The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-07-25
miscellaneous.
Clara's Way.

Hazelnut farm was at its prettiest when
Clara Fields came to live there The old
house, with its square, old fashioned porch,
uncovered 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 spanned the brook, with
tufts of lilies on her breast looked at the ris-
ing moon and drew long sigh of content
ment.
"Oh, John, how beautiful this is p she said
softly. How happy we shall bc2 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
u beautiful dream"
John Fields whistled rather obviously.
"Of course it will my dear" said he. "And
Pm glad you like the old place. But rath
er 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 ex-
pect to get on in the world you'll have to
keep earlier hours than this"
"Why, Aunt Keziah, it's only7 o'clock"
said Clara, artlessly glancing up at the clock.
"Humph p remarked Aunt Keziah, as she
placed the broied ham on the table, each slice
surmounted by the golden disk of adelcately
fried egg. Johns brother William lives on
the next farm, and his wife has been up since
daybreak, I'll go bail"
aSinca layhreolz 2p pchopd Clara UWhv
what can she possibly find to busy herself
with?"
Just exactly what you ought to busy
yourself WITH" said Aunt Keziah, taking a
pan of buttermilk biscuits out of the oven,
and filling the crooked handled little pitcher
with thick, clotted cream. "A farmers wife
can't sit down and fold her Lands, unless she
wants to ruin her husband outright"
Clara looked piteously at Aunt Keziah's
memorable face, but she asked no more ques-
tons. After breakfast, however, she put on
her little gypsy hat, with its dropping brim
and wreath of daisies
"John," she said 10 her husband, who was
busy giving directions TO his farm hands, II
am going across the meadow to Willis wife"
John looked at his young wife rather du-
biously.
Are you, pet2" said he. "Don't you
Inlnk III WOulu Ue u SOOu lued 10 nclp huut
kcziah in the pantry"
Clara laughed and shook her head.
"She is all tied up in pocket handkerchief
and bib aprons, white washing" she said
II can't whte-wash."
my mother always did all the white-wash-
ing that was done on the place until she
died." remarked John.
What was your father thinking of that lie
didn't hire some man TO do it for ber?" asked
Clara, biting her lips. .....s.U III
people out this way do their own work, v
observed John Fields, little shortly. mon.
ey doesn't grow on every bush like blackber-
ries, and the women of Hazelnut are taught
to be proud of their industry and thrift"
Clara shrugged her shoulders, and tripped
lightly over the dewy meadow to where the
pretty home of her brother in-law, William
Fields, nestled in n grove of ancient ems ant
sycamores.
"Ifths is life in the country" said the
bride to herself, II think I'll go back tc
teaching in the city"
| willis wife" was summoned from the dai
ry to receive her visitor. She had met Glars
before, and welcomed her with smile and {
cordial pressure of the hand.
II thought, of course, you would have beer
over TO see me before now," said Clara re
proachfully.
~ did intend to come" said Mrs. Will
apologetically, but was up last night darn
ing the children's stockings till past mid
night"
She had dropped into chair with hant
pressed to her side, weared, spiritless look
ing creature, with her abundant brown hal
huddled into a net, a large crash apron tiet
around her waist and sleeves rolled up higl
above the thin elbows that had once beer
round and dmpled.
Alice" said Clara, "tell ME what you hay
done to-day and what you do other days.
Aunt Keziah is holding you up as model t,
me, and want to hear what it is that yo,
actually have accomplished"
Mrs. Will smiled.
YES" she said, "they tell me that am
good worker. And do get along well, 70
my husband has laid up deal of money
interest, and we haven't had servant girl il
the house in two years. You see l rise a
four o'clock every morning-one can accom-
plish SO much before the sun really gets hot
This morning churned twenty pounds o
butter, strained and skinned the milk, scald
ed the pans, fed the pigs, and the young tur
keys and ducks and chickens, and got break
fast for Will and two hired men and tn
children"
"Stop minute" said Clara, who had beef
listening with intent ears of interest -
Will has hired menw H.l
"Yes-he always keeps two in summer an,
one in winter" exclaimed Alice.
"Then think you ought to have womal
to help you" argued the bride.
ut would cost too MUCH" said Alice, sol
EMMY. well, let me see where was All
after breakfast make the beds and sweep
the principal rooms, and get the childre
ready for school. Then on Mondays wash
l Tuasdaus / irnn. Wndneadaua haho -,