond dusty in summer" ?" inquired
the young man.
at is, sir, very, but in the irresistible
march of progress that road will be Inn
proved. In twenty years, say, we will
have nice broad side walk and the
road macadamized; there will be neigh
bors in plenty then
"Boom-m shouted the
brakeman.
Here we are, wife," said the country