Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-05-22

|
the Appledore they staid several days
at the big hotel, and Jennie delighted
her eyes with good look at Celia Thax-
ter. They stopped at Newburyport, rode
along within sight of the Merrimack,
passed the house on the Island which
shelters Mr.. Spofford and her sister and
in a little side street, leading off the
long, rambling thoroughsare Of Ames-
bury, found the home of the quaker
poet. By and by they reached the Hub,
stopping at the Brunswick, and Uncle
John seemed as familiar with Boston, as
with the White Hills. A week passed +,
and still the five hundred dollars held
out, and Jennie began to think the purse
that held it was like the one SO famous
in myth. AT last August drew near its
close; they had been away from home
seven weeks Jennie's school would soon
recommence, and Sues customers began
to think of Fall styles. Was not the
five hundred spent:
Uncle John drew down long face.
Little girls, what must be, must be" he
said, "though there is still money in the
purse, what pity we cannot keep on
to the end just as we are, with no
thought of schools or the cutting Of
dresses"
at would be nice, | mu st confess, "
assented Jennie. "This trip has almos,
spoilt me, though | have seen the White
Hills, and now want to see beyond the
Atlantic. | have had one good outing,
at any rate, if never have another and
| am ready to go back to the little brown
cottage and take up my work once
more"
II was almost dark when the parlor
car which contained them, Uncle Johns
extravgance holding out to the end }
drew up at Riaetown station. As they
alighted, a superb carriage, drawn by
magnifcen. black horses, stood waiting,
and servant in livery touched his hat
obsequiously to Uncle John, and opened
the carriage door for the party to enter
Come, Uncle John, let us walk" said
Jennie. "We know the streets of Rifle
town well enough not to miss our way,
and am sure the money is all gone by
this time"
Just enough left to pay the carriage
hire" laughed Uncle John. Jump in,
girls, let us wind up our outing royalty
The servant had already loaded in
their bundles, the driver had difficulty
in holding the impatient horses and Jennie
and Sue and Uncle John were finally in
the carriage, and away they went with a
dash.
Finally the carriage stopped before a
stately gateway, Illuminated by two bril-
liant gas lights, and the door was opened
by the obsequious footman.
"Why, Uncle, the driver has made a
mistake. This is not home," said Jen-
ME, looking out.
"Not home" said Uncle John, get
ting out onto the sidewalk "Yes, this
is home or, if it is not, We will walk
the rest of the way"
Jennie laughed her merry laugh. This
home Why, this was the Locusts, the
grandest mansion in Rihetown. Many a
time had she looked admiringly at its
broad velvet lawns, its masses of bloom
ing flowers, its rare and beautiful trees,
its winding walks, its statutes, its rows
of greenhouses and graperies. Uncle
John was getting facetious. The girls
got out, the footman touched his hat,
mounted by the side Of the driver, who,
without waiting for his fee, drove away.
"Come, girls let us 60 up and look al
the mansion. Perhaps, after all, it i:
the little brown cottage made over by
the wish of some modern Aladdin" said
Uncle John.
Again Jennie laughed.
"Why Uncle John, has coming home
turned your head: If we should go and
ask to look at the mansion, they would
send for the police"
"Send for the police Hardly as bat
as that, Jennie. At any rate, | have
call to make. Come up the walk lit
tie way"
Uncle John took his companions eacf
by the arm, and with gentle force lee
them up to the broad marble steps, ul
the very steps, and did not pause unit
he had swung back the door Of stained
glass, and the three stood in the statel!
hall of the mansion. Turning to tn
right, he swung open door, and mo
toned his companions to enter. As Jen
ME did so, she uttered exclamation oi
delight. She had entered her ideal of
library. The room was flooded with I