Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-02-14
SELECT STORY.
Harold's Stratagem.

1t was a lovely March morning.
There had been a fall Of deep snow
the night before, and the big pine tree
in front of Deacon Clovsr's farm
house was fringed with pearl, while
the white fields, far and wide, glisten-
ed with alabaster purity. Eben, the
errand boy, had just brought an arm
full Of logs from the shed, and the
sitting-room fire blazed on it's shining
brass andirons, giving winter cheeri-
ness to the scene.
Phebe, the deacon's emily daughter,
was busy at the ironing table doing
up her fathers Sunday shirt-a tall,
pretty girl, with large tlue eyes,
chestnut brown hair which had never
felt the fortunes of the crimping-pin
and dot Of dimple in her chin.
Her dress was of plain brown calico,
with white apron, and ruffle, fasten-
ed by cherry-colored ribbons at her
throat, and there was neither tawdry
ring on her hands nor gaudy brooch
on her breast.
Lily Pepper, the squire's daughter,
who had just "dropped in," after a
friendly fashion, was quite different ;
her dress was of garnet merino, made
after the latest fashion-plate; her
hair was frizzed like Skye terriers,
and she twinkled all over with beads,
jets and bangles.
ole has quite fallen in love with
you, DEAR said Lily Pepper. "And
he is so handsome and stylish! !"
"Who ?" said Phebe, guiding her
iron skilfully around button on the
deacon's left wriStband.
Harold Grey, Judge Hadley's
nephew. He was there with young
Liston, who has taken the Spottis-
wood farm"
"Was he?:" said Phebe, indiffer-
emily.
"He thinks your voice is like Sig
nora Carinara's."
81 do not know whether that is a
compliment or not" returned Phebe,
polishing her iron on a piece of
paper.
"Phebe, how provoking you are !
Half the girls in town would be
wild with delight at compliment
from Harold Grey. A New Yorker,
You know, is so different from our
country boys"
81 do not think l care much for
New Yorkers,' returned Phebe.
"Don't you? Oh. l would give
my two ears to 60 to live in New
York"
81 wouldn't" said Phebe. 81 will
never 90 to New York. l will live
here always. There is no place like
the country to me-"
"Not even if Harold Grey should
ask you to so to New York ?"
"There is no danger of that" said
Phebe, Struggling her shoulders.
"No; but suppose. Suppose,
Phebe."
81 will never marry Il New Yorker"
said Phebe.
Meanwhile, the aforesaid Mr..
Harold Grey had driven over in a
coy little claret-colored cutter,
drawn by a magnificent bay horse,
to the Pepper mansion. Miss Lily,
as we know, had just returned from
Deacon Clover's.
"We were going to ask you to in
troduce us to the prima donna Of the
church concert last night" said Lis
ton. "Grey has decidedly lost his
heart to her blue eyes and peach
blossom cheeks.
at is no USE" said Lily, archly.
"No use?" echoed Grey. "And
why not?"
"Phebe has registered a VOW that
she will never marry anyone that
comes from the CITY,"
"Does she regard us all as lost sim
ners and vagabonds ?" smiled Grey.
81 do not know how that is" Lily
answered demurely. "But she is de-
termined to marry a farmer, and live
here in the country"
Gray looked rather discounted.
Liston broke into a laugh.
"You see, old boy" cried he, "my
chances are better than yours for
once IN the world. Come, let us go
on to the Glover farmhouse and make
our call"