The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-03-31

w furniture had stood for a
= Ears-that was something
II! Qos s!san's child to achieve. /
y e efy proud and happy when he
SIC me any Decentralization. 1t
ui ir what vanity I had to see his
81 atlour cottage door, to pass our
ae4 lntances seated beside him, to
De '4Ried out at parties-me. in my
p'a'a dress, with perhaps only rose
at tiiroat and another 10 my hair.n
oN confess you were handsome,
gra1dIla,n = said Lily.
Aas's not for me to say. my dear,
tilQAkh i believe they did call me
rag pretty. One day Ned Hamil.
ton IHvited ms 20 90 with him to Sill
ver HpFay,a beautiful waterfall, six
inilea away. Twas particularly pleas
ed Nth the invitation Just at this
= stae, matters at home were com
ss,ilcatad and the atfnospiere was not
agreeable. Father had been paying
money on mortgage, and that al
ways made him cross-nOt cross ex.
actly, but very, very miserable. The
sight of his sorrowful face and the
sound of his depressed voice caused
us all to feel more or less wretched. "
"That night there was to be party
at the house of Judge Mills. They
only gave one year, on the occa-
sion of Meeny Mhls birthday. Poor
Meeny! A homeEer girl never lived
but the judge was rich, and she wore
all the latest fashions, so perhaps she
meyer realized how very plain she was.
l had been hasty over my only white
dress, taking tuck out here and add
ing bit of lace there, wishing, for a
wonder, that | could have something
new to wear. At the sight of Ned
and the team, however, all my trou-
bles vanished into air, and l ran
down stairs laughing.
"'I do wish't you'd be little sober
Minded said my father in his fretful
way. 1T seems kinder heartIess to
be laughing when there amt a cent
in the house, and nobody knows when
there will be-
"'Why, father. there's always po-
tatoes and meal,' was my merry re-
joinder.
eyes, and there's always cares and
troubles he answered lugubriousIy.
Il don't seem to git ahead like other
folks, and I've pertty much about
given up trying. If you girls was
only boys. now!'
Think what you'd have to lay
out in boots alone,' said, still laugh.
ing, at which he frowned and turned
impatiently away, while ran out to
be helped into the handsome car.
riage.
What glorious day it was! The
vines lining each side of the road all
seemed dripping with sunshine. The
shaded valley, the dancing brooks,
and the highway bordered with ma
pies and elms-and then my escort be-
guiled the hour with odd and merry
fancies, talked about his farm, his
hopes, his aspirations, and if l had
not turned the subject once or twice."
said the pretty old lady, with prim
little gesture, IL think he might have
proposed. But wasn't ready for that
yet. In the quiet of the home going,'
said to myself, 1 will listen to him
perhaps
Sat last we reached the waterfall.
which with its accompanying heights
and charming scenery, repaid us for
the long ride. 1t was hard to tear
ourselves away, and when we did
turn the heads of the spirited horses
in the direction of home it was very
late.
1--WE shall never be in time for
the party,' l said, as the twilight
deepened into dusk. Must you pay
at the toll gate? The old man is half
blind, and it will take him an hour to
hunt up change. Run the toll, lust
for the fun of it-you can pay him
afterward.'
"'That won't do said Ned. 'I'll
have to get bill changed, though,
Just take the reins a second. By the
way | never heard the end of the
sentence. At that moment the spirit
of mischief seized me. l snatched
the whip and touched the near horse
Then l only heard the thunder ol
hoofs and heard the whirr of wheels
l saw Ned's eyes flash fire in the semi.
darkness and his face grow pale,
Before he could take the reins from
my inexperienced hands we had run
the toll in good earnest, and the
horses were flying over the bridge as
only frightened horses can. 1t was
as much as Ned could do to guide
them, and twice we were in deadly