The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-10-25

gfatulafionS
The ne II morning he went back to
work on tie ditch. and il his compan-
ions were ready witt their Jokes. he was
In far too good humor with tn, world
and all things in it to be blended at
what he knew was kindly meant.
For months he worked early and late
oil the ten. and when it hal been
completed. and the water. in its slow
seeping through the soil. had rendered
it capable Of sustaining vegetable life.
he began planting trees and vine. and
breaking the soil for future crops. When
! the year closed he found his place be
ginning 10 look quite like living.
He had intended going again to visit
Lucy and her parents al this time, but
his place still lacked dwelling. and
:he little it would cost TO make the jour
ney would aid just that much towards
buying the material towards the cottage
which he had planned, and he finally
] decided not 10 90. but instead to take
his team and work month for the
! ranchcr who had pasturcd his colt dur
/ ing two dry seasons: and thus. instead
Of spending what lite he had. obtain
enough more to enable him 10 get tie
W VIII.
When this was done he procured the
assistance of neighbor who had few
carpenters tools and some knowledge
of the trade. and together they framed
and sided up the cottage
Then he worked ut night 10 finish il.
Often when thus engaged. after .
hard day = work in the field. would he
take from his pocket ono OF Lucy's
letters, and sitting upon the work
bench or a saw-hor-e rc.read the lines
he already knew by heart, or lose HIM
self in dreams which those lines gave
rise TO: then. rousing himself take up
his tools and work far into the night.
that the cottage might be the sooner
completed and the face and form which
he now saw only in dreams be ever
present with him in reality.
At last the cottage was finished and
ready for occupancy.
| A plain cottage it was: not unlike the
one on the mountain side. only little
longer. and wider, and higher.
There were two rooms below and
one above, AMI there was little porch
over the front door-not long or broad,
but sufficient TO shade the room from
the sun little and give relief from the
bare and inhospitable look which
Il dwelling without any projection
always has.
He meant TO add larger structure in
front in few years. when his ranch
should be fully irrigated and in cul iva
ton. and so reproduce the cottage in
the foot hills in accordance with the
plans he had laid the night he slept
/ Il, lnc s,Sn1 IN
visit the I me he won Lucy's consent to
be his wife; but for this he must wait
yet awhile.
And 50. with heart filled with hope
and courage. and running over with
affection for her who was to return with
him as his bride, he took long look
about the cottage. and going out, care
fully closed TIE door behind him that it
might not become unfastened during
his absence.
Standing in front Of his cottage. he
east his eyes over his ranch with feel
ing Of pride and satisfaction.
That which three years before had
been bit of desert was now farm,
with All orchard and vineyard and fer
I le feds. none o; them very large, I is
true. but every hing there was the work
of hi, own ha d.. the result of his own
energy and economy, and It was some
tn. ny OF which he might well be proud.
When he had taken it all in the cot
tage and the green fields and the young
orchard and v;Heyard-as q picture
VIII ch he could hold in his memory un-
til he returned aud could describe to
Lucy and Uncle John and Aunt Martha
and Johnny. he turned and walked rap
idly away in the direction of Mr. john
sons.
He was to start early the next morn
ing, and was 10 DIR We his own team;
the colts now fully grown and hardened
to work.
He had decided upon this after con-
ferring b, letter with Lucy and her par
ents.
Mr. and Mrs Parsons des red to give
as much as poss bic OF the furniture
necessary 10 start the young folks in
housekeeping. and they could do this
to some extent out OF what still re-
mainei of that rought from the old
home in the foot hills, and it was Just
as cheap and GOOD deal n Ice. these
lovers thought, to make the Journey this
way, in the own conveyance, with
their household goods packed in the
wagon, than to first transport them fif.
teen M les to Phippsburg ship them
by boat and cars. and then 90 . long
distance after them at the other end d
the route.
Besides. in thus going acro,s tht
country they would have q whole wees
10 spend in each others company; il
which to talk Of Their love and lay plan
for the future.
1t would be almost as good as rea
i, wedding tour. Lucy decided.
And so one afternoon the jewellers OF
the mountain side saw wagon draw
. by par of bay horses, whose drive
was dust covered young man with
sun tanned face and sandy mustache
wearing wide-Irimmed straw hat
com ng up the by-road which ended a
:. their gait. and knew that the bride
groom had come to claim his bride.
The place had changed considerable,
since Erastus had seen it two years be
fore.
|. The addition to the shanty had beef
erected. and with the little porch il
front fairly raised it to the dignity Of ,
cottage.
The rose bushes when Lucy aud hel
mothe had p'antei had grown rs al
things do grow in that climate and soil
!, had clambered all over the porch an,
|, were in full bloom, having been wa
tered and te:ided by loving hands
, Back Of the cottage aud on eithe
side great hollyhock bushes, with pur
pie and white and yellow blossoms
, stood "thick rs reop.e in a street, an.
/ over the low windows, and rea"hin;
clear up to the caves. Madeira vine
mingled their soft, green leaves wit
: those OF the morning glories, that in tn
early hours of the day We're sprinkle
thick with beautiful. bcll-shaped flowers
= In front We're long beds Of pinss. an,
verbena an lar t-spurs, and great Grim
son-hearted dahlias, that lifted up thei
. faces aud bloomed and no ,ded in tn
n breeze; bent low as if to inhale the fra
GRANGE of the mignonette that locke,
~ Is L.