The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-08-04


cheer and help her. She found mora
leisure To assist her young brother in his
studies and to read her own dearly lovea
books and magazines.
The winter, with its long, COSY even
ings and its merry sleigh-rides, was over
before they had enjoyed it half ENOUGH
Dolly thought. and the birds were sino-
ing again among the trees that shaded
the house. The old butternut tree he
hind the long row of barns had large
handsome leaves once more
One Sunday afternoon Dolly took a
book and went to sit in the shade of the
old tree, just as she had often done ever
since she was n little girl The booL[
was John Halifax, Gentleman and
somehow, as she read and became more
and more interested IN the character OF
the hero, she was startled to find herself
thinking of George Sterling. The tones
of voice she read of; the kind, searching
eyes; the erect, firm bearing -she knew
them all. They were near her They
had often quietly cheered and strength
ened her.
A slight noise from the stone wall op-
posite made her look up. There were
the very eyes. looking straight into hers.
'Why, George! How came you here?''
''Iye been home, and came back
across the fields. Its only three miles.
| you know, coming across. You looked
/ perfectly happy as L come up. What
are YOU reading?''
John Halifax, answered Dolly.
'sDo you know the book?''
Yes, well; and I'm glad you're read
ing it
.'Why? VIII it help me to make
nicer butter?'
That's lust it. After q person reads
it, he feels that he's got to do his best in
whatever work he's called to, and help
along people about him 5 wells as he
cam
That's fine praise" said Dolly
'Haye you been to the post-of1ice? Isee
you have a letter.
This came yesterday. I've been
wanting to show it to YOU, and George
] took the letter from its envelope aud
handed it to her, at the same time sitting
down on the rock by her side.
The letter was as follows:
MY DEAR GEouGE SrERLTNG: sour firm
will probably bus more butter THAI usual next
fall and we want TO secure rs many fine lots as
Il possible. Can YOU send us another twelve
hundred pounds as good rs that was which
! YOU sent us llSt NFaf4 " il llOiA4Aot W lsif
the highest price in the market for the next
ten wears, if you.H send us butter like that.
Please let Us hear from you soon
"Nery truly yours, +. II. FUMES
DO You remember telling your father
that Won meant Dolly Brown butter to
be famous?n asked George, as she
finished reading.
tBut I'm afraid YOU won't stay with
rs ten years" said. Dolly, smiling.
.s4Nnd, five hadn't had you TO take care
of the cattle, milk, and churn so well,
etc, I'm afraid the fame OF our butter
would never have gone abroad.
Ii follows. then, that we ought TO
make butter together, doesn' it?' said
George
u think it does,'' said Dolly, trying
to look unconscious. :. So you'll have
10 stay till the ten years are up, and
She closed her book and half rose, as il
to go.
"Don't 90 Just yet, please" said
George, as he took her hand and drew
her back. with gentle vet firm pressure.
There is something | wish TO tell you.
have thought that my brother would
stay at home, take care of father and
mother, and always keep the old place;
but lately his mind seems bent on study
in medicine, and father thinks he bet
ter 90 where he can have the best teach
ers to work with. You can see what Is
left for me to do. L must 80 home. Bat
that isn't all. Dolly. Dear old mother
wants a daughter. She wants a Ger
tain sweet young girl, named Dolly
Brown. | want her, TOO, Uery much.
Dolly, front You comes"
She looked mp slowly, with tears in her
eyes. Twill you be good TO me2 Good,
like John Halifax pr
I'm try" said George. solemnly
.'And you? VIII you be like Ursula9'
Il too. viii Try, she answered.
"And wen make butter together
said George, as he kissed her, smiling
through her tears.
Dolly would never have left her fathe
and young brother to the care of stran
gers, and George used to say that Aun
Elizabeth had been sent rs a specia
providence. so that Dolly might come t
him.
Aunt Sally svalue is still, on the whole
E an unknown quantity. And yet wh'
knows but the angels may some day
solve the problem and obtain large
answer than any Of Us think. She IS sale
to be really gentle and loving TO Dolly
little daughter.-N Y. Ildepe1aeRt.
/ Z