The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-14
AN ouD.FAsHIoNED LOVE.

their thick, green glass, sloped the roof
bearded at the caves with moss and patched
with yellow and gray lichens, and at one end
rose broad chimney, up which clambered a
woodbine just feathering out with delicate
new leaves. There was a stone step at the
front door; it was worn hollow at the side
where the lilacs grew, and formed recepta
bic for the sweet-dropped petals OF the pink,
old-fashioned roses as well as for the pale
purple flowers. A gnarled and ancient cher
~. tree shaded the quaint dwelling and all
about it stood crooked, untrimmed apple
and wild plum-trees, and along its irregular
stone wall sprang currant bushes and black
berry runners that twisted and turned in and
out between the great loose stones and
stretched over the pathway.
The place was a picturesque bit in the
landscape One came upon it abruptly over
rise in the high road, and it was like an
old-time vignette to a whole series of modern
and magnificent country residences that
formed the suburb of a large city. 1t had
been occupied by generations OF the same
family, and so little had they varied in phys
ical or mental traits that it was difficult to
tell where sire left off and son began. Their
small farming had continued from year to
year without perceptible improvement or
chaage-save that of the seasons; their gar
ments descended by inheritance, and they
eschewed all modern ideas of living or dying.
and were at length laid in silent rows, side
by side, in the old daisied graveyard on the
hillside.
At the time of which 1 write their re-
manned among the living of this family of
Barnets but one widow and her grand
daughter, Hetty, girl of eighteen. A hired
man attended to the farm duties, as had his
father before him; he was faithful, simple,
and stubbornly set against all innovations.
Hetty Barnet, the last of the name, ao-
eOrding to her neighbors favored" her
father wonderfully, and the Barnet men had
been remarkable for fine physique, we'll
developed, clean of blood and tall in stature.
Hetty was a handsome girl, with bright
wild-rose complexion, clear brown eyes and
a rich profusion of wavy chestnut hair She
moved with a serene young dignity, unruf-
fed by the stern exigencies of fate, and
looked out from under long lashes with
frank, innocent expression that was foreign
to all modern coquetry. And yet the girl
did not lack for admirers, nor pleasant con-
seriousness of the power to win them; nature,
in her changing color, her sweet red lips and
the futtering diinple in her rounded,
healthy cheek did her coquetting for her,
and many wiStful glance was cast under the
cherry boughs, where in the summer time
she was wont to sit.
"Grandmotherl'' she called one afternoon,
as dashing team assembled not distant hill
grandmother who do you think is COM
ing up the road? 1t is the Widow Campbelrs
son. What display he makes with his
black horses and handsome carriageW
Old Mrs. Barnet put on her spectacles,
smoother her calico apron, and came out
from among the beehives near the garden
gate
"Well, declare tot, he does!" exclaimed
the astonished old lady. ITS a new turn
out as sure as I'm Mehtable Barnett Before
his father, Ebenezer Campbell, died he didn't
know scarcely where to get his Twin. That's
his Uncle Johns money he's a-gallivatin' on
now, Hetty you may be sure of it."
"Why, grandmother, John Jay hasn't left
him what's his own-yet." Hetty's mouth
grew round as puckered rosebud "He
isn't dead"
Dead, child Nobody said he was or
goin' to die, either, but everybody knows
there amt no possible chance of his mar
ryin', and young Campbell is dashin', l tell
you, on his future chances. He amt the
kind to wait for dead mans shoes; he's
jest a-wearin' of 'em while his uncles a.
Twin. He's the only likely heir, Hetty, to
the big Jay property"
But John Jay is not old, grandmother"
returned the girl, vehemently. "His hair
may have turned bit, but he is not an old
man."
Not so old, as you say, Hetty," and the
old lady looked sharply over her spectacles
at her granddaughter "But he has handled
you on his knee of n enough"
Hetty blushed, and devoted herself to her
task of Smelling peas, but Grandmother Bar
net was,diligently looking for insects on her
favorite rosebush, and saw nothing
"You see," she continued, there was some
kind of talk, Hetty, about Johns havin' had
q disappointment moren ten years ago.
Leastways, it amt known he ever cared
about anu other woman an IL stands to ron
son, he's told his nephew so. That young
man, you may be certain is pretty sure of
the Jay property or he wouldn't dash out as
he's been a-doin'. Fine clothes, and horses
and dinners, Pm tolG, at the old place." and
the old lady shook her head deprecatingly,
as she held up an unfortunate insect between
her merciless thumb and finger All the
color had gone out of the girls cheeks now
she bent lower over her work. and was silent
why, Hetty child, you can't have forgot
John. He used to visit here for quite a
spell about the time you first came home
from school, He used to sit evenings with
your cousin Jim afore he went to Californy
on that unlucky business. You can't alto
gether have forgot John?'
"Oh, no, grandmother" said Hetty, quiet
ly, II remember him very WELL"
IAN how sudden he did take himself off
He scarcely come in to say good-by l al
ways wondered at that, because it wasn't his
way, nohow. And Marthy Ames chats his
mothers second cousin) told me the family
hadn't heard thing from him since he went
It's queer proceeding. Sometimes. Hetty,
/ did use TO think that Bless me if young
Campbell amt turned up the lane,
and comm straight here, and me with my
old cap onl You'll have to see him, child"
And Hetty did ''see him." as she had done
before He tied his horse to limb of an
apple-tree, and came in over the sunken,
vine-covered stone wall and sat down nm the
sweet, fresh face above, and in his bright
young way made himself agreeable. Yet the
girl could not ever quite bring herself to feel
at ease with him, for with all his winsome
spontaneity of manner he seemed.too con-
scious of himself and his surroundings that