The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-01-23

fences on the roadside but Miss Scamper
did not go 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. Didy-
mus was country bred, had ridden horses
to mill barebacked, and was a half centaur
when a boy so he brought his h ,rse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approyingly.
Everybody admired the ease and grace
with which Miss Scamper managed her
horse, and Didymus more than everybody.
When they arrived at their destination,
the party dispersed in the house and over
the grounds. They found old Scamper
there. He had gone over before in a carry
all. Almont was the property of Colonel
Almont, and was for sale, with its fine
blooded stock of horses and cattle, its fur
n%iture, its library, and everything in the
house and around it. The Colonel and his
family We're in Europe, and intended to
stay there while he educated his sons at
Heidelberg. So he offered the whole-a
house that cost a hundred and thirty thous-
and dollars, with all its offices of all kinds,
stables, palmery, grapery and greenhouses,
furniture made to order, and over twelve
hundred acres of land i'll a 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
and explained everything. 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 inner eyes, ev-
identity appreciated the fun of the situation.
Then the agent seized old Scamper, and
dragged him off to look at the blood horses
and imported cattle, leaving Didymus and
the girl together.
GLOW do you like the place, Mr.. Dodd?'
inquired she.
Like it, Miss Scamper. Why, it is a
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, Mr.. Dodd %
Naturally" replied Didymus. 81
lived in the country until l was twenty-five.
I was born and bred there. | should have
been there yet but for the death of both
my parents. | went to the city in search
of fortune. have done very well for the
last seven years, and have put a little by
but to covet a place like this is like wish
ing for the MOON
siThe country is the place to live in, and
the city to work in said Miss Scamper,
sententiously.
'"To live in, | grant you, if you have the
means-a good farm and money to work it.
Otherwise you toll harder in the country
than in town, with less comfort and less
profit
Then theydiscoursed ON rural topics, with
a 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 gar
I'll tIC SiOSIiiiCb'tH. hR' tS'A v
a return to the Springs.
There were yet two days for the young
mans vacation left, when he determined to
place his fate at Miss Scamper's disposal at
the first opportunity. The chance came
that very night. That evening a number
were seated on the veranda enjoying the
moonlight. Miss Scamper sat apart from
the rest, in heavy shadow, with her grand
father. The old gentleman rose when
Dood came, and left. Miss Scamper made
room for Didymus at her side, and the two
began to talk of the days doings.
"By-the-by," said Didymus, ''have
YOU heard that Almont has been sold ~
.Yes.''
".And to the great heiress. Miss Boil
sover. | wonder if she will keep old
maids hall there ?"
Miss Scamper laughed a low. silvery
laugh. Il presume she WILL she said,
''unless she nance to marry. Wasn't
that a sad accident at the mill to day
every. The man has a wife and five
children. | went over to see how they
were-to see if they were in present need,
you know; but that part is all right. This
Miss Bolsover, who must be staying ONE
where near, has been there, and provided
for all their wants. suppose, as she has
bought Almont, she means to play the
Lady Bountiful here, which is all the
better for Micky and his family"
Il believe, Mr.. Dodd," said the lady,
that you play the part of Lord Bountiful
sometimes, especially if some poor woman
left with five children should rouse your
sympathies.
GLOW did you know ?" he said.
ga little bird told me- she said. "You
not only paid Mrs. Grants rent, but got
her eldest boy employment, and then fairly
ran away to avoid her thanks. She was
full of your praises"
but she didn' know my name" said
Didymus.
ssTrue. But you don't remember that
a yelled lady sat there the last time you
: came? That was l.. | was in Philadel-
phia on a visit, and looked up Mrs. Grant,
- ii -. . $3.50, i, n,,r f,p,fIx ha