Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-28
Gales aud Skftfhts.
OUR VISITOR.

village on SATURDAY moTuibS. W.
noticed her particularly because she was
alone, because she was a stranger and be.
cause she was very pretty. She appeared
to be young lady of two or three and
twenty Slightly above the medium height.
of perfect form--that is. if you can admit
that perfect health and vigor may go win
perfect forthwith large. piercing black
ewes. aud a wealth of raven tresses fioat-
/ ing over her shoulders. She was habited
in neat and convenient travelling dress.
and as she stepped from the stage-coach
| to the piazza her movements were supple.
though little cramped by her long ride
| A large canvas covered trunk followed
her into the hall, and after she had been
shown into the parlor. the register. with
pen and ink, was brought for her sigma
iure. She nodded pleasantly = nodded
with a smile that completely capiivated
| the impressible clerk-and then. in a very
| pretty, Italian hand, wrote her name
Miss Clara Dubois, Philadelphia. Penn. y
Later, AS the landlord politely escorted
her TO the supper-room. she informed him
| that she had heard OF his hOuse-that 1t
was quiet and well-kept. and that she had
come for short rest and respite from the
din and turmoil of the great city. And
then. with the sweetest smile imaginable,
she added:
LAS | am alone and a stranger,l ought.
perhaps, to say just word OF myself. My
mother is not living. My father and
have lately returned from European
tour, and have sought this quiet retreat
" lille he prepares our house IN fhlia-
drlphia II he can leave his business he
NAV, in the course of u few weeks. come
up alter Inc.
The good host was grateful for the in
formation, and was very glad the young
lady had honored the house with her pres
ence. He would do what he could to
make her stay comfortable and agreeable.
Very soon Miss Dubois became acquan-
ted with the guests of the house. and
proved herself as intelligent and entertain
lng as she was pretty. She played well
upon the pianoforte, but did no, sing. She
PLAYED chess, too. though there was OILY
one party in the house TO play with her.
The days passed on, and Miss Dubois
walked in and about the village. She
seemed interested in the place, and spoke
favor; bly, of all that she saw. Her usual
walking habit was a dress of black silk,
and a jaunty Swiss hat. and very few men
met her on the street who did not turn to
take second view.
Boarding at the hotel was Mr.. Aaron
Huntey. He kept the principal store in
the village. and was also our postmaster.
He was man of five and forty, rotund
and good looking, and had been widow
er ten years. He was tender-hearted
man, albeit little selfsufficient and inn
porlant; but he was impressble and gal
liant. and could unbend to the softer sex.
In fact he quietly enjoyed what he con-
ceived to be his power over the marriage
able young ladies of the village; and
certain power he did certainly possess, for
in addition to his passably good looks, he
was wealthy-that is, wealthy as COM
pared with other people in the village.
He had been successful trader, and he
had been careful of his money, which he
worshipped.
And it was Mr.. Huntley who played
chess with Miss Dubois. He was very
fair player, and she was skillful. Some
times he came off winner. though 1t is
doubtful if he realized that his occasional
victory was through the kind sufferance
of his fair antagonist. And so the village
warm friends, and 1t came at length that
almost every evening found them at the
chess board.
Let it not be thought that Mr.. Huntey
was the only man that sought the society
of Miss Dubois. A score, at least, of the
young men of the village were very at
tentIve. She was kind and gracious TO
all, but she PLAINLY showed that the sub
stantal merchant was her favorite. With
him she went to a picnic, and with him
she went to church, where she was among
the most devout OF the vorshippers.
Yes. she was certainly fond Of the com.
pany OF MIR. iuntley, and it is not to be
wondered at that he should become fond
of her She was pretty, she was witty,
she was intelligent, and she had strong
common sense, and. furthermore. she
was young and buoyant. What more
could he ask in a wife? If he thought
Of dover, her conversation of herself
had convinced him that her father was
wealthy.
One evening Aaron Huntley came from
the parlor, where he had been playing
chess. radiant. He had proposed and had
been accepted. He managed to keep
twenty hours, and then he let it out to the
landlord. and was congratulated. The
store keeper was happy. He walked as
one who treads on air. He was smiling
and gracious to his customers, and even
generous.
"Of course" whispered Clara. with her
head resting upon Mr.. Huntley's Shout
der, I'VE cannot be married until my
father comes. have written to him and
told him ALL"
Yes--he knew she had written. for on
that very day he had mailed the letter adj
dressed to "CoL. CHARLES Ii. DUBOIS,
Philadelphia, Penn"
And" pursued Clara. with emotion,
81 know he will like you. He has been
a kind and indulgent papa to me-"
81 hope he will like me. darling"
"Oh, know he will. You will be con-
tent to wait till he comesp'
Yes, though it is happiness deferred"
"Ah. Aaron, do you think you will always
love me as now p'
ALWAYS, dearest!' And he pressed
her to his bosom in the exuberance of his
affection.
After this. Miss Dubois was much at the
store, and. in her play ful, happy wav. she
assisted often in the post-oifice. which was
square room partitioued off in one corner
of the building
Hunlley was certainly the happiest man