Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-06-27
A COLORADO SAUCEPAN.

One thousand five bundled miles in a
farm-wagon! A weary distance to
travel.
To be sure there were double springs
fitted to the wagon, and a comfortable
bed placed in the back where the invalid
mother constantly reclined, and where
Nellie too often cast herself.
But both Nellie and her mother were
more glad than they could saythat Pixies
Peak was so near, and their journey
nearly done.
"Stop minute, Harry" said the
young girl, excitedly, as they passed the
Balancing Rock in the Garden of the
Gods And out she sprang to rescue a
shining object from beneath the crunch
ing wheels.
cit is saucepan, mamma, perfectly
new and bright. Was anything ever
more fortunate2 We have needed one
so much since we lost ours in that storm
on the Platte
"Will it fit our camp-stove2" asked
Harry.
Exactly, I think"
at must have been dropped by per-
sons very short distance in advance, :"
said the mother. ''At supper time they
will bewail their loss.n
"And at supper-time, -" laughed Nellie,
eve will rejoice over our gain"
An hour later the travellers had passed
through the picturesque village of Mani
tou, nesting at the base of Pixies Peak,
and halted in Englemann's Canon, near
the Iron Spring.
'We have selected the loveliest spot
for our tent that you can imagine,
mamma" announced Nellie, breathIess-
ly, after short exploration of the camp
ing ground. Crank and l were divided
as to the north or south side of the road,
but we finally decided on little south
side knoll, which slopes to gurgling
brook at the back and faces the road in
front 1t is all among the pines, too,
mamma, and l am sure it will make you
well to breathe such pure air in such a
lovely spot"
The tent was soon pitched, and when
the early twilight fell the floor had been
laid and wagon unpacked.
ooh, love am lonely;
I'm waiting here for thee"
warblcd Nellie, at her work in the ex.
tension or kitchen.
How glad | am that we have no near
neighbors,' she remarked to her brother,
who was feeding the stove with resinous
zine, "for 1 shall want to sing all the
time out here
"But we have neighbors," he an
swered. "They came a few moments
ago, and chose the very site l first Sc
lected, and arc busy putting up their
tent now"
"Is there an invalid with them?"
eyes, an old gentleman, rather cross
one. too, am afraid, for l heard him
sco.ding quite sharply short time ago. y
Nellie arose early the next morning for
there was much vet to be accomplished
in the way of becoming settled in the
new home. While preparing breakfast
she heard a pleasant "Good morningr
from the back door, and glanced up to
find young man standing there.
''Pardon so early visit, he explained,
'but have you saucepan you could con-
veniently loan We have lost ours, and
my uncle thinks he cannot possibly dc
without his porridge." "
"OuTs is not in use and you are
quite welcome to it." was the cordial re.
sponse.
"Are you the cook 2" she continued
her face dimpling into smiles as she
scanned the handsome face and well-knit
figure.
eyes, to my sorrow, am for the pres
ent. May | call on you for some kindly
hints when in particular dilemma2'
glancing suggestively at her well-foured
hands.
"Certainly, as often as you like.
have served a full apprenticeship"
"Nellie, the potatoes are burning, ;
called her mother from the innel
room.
Whereupon the young man hastily de
parted, promising an early return of the
saucepan.
''No ladies with themp' said Nellie
at the breakfast-table, chow dreary thai
must be-"
''They have been on a tour in tho
mountains" said Harry, "but it did moi
seem to benefit Mr.. Castleman."
"Castlemanp exclaimed Nellie, in
panied surprise, lis that the namep
eyes. But what's the matter, Nell
You look as if you had seen a ghost"
"Where are they from?"
'Illinois, l believe. The old gentle
man says he owns property in our coun
ty.n
"The very same, " thought Nellie, will
pang. "Just before papa died he tolt
me that Castleman was the name of tn,
man who obtained our home on a secu
rity debt. And this is the man. Dear
dear old home," she thought, "it break
my heart to remember your comforts ant
associations, and to think that mamma, il
her ill-health is banished from you"
perhaps l may ask your daughte
again for the saucepan, madam" sale
Frank Casteman, when he returned tha
useful article. "By a strange coincidenc
the only tin store in the village wa
burned last night. Our man will be her
in few days with supplies, however
and then we will trouble you no longer.
Mamma" said Nellie, on his depar
ture, 81 feel sure that saucepan is theirs
1t seems dreadful to think of, for W
need it so badly"
"Ill buy you one, sis, with the yer,
first money can earn" said Harry.
"0h, dear, how miserable it is to b
poorw sighed Nellie. 81 think I'll jus
| keet, II for mamma ,,oue+ bava hnr nor