Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-06-20
1alts aud Sketthts.
Get out. you old scamp

II was brilliant July day, with skies OF
cloudless blue, the air scented with clover
blossoms, and the brook vending its me-
lodious way under green masses of rep
permint: and Mr.. Carey, who had walked
a long distance. and had just fallen into q
doze, under the refreshing shadow OF .
gnarled old apple tree. started gaivanical-
" up at this ungentle address
..Sa'am," said he. Il assure You am
not tresspassing; L"
But his apologize words were cut short
BY the rafting of stout stick on the stone
wall. close to him land in another moment,
a belligerent looking red COW came plung..
ing through the high grass, directly toward
his haven of refuge.
He started to run, but his foot catching
in the gnarled root of an ancient tree, he
fell headlong The COW executed hurdle
leap over his PROSTATE form. and vanished
in a clump of hazel bushes land a resolute.
frightened woman, of some forty odd
wears. came to the rescue, with Tapping
sun-bonnet tied over her ears, and stick
balanced over her shoulder.
Don't striker pleaded Mr.. Carey,
I'm getting off the premises as fast as
can. assure you. didn't know l was
tresspassing.
Desire Welland blushed very prettily.
as she pushed back the sun-bonnet. and
endeavored to adjust her luxuriant red
brown hair. which had broken loose from
its pins
..Oh, I'm so sorry,'' said she. at
wasn't you meant at all, sir; it was the
COW who had got into the cabbage-patch.
Did hit you with the stick? But never
dreamed of any one but Bossy being there.
Oh, do let me run home and get the
camphor bottle?"
Slowly, Mr. Carey raised himself to a
sitting and then to a standing posture;
slowly he felt his knees, elbows and col
lar bones.
I'm not hurt" said he-"not to signi-
fy. that is. 1t wasn't Your stick, ma'am;
il was the roots of this COMPOUNDED old
tree It's enough to startle any man don't
you see? to hear himself called--an old
scamp"
But it wasn't you meant" breath
lessly cried Desire; ''it was the old cow.
Won't YOU let me run up to the house and
get a capcine plaster? Oh, do"'
Desire was fair to look upon, in spite of
her forty summers. with big black eyes.
laughing cherry red mouth and cheeks just
Drowned with the healthful hue of noun
tain breezes. Mr.. Carey felt himself
gradually softening as he looked at her.
Mo- said he Il don't care for a
capcine plaster. But I've walked good
way, and should like a bowl of coffee if
its handy"
s.Oh, pray come to the house then"
said Desire Ats only step across the
orchard Oh. that COW, that COW! We
must certainly have her hampered after
this ~
Perhaps" said Mr.. Carey, solemnly,
of his hat. "you know a family by the
name of Welland who live hereabouts.
Two old maids, who manage farm all
by themselves. Very peculiar females,
am told"
Desire stood still and began to laugh,
deep crimson suffused her cheeks.
"Why," cried she Its as. It's me and
Malvina. We are the Welland girls"
1t was Mr.. Carey's turn to flush and
look awkward, now.
"Oh :" said he. well, it don't matter.
I've business at the Welland farm-that's
all "
isn't it strange that things should hap
pen so ?' cried Desire. opening the gate
into the dim. shadowy orchard, where
scarlet lilies grew in the tall grass, and
robins darted in and out of the dropping
boughs. Here's the house. You can
see it now, Malvina and have managed
the farm ever since father died. Philo-
that's our brother-has house and an es-
tate of his own, and his wife don't want
any single relations. But we've done very
well, everyone says. Here's the place,
And here's Malvina!"
Miss Malvina Welland was diligently
hoeing sweet corn in a mans hat and
boots. She was tall Amazonian sort of
a female, hair cut short. and masculine
way OF leaning on her hoe. She looked
sharply around at the sound of footsteps.
as it the new hired manP" said she.
Then, Desire. you may tell him that we
don't want help that comes at this time of
day. I'll have no eight-hour men on my
place.
"Oh. Malvina, hush !" cried the young
est sister. in despair. Its gentleman
on business"
In came brother Philo from the back
yard. with an auger in his hand.
"Eh?" said brother Philo. wrinkled,
Manufactured man in a blue overall. and
boots that looked as ii they might have
been carved out of lignum vitae. "Busi-
ness? 1t amt a sewin'- machine, [ sup
pose. or new patent reaper, nor any o.
these labor-savin' humbugs? Because"
''It's about your cousin Rolf" said Mr.
Carey-"Paul Welland's son. He's come
back from Australia. He requested me to
come over here. as happened to be pass
ing this way and see what his relations
would do about giving him home"
At these words Mrs. Philo Welland
emerged from the currant- bushes, where
she was picking the sparkling, ruby-col-
ored fruit to make jelly. For Mrs. Philo
believed in always picking her neighbours
fruit before she began on her own.
"A home indeed,' said Mrs. Philo.
ats what always told you. Philol Says
|, that man'll be sure to come back some
day. poorer than poverty, saws /. And
he'll expect us to take care OF him then.
But we've worked good deal too hard for
our money-me and Philo-and if he
wants to be supported. let him just 20 to
the poor-bouse. Paul Welland always
was a rovin' creetur'. and Rolf amt no
better. I'll 20 bail ?'
Mr.. Philo Welland screwd up his face
into an expression of the utmost canton