Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

and helping them over the SIueS-
:. You're welcome, Miss Rosy" he ex.
claimed. MY womankind feared that
all the fine doings in Albany would spoil
your taste for our country frolics.
You shall see," said Rose.
"Weel, my bonnie young Teddy, there's
a lad coming tonight that will be worth
your smiles. But you have not told who
is your friend here?' as they passed the
sitting-room of the great ball, devoted to
the use of the "womankind."
You do not know Nelly Ramsey?
asked Rose. with some surprise.
"Eh what and how did you get her
here?"
R. SEES answer was lost to Nelly, who
was seized upon by Mrs. Robinson and her
daughter-pretty brown-eyed Phebe-and
kissed and welcomed with ali earnest sin
cerity that proved how glad were those
who knew her to see her sharing in the
gaveties suited to her youth. Rose soon
fiuttered away, but Mrs. Robinson was full
of kindly talk, and when Phoebe took her
hand and drew her into the long room il
was rapidly filling.
There were plenty of huge branches OF
pine and cedar ranged along the walls, in a
hasty attempt at decoration and the
warmth of the logs burning cheerily in the
great fireplace diffused their resinous fra
GRANGE about-a Christmas odor which
would have sorely offended the nostrils OF
Duncan Ramsey, but which was hailed
with pleasure by his unregenerate little
daughter Looking out from her nook in
the shadow of the pines, she thought she
had never seen anything so delightful. She
watched the arrivals, many of whom were
known to her. A goodly proportion were
Young and fair. and all were fresh and
wholesome to see as they came in glowing
from the frosty air.
Uncle Ben's invitation had been to all
Plump matrons, and matrons thin and
care-lined. came leading in round-eyed
little bows and girls. There was a good
sprinkl;ng of lads and lassies, most OF them
| looking very conscious of themselves and
their best clothes. All looked toward
the green powered alcove, where, raised a
| little above the crowd, sat Ralph McGregor
with his bagpipes, and Davie Doons, the
| fiddler. holding ready against his breast the
worn and battered old fiddle, which was the
soul of all the country frolics far and near
Dayie was worn little man, IN worn
brown coat. Altogether, man and hddie
had a curious resemblance-an ar Oh oelle
one and inseparable.
Nothing ever could induce Ralph Nc
| Gregor to assume the fine clothes worn by
his brother on all festive occasions. He
wore the "hoddan gray of the period
with care and neatness that suggested
feminine supervision. Miss Rose smiled
on him approvingly from the opposite side
of the room, where she was chatting gra-
ciously with tall young man, who seemed
much troubled in the possession OF pan
of very large red hands, and unable to find
place for them.
All were now ready and impatient fol-
the music, but Uncle Ben Robinson seemed
to be waiting for some one. He passed up
and down the hall, with a kind word foI
each of his neighbors. His fine bald head
and fresh, pink-tinted complexion gave
him an odd resemblance to a good-tem-
pered, over grown baby; and this guileless
and sweet exterior was the outward SEM
blance of the real man, so well and widely
known at the period of our history. (Sods
of the valley that he loved lie lightly over
him y
Davie Doons tuned his fiddle, and Ralph
looked uneasily at his bagpipes, when there
came the echo of many footsteps over the
frozen ground, and in marched a group
of men. They were strangers to most OF
the company, and all were young, vigorous
and hardy.
BY the time that Uncle Ben had shaken
the hand of each. and they were relieved OF
fur cap and muffler-few of them wore any
other wrap-the whisper passed about that
these were the Geddes woodchoppers-
strangers TO all, but remembered by the
hospitable heart of Uncle Ben They
stood in a group before the great fire, no.
ticed by all Nelly observed them from her
corner with quiet interest. There were tall,
dark-men, and fair, short ones; some stout
and stolid some slender, alert and bright
eyed. But her eyes rested longest on the
figure of one who seemed to be the leader
and spokesman of the party. She named
him (mentally) 1.-The King of the Wood
choppers" He was of kingly proportions,
full half head taller than the tallest OF
his fellows, with crisp dark hair waving
about a firm, square forehead. Eyes of deep
blue, with long curled lashes; fair skin,
much Drowned with sun and winds, and
an expression of blended self-reliance and
easy, good humor, which, when united in
one individual, is a potent winner of
hearts-a nameless grace and fascination
which in character is as real, yet as intan-
gible, as light and perfume. Nelly had but
little time then to observe him, for Uncle
Ben had taken possession of him, and talk
ing all the while with eager cordially, led
him at once to Miss McGregor.
This is Archer Glendinning, the son of
au old friend, Miss Rosy" he said. He
has lately come to seek his fortune here
abouts. You must try and make him for
get the hills of Edinboro', for tonight. l
fear he has had wee taste O home-sick-
ness in this strange land, before he found
me out"
Rose smiled and frankly held out her
hand. The stranger took it with the firm
clasp of one who holds what he takes, and
bowed over it with an easy grace which
of a cd
chcpping.
% | can never forget Edinboro'," he said.
with voice more sweet and finely-modu-
lated than his strong features and manly
form warranted, " but in your company
will learn to love this new country, in
which l am indeed stranger"
Surprised and pleased by his ready
courtesy, Rose made gracious reply; and
they were fast drifting into conversation
when-with the usual prelude of groan, a
squeak, a clash and a splutter-Ralph
started the bagpipes with The Campbells
Are COMM"
The first sound of the national instru-
ment was like an electric shock to all pres
ent. From the white-haired grandsire to
the least fodder, all sprang to their feet,
the toughest faces TRANSPORTED with delight.
During this prelude a space was cleared
was greatly assisted in this work by young
man who, in his zeal, seemed to be every
where at once. He was small and slight,
with brown eyes, which seemed ever brim-
ming over with fun. By common consent
he was known as "Roguish Robin" and
the name fitted the possessor, as popular
names usually do. The brown eyes had
soon spied out little Nelly, much to her
alarm. as she was in some awe OF her old
playfellow and torment at school, But
roguish Bob was as kind as he was mis-
chievous, and she was soon at her ease with
him. He pointed out to her the people she
did not know, with running fire of de-
scription and comment, more amusing than
flattering TO the persons described.
AT last, with drone like humble bees in
July clover, the bagpipes ceased Dayie
Doons' fiddle twanged sharp and clear, and
his voice in high pitch commanded the
lads to take the lassies to their places
There was little space for wallflowers All
lookers-on and small fry were hustled of
to the sitting-room and kitchen, where they
hung like bees about the doors, watching
the dancers. Nelly had started with the
iirst order to move, but roguish Robin saw
and detained her
Not gong. Nelly? Surely you will
dance with me ?'
Gamma, Rob; never even saw dance