The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-28
A LITTLE SURPRISE.

LITTLE SURPRISE.
1t was a chilly November nigh
when the train got into Hampden.
Hampden was one of those new
unfinished places which required
the brightest of sunlight, the green
est frame of quivering leaves, 4
make them all presentable. And il
the gray. uncompromlsing medium
of the November dusk. Hampder
looked dreary enough, with the darl
chimneys of the new silk mill rising
out of the hemlock woods, the star
ing Queen Anne depot, the church
which bore a strong family resem
blance to child's wooden toy, anC
the stone quarry to the left. which
reminded the thoughtful looker-on
of gigantic fortification in an un
finished state.
"Humph !" said Mrs. Medley, al
she looked around her. "A queer
place !"
Her niece, Phebe, was there tC
meet her, with box-wagon and q
white-nosed old horse.
Folks can't always choose where
they're to live" said Phebe,w was
always in a state of antagonism to
Mrs. Medley. "And Hampden il
good enough for mel"
How is Philip" said Mrs. Ned.
ley.
"Philip is well,n said Phebe, as
she helped the depot-boy 70 hoist
Aunt Nedley's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's
favorite nephew. She had paid his
bills at school, superintended his
fortunes, and finally purchased for
him a share in the new silk mills.
"He's all I've got" said Mrs. Ned
ley, Except Phebe, and Phebe and
| never did hitch horses together.
And / want him to succeed in the
world"
But within few days a new claim
ant had arisen to Aunt Nedley's pro-
lection and tender consideration.
"To-be-sure she is no relation to
me-" said Mrs. Medley. But her
mother was my dearest friend, and l
think / will adopt her for my own. "
And it was scarcely an hour from
the time in which she learned that
silvia Grey was an orphan, that she
wrote a kind letter to the girl, invit.
ing her to come to the East for a
visit.
"If you like it, my dear, there
need be no occasion for your ever
going back" she wrote. "We are
both alone. Let us be companions
to one another"
She had waited and waited, and
no reply mad arrived ; and while she
waited plan had developed itself
in her mind.
"If she is her mothers daughter.
she can't help being pretty" said
Mrs Medley. "Phil is handsome
lad. She shall marry Phill'
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's
presence at Hampden.
Il suppose you are still keeping
house for Philip ?" said sheto Phebe
as they drove along in the chill twi-
light
"No," said Phebe, skillfully guild
ing the old horse down a steep place
in the road,
"He boards, eh ?" said Mrs. Ned
ley.
mo, he don't board" answered
Phebe. "His wife keeps house for
him."
"What ?" said Mrs. Medley.
"He is married." announced
Phebe, very much in the tone in
which she might have said ut is a
cold evening"" or The train is late
Philip married." repeated the
I'D lady-"married Stop. Phebe
don't drive a step further! Turn
around at once. Take me to the
station. I'll return to Concord"
''Ain't you going to see Philip p
asked Phebe.
mot if he is married." answered
Mrs. Medley, in a choked voice.
Hes got a proper nice wife,"
pleaded Phebe. You'll like her."
"No shan'tI' said Mrs. Medley.
'Philip-married! Phebe, if you
lon't turn around, I'll get out and
walk !"
Mrs. Nedley's will was like ada
nant, and Phebe Barrow was forced
o succumb to it.
And so it happened that Phebe
md the white-nosed pony arrived.
solitary and alone. at the little cot
age of the mill superintendent half
10 hour afterward.
Phil came out into the porch, car
.ying lamp in his hand.
Mrs. Phil ran after him with q
pink apron tied around her trim
waist, and her brown fringe of hair
back from her forehead.
Where's my aunt 2" said Phil, as
Phebe jumped out. Didn't she
,ome?"
.She came" said Phebe curly !;
but she's gone back again."
"Gone back again ?"
"Yes. She didn't like it because
vou've got married. SO she's gone
pack by the sight-six train.n
tsOL OL,l -, ov;.I NJ R.~~o-