Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-10-12

IL was, indeed, a happy time FOR the lit
tie girl to look forward to. They would
90 to Bridgeway some time in, April,
and perhaps femain through the .nsrrie
month Of May e -
But, before the time came for this
visit, Rachel had a birthday. and her
mother spun for her = red petticoat of
soft, warm wool. and. to make it still
prettier. looped over it dainty little
skirt of figured muslin. This frock,
when finished. was quite becoming to
Raehers graceful little ngure and she
looked like yeritable Dame Trump
'Handsomeis is as handsome does, quo
ted her mother, as Rachel stood on tip
toe before the long mirror. If you are
pleasant and kind, every one will be
pleased with you % =
And now there were only few days
to wait. A dolls trunk had been pack
ed and repacked over and over many
times. Rachel's omnftittle box was
nearly ready. The little red spettieoat
and frock were to be laid carefully on
top, the very last thing Aunt Polly
and Mrs. Brightleok were finishing the
spinning and setting thingstO rights,
that the house might be left in perfect
| order. A glance into her grand old
kitchen would at once reveal the fact
that Mrs Brightlook was model lrouse-
keeper. @s s..--....,......,--f
At last the lOng-looked for day arriv-
ed, the old coach ratified To the door; the
trunks were strapped on the rack, and
Rachel and her mother were fairly of
on their journey. The day was lovely,
and we might tell of the long but de
llightful ride; we might follow this hap
py child, and watch the little face glow
ing with excitement as the coach and
four few over the ground, now passing
through ravine, with great hills stand
ing on either side and looking as il theil
tops reached up to the very skies, now
tcrossing q pretty. river in the midst Of
llovely woods, where the tender green
leaves on the trees gave proof that the
Spring had really opened.
But We cannot recount oil the pleas
ures of her trip, so will relate only one
little adventure wihch'befe Rachel du-
ring her stay at the Gotta Farm. Per
hans it is only what at last came of il
that gives this an interest.
On Sundays only the little red froel
icame out of the press. ana, on promis,
u of good behayior-which meant sitting
still in the house after church and learn
ing some of the Commandments or ;
tpart of the Catechism-she was allowed
to wear it all day.
The morning service was long, ant
Idirectly after it came the heSuhday.scliOol
but in the afternoon it was the :custon
at The Cottas to settle into sort of Sun
ing but she nodded great deal owe
her book; and Mr.. Gotta would shu
himself away from the world behind ;
great newspaper; while the other mem
bers of the family betoOk themselves Il
, their several rooms ard occupied them
selves in like meditations.
1t was on one of these quiet after
Moons, when, the stiffness growing rath
er oppressive in the house, Rache
thought she would just takea littl
stroll all by herself, and see if the hen
, and chickens were keeping Sunday, toe
So she stepped softly down the lawI
and walked slowly through the barn
lyard. -
4 Now, seated quietly on the fence swer
! flock of dignitied young turkeys. Ma
dame DindOn, the great-grandmother o
the brood, sat solemnly in their midst
but, when she saw funny little re,
figure, with great straw bonnet OR it!
head, coming toward her, began to ruf
fie up her feathers, saying to herself, a
she hoped down from the fence: :
wonder who this is. intruding on on
premises with such fiery red gown
on Sunday, too. And, as Rachel drew
nearer, Mother Dindon began to grow
lquite angry.
'Oht dear, thought Rachel. Il wish
had gone the other way But it wa.
too late. Mother Dindon came on fastel
land faster toward the now thorough,
frightened little girl. In her terror and
bewilderment, she turned and rar
through the wrong gate. On she flew
her little toes hardly touching the
ground, Madame Dindon followed close
behind, her ire now fully roused. On
on over the meadow they went and II
was close race. The old turkey was
almost as large as Rachel herself, and
if she had been younger, instead of a
i1xther rheumatic old fowl, the little red
1gown mightshave suffered, to say moth
ing of Rachels face and eyes.
| Across the pasture Rachel saw Jacob
Gotta, geing for the cows.
| 'Ja-Ja-Jacobr she shrieked; but
4 oh q s,,nof Enf hroafh all l~1v
voice was too weak to reach. him. :.
But presently he turned his head, and
exclaimed: What under the sunI l de-
clarel If it isn't that little red gown
shat. went to church, Twithsus this morn
ing, running q race with the great turr-
key 'ei- ! IAhU A-i~t1
Hill hill therep called Jacob, running
across the meadow to her rescue; and,
catching Rachel in his, arms, he, Lifted
her high out of the reach. of Mother
Dindon.
We'll, she almost caught you, after
all, he said! But don't cry, don't cry for
the ckild was, now sobbiIlgS with fright.
She is cross old thing and I gness she
didn't like, your gown oyermuch.'
oh! dear sobbed Rachel. I was SO
frighted. s'pose it's causesI ougbtn't
to have gone out Sunday i4.t
Jacob carried her in his. strong arms
to the house. and the old turkey walked
back. crestfallen, TO the barnyarI. -;
Rachel was not scold9d for her after
noon walk; but she did not. visit the
turkeys again with her littlesred petit
coat
We nave not space to tea of the hap
py-times that fsacbel enjoyed; not only
during this visit, but many others. For
long after this part of each year was
spent at Bridgeway, and they were some
of the happiest days Of her life. There
vas always plenty to do ifand. plenty of