The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-06-28
CIara's Way.

Hazelnut farm was at its prettiest
when Clara Fields came to live there.
The old house, with its square, old
feshior>ed ro-~h. vine-cnvered gable
ends, and newly painted green blinds,
glimmered white through the emerald
freshness of the maple trees; the grass
was purpled all over with wild violets,
and the dim old woods on the mountain
side were embroidered with thousand
flowers. And the pretty young bride,
standing on the rustic bridge that span
ned the brook, with tufts of lilies on her
breast, looked at the rising moon and
drew long sigh of contentment.
"Oh, John, how beautiful this isl"
she said softly. elbow happy we shall
be? We can walk in the woods and
gather wild flowers and ferns, and we
can row on the river, and have readings
on the lawn, and sketch these exquisite
bits of scenery, and life will be like a
beautiful dream.''
John Fields whistled rather dubi-
ously.
"Of course it will, my DEAR" said
he. "And I'm glad you like the old
place. But I rather think there'll be
something to do besides read and row
and sketch.
The next morning, when Clara came
down to breakfast in white bunting
dress, with cherry bars all over it, Aunt
Keziah looked at her in owl-eyed surprise.
"My dear" said she, "if you and
John expect to get on in the world
you'll have to keep earlier hours than
this"
"Why, Aunt Keziah, it's only seven
O'clock" said Clara, artlessly glancing
up at the clock.
"Humph I" remarked Aunt Keziah,
as she placed the broiled ham on the
table, each slice surmounted by the
golden disk of a delicately fried egg.
"John's brother William lives on the
next farm, and his wife has been up
since daybreak, I'll 60 BAIL"
"Since daybreak?" echoed Clara.
"Why, what can she possibly find to
busy herself withl"
'sJust exactly what you ought to busy
yourself WITH" said Aunt Keziah, tax
ing pan of buttermilk biscuits out of
the oven, and filling the crooked han
died little pitcher with thick, clotted
cream. ga farmer swife can't sit down
and fold her hands, unless she want:
to ruin her husband outright.
Clara looked piteously at Aunt Ke.
ziah's inexorable face, but she asked
no more questions. After breakfast,
however, she put on her little gypsy
hat, with its dropping brim and wreath
"John," she said to her husband,
who was busy giving directions to his
farm hands, 81 am going across the
meadow to Wills wife.
John looked at his young bride rather
obviously.
care you, pet7" said he. "Don't
you think it would be good idea tc
help Aunt Keziah in the pantry7"
Clara laughed and shook her head.
''She is all tied up in pocket hand
kerchiefs and bib-aprons, white wash
ing," she said. 81 can't white-wash." /"
ssMy mother always did all the white
washing that was done in the place un'
til she died." remarked John.
sWhat was your father thinking O
that he didn't hire some man to do il
for herr" asked Clara, biting her lips.
"People out this way do their own
work." observed John Fields, little
shortly. "Money doesn'tg grow on every
bush like blackberries, and the women
of Hazelnut are taught to be proud Of
their industry and thrift"
Clara shrugged her shoulders, and trip
ped lightly over the dewy meadow to
where the pretty home of her brother
in-law, William Fields, nestled in 6
grove of ancient elms and sycamores.
eff this is life in the country" said
| the bride to herself, 81 think I'll &C
back to teaching in the city"
"Will's wife" was summoned from
the dairy to receive her visitor. She
had met Clara before, and welcomed
her with smile and cordial pressure
of the hand.
81 thought, of course, you woule
have been over to see me before now,
said Clara reproachfully.
Idid intend to come, said Mrs. Will
apologetically, "but I was up last nigh
darning the children's stocking till pas
midnight"
She had dropped into chair with
hand pressed to her side, a wearied
spiritless looking creature, with he
abundant brown hair huddled into net
large crash apron tied around he
waist and sleeves rolled up high above
the thin elbows that had once beer
round and dimpled.
"Alice," said Clara, "tell me wha
you have done to-day and what you d.
other days. Aunt Keziah is holding
you up as a model to me, and l want t.
| hear what it is that you actually hav'
accomplished"
Mrs. Will smiled.
eyes" she said, "they tell me tina
l am good worker. And I do ge
along we'll, for my husband has laid VI
deal of money at interest, and W.
haven't had servant girl in the hous'
in two years. You see I rise at fou
O'Clock every morning-one can accom-
plish so much before the sun really get
hot. This morning I churned twent.
pounds of butter, strained and SKINNED
the milk, scalded the pans, fed the pigs
and the young turkeys and ducks ant
chickens, and got breakfast for Viii
and two hired men and the children.
"Stop a minute" said Clara, VIII
had been listening with intent ears OF in
terest. ESQ Will has hired men2"
"Yes-he always keeps two in sum
mer and one in winter" exclaimed
Alice.
"Then l think you ought to have
IL L.. i