The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-11-12

talked other method, and the gilded,
youth were in raptures. The mammas
conferred, and concluded that Miss
Scamper was a member of some church
choir, or attached to some English
opera troupe, who knew? But they
were civil. There was party going
over to Almont, Colonel Parsifall's
place, next day. Would she 20? She
assented. Didymus said to her in a
low voice:
ut is riding party, Miss Scamper.
know the best horse in the livery
stable here, and if you'll permit me,
III secure it for YOU
10 which she replied in the same
tone: '"Thank you, Mr.. Dodd; YOU are
very kind; but have one at COMMAND
already. Get that for YOURSELF
Somewhat rebuffed, Didvmus colored.
but she added, ''Mine shall not dis
grace you," which was a distinct
lntimation that she expected him as
escort. The spirits of Didymus rose
from zero to blood-heat.
The next morning, as the riders
were ready to start, a groom known to
be one of the Colonel Parsifalrs, rode
up leading magnificent blooded bay
horse, equipped with side-saddle. As
they were admiring the animal, Miss
Scamper, in neat riding-habit, made
her appearance. The groom took off
his hat. Didymus, not a little
astonished, put forth his hand, and
the lady vaulted to 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 mile from the Springs there
was bar in the way. A lofty tulip
tree had been blown down during the
night, and had fallen across the road,
the trunk we'll up on account of the
wide roots. Some one had already
cleared a way by letting down fences
on the roadside; but Miss Scamper
did not 90 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 half
stumbled. Didymus was country-b bred,
had ridden horses to mill bare-backed.
and was half centaur when a boy:
so he brought his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and
grace with which Miss Scamper man.
aged her horse, and Didymus more
than everybody.
When they arrived at their destina-
ton, the party dispersed in the house
and over the grounds. They found old
Scamper here. He had gone over be-
fore in carry-all. Almont was the
property of Colonel Almont, and was
for sale, with it's fine blooded stock of
horses and cattle, its furniture, it's IL
brary, 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 sons at
Heidelberg. So he offered the whole
a house that cost hundred and thirty
thousand dollars, with all its offices
of all kinds, stables, palmery, grapery
and greenhouses, furniture made to or
der, and over twelve hundred acres of
land in high state of cultivation--''for'
as he said in his letter, "a mere song
So it was; but as it was set to the tune
of three hundred thousand dollars,
there were few who could render the
music.
They all admired the place. The
agent, who was there, seized on the
Scampers and Didymus, to whom he
showed everything aud explained ev-
erything. Didymus was amused at
this, and whispered to Miss Scamper,
He 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
Scamper, and dragged him off to look
at the blood horses and imported cat
tie, leaving Didymus and the girl to-
gether.
"How do you like the place, Mr.
Dodd?' inquired she..
Like it, Miss Scamper! Why, it
is garden of Eden; that is, it would
be so to me, if had it with an Eve in
it,
The young lady smiled, and said,
You like country life, then, MIR.
Dodd?'
"Naturally,' replied Didymus. II
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 my parents. l went
to the city in search of fortune. have
done very we'll for the last seven years,
and have put a little by; but to covet
place like this is like wishing for the
moOn.'
The country is the place to live in,
and the city to work in,'' said Miss
Scamper, sententiously
ITO live in, l grant you, if you have
the means-a good farm and money
to work it. Otherwise you toll harder
in the country than in the town, with
less comfort and less profit.
Then they discoursed on rural topics,
with marvellous unity of sentiment,
until the venerable Scamper and the
agent got back, which was at the time
the whole party, each with a nosegay
furnished by the gardener from the
greenhouses, was ready for a return to
the Springs.
There were yet two days of the young
mans vacation left, when he deter
mined to place his fate at Miss Scamp
er's disposal at the first oppo1 tunity.
The chance came that very night. That
evening number were seated on the
veranda enjoying the moonlight. Miss
Scamper sat apart from the rest, in
heavy shadow, with her grandfather.
The old gentleman arose when Dodd
came, and left. Miss Scamper made
room for Didymus at her side, and the
two began to talk of the days doings.
''By-the-bye," said Didymus, shave
you heard that AlmOnt has been sold?'
YES"
'And to the great heiress, Miss Boil
sover. 1 woader if she will keep old
maids hall there?''
Miss Scamper laughed low silvery
laugh. Il presume she will,' she said,
''unless she chance to marry. Wasn't
that sad accident at the mill to-dav?''