Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-10
An IMAGINARY RIVAL.
Twas the last rose of summer,
Left blooming al0up.

Lett blooming alone,
Trilled Susie Ford, as she secured away at
the pantry shelves, intent on getting her
task done betimes, for hadn't Cousin
John promised to drive her to c. that
afternoon, and Susie dearly loved to 20 to
c., especially when pleasant, kindly
Cousin John" handled the reins.
Susie was bright little body, not partic-
ularly noted for beauty, unless clear blue
eyes, a goodly quantity of reddish brown
hair, and a happy disposition constitute
that desirable quality. She was an orphan
and had lived here on the farm with Aunt
Esther Holmes ever since her mother,
Aunt Estber's only sister, had died, leaving
her a helpless little infant, dependent on
the kindness of relatives.
Aunt Esther never regretted having
taken the little Susie to her heart and
home Her bright face and sweet voice
were a cheerful innovation on the Quiet
ness that generally prevailed at the farm
house. And Susie, naturally affectionate,
loved her home and every animate thing
upon it, from Aunt Esther and her stepson
John down to the little chicks and guinea
fowls which she fed every morning.
Late in the afternoon Susie was safely
enSconced on the front seat of the dearborn.
with Cousin John beside her, a basket of
eggs on her lap to be exchanged at the
store for tea and spices, and a basket slowed
under the seat to hold the results of their
shopping Now, don't forget to call for
the mail, John, and don't upset Susie,
was Aunt Esther's parting Injunction. For
Cousin John, dear reader, was a student
and dreamer, lust come from college,
Susie would have proudly informed YOU,
and was apt to go about with his head in
the clouds, to the risk of his own and other
peoples safety.
The air was sweet with the scent of orch
ard and field, the dust was nicely laid by
the recent rain, and Susie enjoyed her ride
to and from the little country town to the
full. She transacted Aunt Esther's nu-
merous commissions at the corner store
carefully, while Cousin john called at
the Postoffice and bargained with the pro-
prietor of the general book and news stand
for some secondhand volumes.
At the tea table that evening, while
Aunt Esther and Susie were discussing the
afternoons purchases, John looked up from
the letter he was reading and asked: g
say, mother, do the Boldts take boarders ?"
Why, yes, | believe so. What makes
you ask?' 4" Nothing particularly, only
Ed. Thorne tells me that his mother, his
sister Nettie and Miss Longstreet have Sc
cured board there for a month or so-in
fact, have already taken up their quarters
there"
Which means, said Aunt Esther, smil-
ing, that John and his beloved books will
have to say good-by TO each other, as any
thing like quietness within mile of Ed
and Nettie Thorne is something not to be
thought Of
C,,s;a ,-r,, a,,J ,,;,1 FL, - N-,4.,, M -
was pretty, whether Cousin John admired
her, and hoped she would see them all
soon. Her wish was gratifed the next day
She was busy mixing biscuit for tea when
she heard the sound of wheels, and looking
from the window she saw fine team, driv-
en- by Mr.. Thorne, rattle up to the gate in
great style. In a moment Cousin John,
who had also heard the wheels, fastened
out and greeted the party warmly. They
heard him invite them, especially pressing
the ladies, to come in and stay for tea but
they declined, Ed. Thorne adding mis-
chievousiy, Draw it mild, old ehum As
rule these girls never refuse anything
but l suppose they don't want to frighten
your mother too much Just at first"
Miss Longstreet told him TO mind his
horses and not their conversation, or some
one else would be frightened, and so with
laughter and many charges from Ned to
come and see them, they drove off. And
this was but the beginning of series of
driving and pleasure parties inaugurated
and carried out in the weeks to come
Susie was always included in the invita-
tons. but somehow she did not enjoy them
very much She and Helen Longstreet
became very good friends, but she always
felt abashed in Nettie Thornes eXuberant
spirits and gay manner In most of their
parties Ed. Thorne was almost the shadow
of the stately Helen, and Cousin John al
ways watched after Susies comfort, but
somehow Nettie seemed to have the pleas
ure OF his company most of the time.
All things come to an end, and so the
pleasant summer days slipped by and Mrs.
Thorne and the young people were prepar-
ing tor Their flight city-ward. Aunt Esther
had promised Miss Longstreet to let Susie
spend few weeks in town with her. and
preparations for the visit were now hurried
forward. but Susie took but a lapguid in
terest in them. She puzzled Au2t Esther
sorely, with nothing apparently the matter
with her, yet she seemed to be losing her
color, and was listless and Indifferent; even
the shopping for the proposed visit seemed
TO give her but little pleasure
1t was the eve of Susies departure for the
city, and her new Saratoga trunk Ia present
from Cousin Johnnl strapped and ready
in the hall She had been for walk
through the orchard, and as she was COM
ing back by the lane she met him hunting
for her. Why, here is my little red bird, y
he said gayly, with suggestive pull at her
hair
have been searching high and low for
you, and had about reached the conclusion
that you had departed for parts unknown
by yourself, without waiting for the morn
ing"
Hey, little one, is that so. with an
other pull. Susie did not answer: there
seemed to be lump in her throat and she
could not.
See here, he continued, how do you
like my farewell gift? n
/ think it is lovely said Susie finding
her voice; $50 large and roonIy, and Just
the thing every way"
Large, said cousin, in puzzled tone.
and roomy; why, child, where are your
eyes ?"
Susie looked up and then stopped short.
with an exclamation of pleasant surprise.
Cousin John held in his hand a slender
gold chain, from which depended a beauti-
full dead gold loekei
There, take It, he said, +" it won't bite
you
She took it from him and sprung the
Catch and then stopped short again. In
one side he had put Aunt Esther's picture.
and IN the other his own smiled up to her.
did not want you TO forget your home
folks. you see. he said, YOU win be meet
ing such charming people at Miss Long
streets"
That Will never be" exclaimed Susie
yehemently.
No, I think Jour affection for Aunt Es-
ther IS as enduring as the hills. but poor
me, you see, that's the rub. Isuppose you