Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-12-19

ncr IN Il iOW NulCc.
sIt is a riding party, Miss Scamper. l
know the best horse in the livery-stable
here, and if you'll permit me, I'll secure
it for you"
To which she replied in the same tone:
"Thauk yon, Mr.. Dodd; you are very
kind, but have one at command already.
Get that tor yourself"
Somewhat rebuffed, Di,Emus colored,
but she added, "Mine shall not disgrace
vou," which was distnctintmation that
she expected him as escort. The spirits
of Didymus rose from zero - bloOd-heat.
The next morning, as the riders were
ready to start, groom, known to be one
of Colonel Parsifall's, rode up leading
magnificent bloodcd bay horse, equipped
with side-saddlc. As they were admir-
ing the animal, Miss Scamper, in neat
riding habit, made her appearance. The
groom took of his hat. Didymus, not
little astonished, put forth his hand, and
the lady vaulted 20 the back of the horse
with easy grace. The cavalcade set out,
Miss Scamper and Didymus together, and
being better mounted than the others,
were soon at the head Of the column.
About 4 mile from the Springs there
was Il bar III the way. < lofty tnlip-trce
had been blown down during the night,
aud had fallen across the road, the trunk
well up on account OF the wide roots.
Some one had already cleared 4 way by
letting down fences on the roadside; but
Miss Scamper did not so around with the
rest. She faced the trunk, the horse went
over, and then trotted on. DidymuS
faced it too. His brute got over, but halt
stumbled Didymus was country-bed,
had ridden horses to mill barc-backcd,
and was n half ccntaur when boy so he
brought his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and grace
with which Miss Scamper managed her
horse, an,, Didymus more than anybody.
When they arrived at their destination,
the party dispersed in the house and over
the grounds. They found old Scampcr
there. lie had gone over before in car
ry-all. A!mont was the property of Col.
Almont, and was for sale, with its fine
blooded stock Of horses and cattle, its fur
niture, its library, and everything in the
house and around It. The Colonel and
his family were in Europe, and intended
to stay there while he educated his SOILS
at Heidelberg. So he offered the whole
a house that cost 4 hundred and thirty
thousand dollars, with all its offices of all
kinds, stables, palmery, grapery and
greenhouses, furniture made TO order,
and over twelve hundred acres of land in
a high state Of cultivaton-"for," rs he
said in his letter, "a mere song" So IL
was; but rs ii was set tn the tune OF three
hundred thousand dollars, there were
few who could render the music.
They al admired the place. The agent,
who was there, seized on the Scampeis
and Didymus, to whom he shovel every
thing and explained everything. Didy-
mus was amused at this, and whispered
to Miss Scamper, "IIc has picked out the
only three who could certainly not buy
it," Miss Scamper, by the twinkle in her
eyes, evidently appreciated the fun Of the
situation. Then the agent seized old
Scampcr, and dragged him off to look at
the blood horses and imported cattle,
leaving Didymus and the girl together.
"How doyou like the place, Mr.. Dodd:"
inquired she.
Like it, Miss Scamper! Why, it is
garden of Eden; that is, 1t would be so 70
me, If | had 1t with an Eve init. .''......
The young lady smiled, and said, "You
like country life, then, Mr.. Dodd?"
"Naturally," replied Di,lymus. 81
lived In the country until was twenty
two. was born and bred there. l should
have been there yet but for the death of
both Of my parents. | went to the city
IN search Of fortune. have done very
well for the last seven years, and have
put little by; but TO covct place like
this is like wishing for the moon"
"The country is the place to live in, aud
the city to work in," said Miss Scampcr,
scntentiously.
''To live in, | grant you, if You have
the means-a good farm ami money TO
work it. Otherwise you toll harder in
the country than in town, with less COM
fort and less profit"
Then they discoursed on rural topics,
with 4 marvellous unity Of sentiment,
until the venerable Scamper and the
agent got back, which was at the time the
whole party, each with noscSay fur
nished by the gardener from the green
houses. was ready for 4 return to the
Springs.
There were yet two Gays Of the young
mans vacation left, when he determined
to place his fate ut Miss Scamper's dis
posal at the first opportunity. The chance
came that very night. That evening Il
number were seated on the yeranda ell
joying the moonlight. Miss Scamper SCI
apart from the rest, in heavy shadow,
with her grandfather. The old gentle
man rose when Dodd came. and left.
Miss Scanper made room for Didymus mt
her side, and the two began 20 talk Of the
days doings.
"By-the-bye,'' said Didymus, ''bave
you heard that Amont has been sold:"
ayes"
"And TO the great heiress, Miss Boil
sover. wonder If she will keep old
maids hall there?"
miss scamper laughed low, silvery
laugh. 81 presume she will" she said,