The Wahpeton times., 1885-08-20

farm"
".And where have you been
all these years since your Uncle
''ln the West" he answered, with
an ambiguous wave OF the hand in that
direction.
''And you didn't make your for
tunep"
mo; came back poorer than when
l went away"
"That's too badr' she said, pitying-
ly. "Have you been up to see Kate?"
81 called on Miss Merriman as l
came from the train. She was at
home, but not to me-"
''The proud, stuck-up-thing!' cried
the girl, Indignantly. Gas though
you weren't as good as she any day!
Well, declared
Il suppose l would have been roy
ally welcomed if l had returned Il rich
man, or been, as 1 once hoped to be,
the owner of the Hill Farm"
"Wcll, some people are mighty
queer in their friendships. Now,
when I'm anybody's friend I'm out
and out their friend, and when don't
| 1ihC CilcA LClI luCIu oO. Ao "ou1uu U
have hurt her to come down and said.
'How dye do?' I'm glad to see you.
although you amt looking SO we'll as
you we.e when you left Middleton.
.'I've been sick," said Kent, land
I've worked very hard the last year. :"
''Now that you've got back home
you must take Il long rest. Father
will be mighty glad to see you. We're
living at the farm now. He's
foreman of the factory. You
wouldn't know the old place; it's
changed good deal since you were
there. I'm just going up to the store
to get some things. and if you will
walt here, III hurry and give you q
ride back"
"Thank your said Kent, grateful
ly.
And the girl, touching the pony
with her whip drove on.
'She ut least is honest and sincere"
mused Kent, leaning ON the bridge
rail and gazing into the water. "Shc
always was straightforward and out
spoken, and she's grown to be very
beautlfal woman"
There was school of little fish Just
under the edge of the bridge, and he
amused himself by watching their
playful gambols, until the pony came
trotting back.
Then he clambcred in beside the
girl, and, under the influence of her
CHEEKY manner, his face frightened,
and he talked freely about himself and
his adventures.
81 suppose Hill Farm is still owned
by my cousln?' he asked.
Yes, Nick Warner is still master,
and as mean as ever. He's getting
richer every day, what with the farm.
and the factory, and the orchard. But
he gets no pleasure out of his money,
and works every day like a slave.
He's cutting down all the woodland,
and this morning gave orders that the
big elm that overhangs the eastern
corner of the house be felled."
''That's Il pity!'' said Kent. 'sIt
was my uncles tavoritc tree. My great
great grandfather, who was an officer
in Washington's army, planted it. /
have heard the story often. One day
he entertained the Father of his
Country and some officers in the old
manson. They lode over from the
headquarters of the Continental army,
which was then at Danvers. General
Washington's riding whip was small
elm branch. When he started to 60
buck, my great great grandfather
noticed it and presented the General
with his own riding whip. In re-
membrance of the Father of his Coun n
try, he planted the elm branch and it
grew to be Il great tree. | would have
valued it, but my Cousin Warner is
not man Of poetic temperament,
and would very quickly sacrifice q
family relic, if it added to his rev.
enues.
These reflections led Kent into a
reminiscent vein, and he regaled his
fair listener with stores aud quaint
anecdotes OF his ancestors, who had
been among the first settlers and had
been prominent men in the infant
colony.
''if your uncle had only made an
other will before he died, as cverv-
body believed he intended to do" said
the girl, when he finished, s'you
would have been master at Hill
Farm
EYES," he answered, with a Sigh of
regret, and rclapsed into silence.
When the pony turned into the
well remembered carriage road which
led by the graveyard where lay the
bones of his ancestors for many gen.
erations, and finally mounted the lit
tie hill, on whose brow the tenant
house was built. Ella Osborne uoticed
that there were tears in her compan-
ions eyes and her hand touched his
with womanly sympathy.
81 am sorry, john" she said, "that
it makes You feel so bad"
Il am all right now," he answered.
bravely dashing away the tears; and
jumping from the wagon, walked
through the neglected grounds to the
| great elm tree, at whose base two
sturdy woodmen were ind ustr1ously
chopping.
He watched them awhile with misty
eyes, and was about turning away
when an exclamation from one of the
choppers caught his ear, and caused
him to approach nearer.
Il swan, Jim!'' said the man to his
companion; "wc'ye had our labor for
our pains. The old tree is only shell,
and it is fit for nothing put stove
| wood