Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-11-03
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
1t Is Full Of Surprises and Much
Happiness for Several Lives.

~ 40 ull VI ouTpTlSeS ana MUCH
Happiness for Several Lives.
Some years since, in a pretty hamlet
in the Isle of Wight, stood a cottage
simple in structure, but charming to
the tourist from its quaint, old-fash-
Toned style of architecture Gf so
dignitied a term may be applied to
such an humble building.) Nature,
also. had outdone herself in the gorge
Il beauty OF the flowers which
seemed to spring up spontaneously
everywhere. The passion-vine twined
its dark leaves along the wayside
hedges, and daily opened its wonder
full, intricate petalled blossoms at its
" graceful will, and the fuchsia
hung out its sprays of grace
full bells in such bountiful
p%rofusion that the village children's
chubby hands were as familiar to them
in culling their rustic garlands, as are
the sweet-scented clover and oX-eyed
daisy to our own rosy darlings in their
native American fields and wood-lots.
The diamond-shaped isinglass panes,
which answered to the purpose of
glass in the one window that looked
out from beside the rustic porch, were
fitted into a movable frame that would
open outward when-as at the present
tlme-more air was required within
the cottage. Near it, upon a bench, in
the cross-legged fashion dear to tailors
from time immemorial, was seated a
pleasant-faced old man, humming a
merry tune as he stitched away at a
costume to be worn by the great man
OF the village at an approaching tcte.
His wife was also lending a helping
hand, as the time for preparation was
growing short. Ever and anon, as the
old couple worked, their eyes would
follow for a moment the movements of
their child Freda, the only youthful
creature either within or without the
place.
1t seemed to be a restful sight to the
affectionate eyes that followed Freda's
graceful motions, as she fitted about
preparing the simple midday meal.
As n looked at the girl and then
at the aged cottagers, the wonder con-
tinued to grow from whence she could
have inherited her marvellous beauty.
Her dull-blue cotton gown would have
married the effect of a less delicate
complexion, but it seem instead to
bring out more wildly the soft,
creamy tints of Freda's skin, touched
upon cheeks and lips with carmine of
Natures own ~conjuring. Her hair,
tied with its maiden snood of blue
ribbon, hung in soft, shining waves
almost to her feet, and was of that
peculiar brownish tint which turns TO
molten gold in the sun. Straight.
dark eyebrows arched over large
PUZZLED eyes, whose blue looked al
most black in the shadow of their
heavily-fringcd lids.
But what means this gay party of
horsemen who are dashing through
the usually quiet place? Freda runs
to the door, and stands looking out,
shading her eyes with one hand, to
catch a more distinct view of the cara
coling horses and their riders. Then
she shrinks back in confusion, for they
have refined up at the gate, and one,
evidently the leader from the extra
richness of his blue and silver uni
form, is dismounting. The next mo-
ment he enters the cottage and doffs
his plumed hat as respectfully to the
humble dame who had come forward
to learn his wishes, as though she had
been his liege lady.
"My good woman, can you give us
something with which to satisfy our
hunger and thirstP There seems to
be a sad lack OF inn-accommodation in
your village, and we are in need of
rest and food"
Dame Brandon dropped a courtesy
as she said, deprecatingly:
''My lord, we have naught but the
simplest fare; but if you see fit to ride
a short two miles farther you will find
a house of entertainment fit for the
noblest in the land"
As the young officer listened, his
eyes turned with an expression of i'll
concealed surprise and admiration
toward Freda's downcast face; then he
answered:
at is my fancy to be served here.
] care not what the food may be, SO
that there is no lack in quantity. A
glass of milk and a porringer of oat-
meal for each will suffice, if you have
nothing better"
''As you please, my lord" said the
dame, with a smile. "but | can find the
wherewithal to FIJI a hungry mans
stomach with viands a trile more sub
stantial than babies food. Run, Freda,
and bring me the fitch Of bacon.
While ] cut the slices, you can gather
the new-laid eggs"
Well pleased at his success, the
young officer went out and gave direc-
tions TO have the horses billeted
under some huge elms, which cast a
friendly shadow upon the greensward
q few hundred feet distant, while the
gay party who accompanied him should
themselves with friendly chat
and repartee, until the repast was
The picturesque group formed
BY the handsome young gentlemen,
out in their full dress uniforms
blue cloth and silver lace, often
drew freda's eyes Involuntary from