Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-03-01
JUST IN TIME.

We are lonely couple-my old man
and 1. For nearly fifty years we have
lived among the Welsh hills in our
little cottage, a quiet, uneventful life.
Nearly three years ago the iron horse
came steaming through our peaceful
valley, bearing to us, as it rushed by,
some little glimpses Of the great, busy
world from which it me-stopping
for moment at the tiny station four
miles away, then flying on again out
into the heart of the hills beyond.
This passing of the noon express
came to be the one exciting event Of
our lives; and we never failed to
watch it out of sight as it wound its
way around the curves and among the
hills that stretched away as far as the
eye could see.
One lovely June evening l sat
watching for Roger, who had gone
over the hills to the station. At last
he came in sight, the tired old pony
jogging along at his own pace.
"a letter, Linda he said, as he
stopped at the gate.
l Hurried to take it, for letter was
no common thing among US quiet
country people. 1t proved to be from
a half-sister of Rogers, from whom
he had heard nothing for years. She
was the child of his father by sec
>nd marriage, and had, since her own
marriage, always resided in London.
Her letter requested permission to
send her daughter Bessie to us for a
visit She wished to remove her
from the attentions of young gentle
man who had of late become very de-
voted, and thinking the entire change
of scene might drive the foolish fancy
from Bessie's head, she had concluded
to write to us to take her for time.
"Well. she must come, Of course, -
said Roger, at last, breaking the
silence into which we had fallen after
the perusal of the letter.
"Of course" Iassented, still feeling
that 1 could not have my quiet home
broken in upon by a stylish lady, who
would ridicule our simple way of
living, and be filled with innumerable
wants and whims.
"But, after ALL Roger went on, in
his quiet way, that was always the
same, no matter to whom he was
speaking, l think Harriet must have
been in sore strait to think of us, for
she was always little apt to hold her
head higher than the rest of us. But
the girl must come, and we will doour
best by her, and try to make her stay
pleasant. You had better answer the
letter tonight. Linda"
So the letter was written, and the
invitation made as cordial as possible
In about a week she came, Roger
driving over to the station with tht
cart and horse to meet her and carry
her luggage. stood in the door a.
they drove up, trying my best to appeal
delighted and hospitable; but one look
into that girlish face drove away al
fears 1 had entertained in regard t,
airs and graces. The curling hair wa
pushed back under net, her cheek
were flushed with excitement, and tn,
babyish lips looked almost ready t
culver, as homesick look crept int
the brown eyes raised to mine 1 tool
her right into my arms-I could no
help it; I have wondered sine
how ever came to do it
and the child-for child sh
was in looks-laid her head on m,
shoulder. and cried a few home-sicl
tears; then we went into the house
where the tea was waiting, and al
though she scarcely touched mouth
full, stin, think before the meal wa
over we had grown pretty well az
quainted. and /, at least, had deter
mined to do al in my power to brin
back the sparkle to those lovely eye
- = I'-.' I-l