The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-19
MRS. LARRABEE'S MORNING CALL.

III hllaDEL hObNlNU MAIL"
''Stop, driver stop! o, that lovely view
Ellen, do look at those mountains yonder,
with the shadows of the clouds lying upon
them! This is truly heavenly spot could
sit here all day long and look at that view. |
wonder who lives here; it must be some very
rich family for just see those stables over
there, and the queer houses, and then the
lawns and drives 1t must take an army OF
servants and mint of money 10 run place
like this. That is boathouse down there at
the waters edge. OF course the man who
lives here has a yacht-probably small fleet
of them. Dear me! these Hudson River
princes simply roll in wealth. Perhaps this is
the country seat of some celebrated New York
merchant Driver, what is the name of the
gentleman who owns this place."
The ColOred man on the box OF the carriage
reflected moment. 81 amt been long in
these parts" he said at last, apologetically.
He beckoned to a gardener who was clip
ping hedge near, and the man left his work
and came up to the carriage, touching his hat
respectfully to the two ladies seated therein.
The elder OF them, stout, pompous dame
with large diamonds in her ears, said patron
izingly: Good morning. Will you tell me
the name of the gentleman who owns this
country seat?'
''Mr Partridge, ma'am."
"Partrdge!n
eyes, ma ann
''Partridge! George Reed Partrdgel" cried
the 3 out lady in great excitement.
Eyes, ma'am," said the gardner, touching
his hat again respectfully and then resumng
his hedge-clipping.
The stout lady laid a fat, tightly-gloved
hand upon her companions arm: "My dear,
it is the very Mr.. Partridge whom we knew so
well in Rome. You remember his wife and
only son died OF the fever there that winter,
and he was almost heart broken. His wife was
a sweet woman. Coachman, drive up to the
house"
''But, Aunt Eta the young girl began,
in tone of remonstrance.
''My dear, know him we'll He would con-
slider it a slight, an insult, if ! should drive
through his grounds without stopping to say:
How do you dog The idea of this being his
place! thought that he lived in New York;
and suppose he does in winter and comes
here for the summer. He is retired mer-
chant you know, and immensely wealthy
immensely.
The coachman had meanwhile driven his
horses up to the entrance of the house, and,
as he stopped them, man-servant came down
the broad stone steps and stood ready to open
the carriage door. Mr. Partridge was at home,
and the two ladies alighted and followed the
servant into a square hall where single
sheet of plate-glass framed a picture of
the river and the blue hills beyond
The pavement was marble, fine carved stair
case wound up to the floor above, and on
every side were silent witnesses to the truth
of Mrs. Larrabee's assertion that Mr.. Part
ridge was rich man.
"Whom shall say, madam" said the SER
want, as he ushered the two guests into a
small receptiOn-rnom.
1.-TWO old friends" quoth the stout lady,
superbly. Then she put her gold-rimmed eve
glasses on her nose and gaZed about her
critically, rising once to peep through the
doorhangngs into the adjoining room. Her
companion, tall, slim girl with soft brown
hair and eyes, seated herself in low chair by
On ,tn aud enI h,. l,,, IL
her lap YEARLY. She looked pale and tired,
and contrasted in every way with her stout,
rubicund aunt She wore no rustling silk no
sparkling diamonds, and feminine observer
would have ms antly detected that her gloves
were only three-buttoned while her aunt
were eight Almost motionless, she sat look
ing down at the carpet until Mr.. George Reed
Partridge entered. He was a burly white
haired old man, with a smooth-shaven, ma
hogany-colored face and pair of twinking
little eyes.
"Well, Mrs. Larrabee," he said, in big,
outdoor sort of voice, "this is a great sur,
prise | could not imagine who my two old
friends were, and should have concluded that
you were pair of dangerous book-agents if
James had not said that you came in car
rage: But don't know who the other old
friend can be-" He bestowed shrewd glance
upon the girl, who had risen and stood before
him, a faint blush spreading slowly over her
face. "And should not call her so very old, -
he added, with laugh.
at is my niece, Ellen Hustead" said Mrs.
Larrabee. "You remember, she was in Rome
with u.s."
"Ah, yes, of course; recollect now" Mr..
Partridge exclaimed. He shook hands with
the girl heartily. SIT is no wonder that
didn't recognize you, Miss Ellen, for the last
time saw you you were long-legged creat ure
in short frocks."
Mrs Larrabee looked rather shocked but
her niece smiled. "The frocks have been let
down." she said gayly.
$50 | see. | suppose it was necessary.
why, you are quite woman, eighteen years
old, | dare say"
"Nearly nineteen" said she.
you must stop shooting up and take to
spreading out With your height, YOU ought
to weigh hundred and forty pounds"
"She has been studying very hard all win.
ter" said Mrs. Larrabee. "That is why she
looks so pale and thin"
''Studying, ehr' Mr.. Partridge repeated.
''Studied the flesh off your bonesl wish YOU
had said danced it of. l don't like learned
young ladies very much In fact, Pm afraid
of 'emn
A bright look flashed into the girls face
''Ah, you need not be afraid OF me-" she said
in half-trumphant, half-mournful accents
81 am not learned in the least, and | can't be
although have tried very hard "
Mr. Partridge twisted about in his chair ant
looked at her with new interest His ganc,
Travelled deliberately from the crown of he
head to the tip of the boot that showed itsel
beneath her simple gown.
"My niece refers 70 the trying ordeal that
she has just passed through" said Mrs LARA
bee. "She came to Poughkeepsie to ente
Nassar College, but she failed in her eXamina
tions. That is how we happen to be here; WI
are going back to Chicago tomorrow
"Icouldenter the preparatory class, " chmet
in her niece, "but | feel too old for that.
thought | should surely enter Freshman;
studied hard all last winter for It, but | an
dreadfully deficient in mathematics. can
even manage fractions; aud as for algebra
-n She broke OFT eloqueutly and looked II
into Mr.. Partrdges face with smile o
comical despair.
lie burst into a roar of laughter. "NIy dea
child, - said be "what earthly good would
do you if you could manage fractions3 Kce
out Of Vassar College, and gather your rose
whileyou may: that is my adyice.n
"a shall have TO do something 0 earn m
own liying,n said she, in a simple, straight
forward way 'and ! hoped to become
teacher"
The laughing look on Mr.. Partridges fac
was replaced BY a very grave one. lie purse
ny his lips. "Whew!" lie whisLled.