Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-07-25
are. And, oh, ii will be such fun, and
| should like to see what Wisconsin is
like. l suppose they have bears there
and giraffes, and all such wild beasts

hke. l suppose tney nave oeatS 'he'e'
and giraffes, and all such wild beasts
And ran laughing away after the
kitten which had frisked out among the
daffodils in the garden. Not, however, so
far but that could hear my mother say
ing: "what child she is !" And ORR
ana answered with laugh:
"Oh, let her go. If Cousin Patsey
should take a fancy to her, it might be
the making of her fortune. Who
knows!"
So they bought me a new dress, re-
trimmed my plush hat with cherry satin
ribbon, and sent me of TO Wisconsin
with Oriana's new travelling bag and man.
mas waterproof cloak. u.l
/ had never travelled before by myself,
but quit enjoyed the novelty Of the sit
uation. had my novel to read, my lit
tie basket of fruit and sandwiches to fall
back upon, and all the fitting scenery to
study from the car window-and until
getting out at Eardsdale, to buy some or
anges which had taken my girlish fancy,
| I mistook the car, and found myself alone
and bewildered, in the midst Of strange
faces.
my bag" cried. "Oh, | left my
bag right here on the seat, and now it is
gone. And my check was in it, and my
ticket. Oh, dear oh, dear what shall
| do"
And then a tall, pleasant faced young
man came forward. l had seen him
once or twice before, passing through the
train.
"Was it q black canvas bag" said he,
with %. H. on it: And was there
book and a shawl lying beside it :"
And | answered, brea,hlessly:
"Yes."
at is in the back cal" said he. "You
were sitting there, think. Allow me
to conduct you thither. The train IS In
motion, and it will be difficult to pass
from one car to another"
And thus to my infinite relief, found
my treasures undisturbed and, all for
getful Of mamma's many cautions, chat
ted and laughed with my new acquaint.
ance all the way to Powder city.
confded to him that | was going to
a rich cousin. who would probably adopt
me that | had never been away from
home before-that my name was Flora
Harper-that / had twenty dollars in
gold in nv pocket book. and new check
ed silk dress. with fourteen little houn-
ces up the front.
Not until he had put me in cab at
Powder City station, and directed the drir-
er TO 90 TO Miss Patsey Pounsett's on the
Cedar road, did | realize how foolishly
and unnecessarily communicative had
been.
..Oh, dear!" I thought to myself, 81
hope he's not burglar or house-brcak-
er."
Ny cousin Patsey did no, live i'll a cha.
teau or picturesque Swiss cottage. 1t
was a tumble down old farm house, with
a stagnant pond in front and two dismal
weeping willows at the back.
She lay very i'll in dirty old parlor'
with a fire of damp logs sulking in the
fireplace, and general smell Of camphor
about the premises.
She was an ugly yellow-faced old wo-
man with hooked nose and moustache
on her wrinkled upper lip.
OH" said she, "You are Mary Har-
per's ,usl from down east :"
Yes" said family, as I looked
around It the uncarpeted floor and mil
dewed v. Ills. "What can do for you,
Cousin Patsey:'
"You can take the bellows and blow
up the fire." said tie old crone. "And
YOU can make me some oatmeal grael'
and tomorrow you go out aud sell YARDS
for me"
"Sell-" hesitated, uncertain ,>'heth-
er had heard Alright.
"Yarbs - screeched the old woman
"Ya-a- arbs Don't you hear me Cat
nip and penny-rile, and tarrapan, and
life-everlastin' and sich-the garret's full
of 'em. That's the way / makes my
living, selling YARDS. And was mortal
feared I'd lose all my custom with this
pesky rheumatism. But it's all right
now you've come" lr.
So this was my Cousin Patsey! This
was the life Of rich refinement to which !
had believed myself dedicated. ] cried
myself to sleep that night, and dreamed
I was beggar girl plodding from door
to door. q. -. f-e .,-. -.,t
l was up betimes in the morning to
cook Aunt Patsey's breakfast over the
kitchen stove-I, the petted darling of