The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-06-25

Its quite likely, Sno returned, LnaC
one who is as noble, both physically and
mentally, as Alfred, will have a heart that
is all right, my dear" =,
"But then you know, Maud" said
| Lettie, the heart is the principal thing,
after all. He would better lack every
| thing else than that"
Maud made no answer, but burst into
a little silvery peal of laughter, at length
stopping short to look through the fence
into the ~barnyard where James, the
"hired man." was chasing a nimble calf
back and forth, and round and round, IN
a vain effort to catch the rebellous little
animal.
doesn't he make a pretty clown p
observed Maud, still convulsed with
laughter. "Those awkward stumbles
would grace a ballroom beyond descrip-
ton. There, the calf is caught at last!
But it doesn't add anything to the move
ments of the man to be pulled about in
that way. Really, this is too ridiculous
to see a grown man making such a picture
of himself"
She failed to observe that Lettie did
not laugh, nor that she o afterward
said she must 60 back to the house and
get the pans ready for the understanding
and attend to the preparation of dinner a
little.
But Maud was not in a mood to be left
alone in the parlor where Lettie requested
her to wait until the work was finished,
but followed her friend into the cool,
sweet dairy, where Lettie was getting
the pans ready to receive the warm new
milk.
"My DEAR" she said at last, after ask
ing numerous questions about the process
of butter-making, "this is not your proper
place. You have no society here, no
friends who can really be companions to
you, no proper occupation. Your father
and mother certainly may like to remain
on a farm like this and can find here work
suited to their taste, since their aspirations
of course must be very different from
yours. But you, Lettie, you are so young
with all of life before you; it is too bad
to waste your opportunities by living
here"
ooh, no., Maud; don't say that" re-
piled Lettie, as she set the pans out On
the long table in the dairy. II have
been away and have had opportunities,
but I always felt more contented here at
home on the farm, where everything is
homelike and peaceful. I think perhaps
some farmers daughters make the best
farmers wives. Some one has to marry
a farmer" added Lettie, with a twinkling
light in her soft blue eyes as she glanced
toward her companion.
"The ideal" replied Maud, sarcastically.
"Your tastes need cultivation very
much"
But further discussion of this import
ant matter was interrupted by a quick,
firm footstep just outside the dairy and
the cherry voice of the hired man calling
iocundly, "Here I come, Lettie. Are you
ready ?"
GAIL ready" answered Lettie, opening
the door to admit James with his foam
ing pals of rich new milk. Maud noticed
how gracefully Lettie stood holding the
ST. amer while the milk poured into the
shining pans, how her cheek glowed with
a warm, rosy light, and how lovely and
sweet seemed the expression Of her face.
life on a farm" thought Maud as she
looked. "But then she certainly looks
much prettier here at home doing her
work around these rural scenes in those
soft, light, careless dresses, than she ever
did at school,"
How many pans are you going to
skim in the morning, Lettie ?" asked
James when the straining was over.
CAN those" answered Lettie, pointing
to a row of shelves extending along the
room.
"An right. I'll be around to empty
the pans. What time ?"
"Before sunrise
"Ah! 1 see," he exclaimed, rather sur
prised, but giving a quick glance toward
Maud. give picked all the strawberries
for tomorrow. They are in the cellar
where they will keep cool and fresh. So
you won't have to do that"
"Thank you," said Lettie, blushing
brighter than ever, while James hurried
away and disappeared in the twilight of
the garden.
That evening when the two girls were
alone in their room, sitting on the low
white-covered bed. Lettie told Maud a
wonderful secret.
81 know you will be shocked, Maud"
said Lettie. "But the plain, u~nvarnished
truth is thiS-I am going to marry James,
our hired man, whom you laughed at
when he struggled with the calves in the
NOAAJ "AN1 ONN liz III luO Od1IH ILLS
evening"
"Lettie!" cried Maud in dismay.
cit is true" answered Lettie, bravely.
"He is q noble fellow at heart, if he is a
farmer. Papa thinks everything of James,
and couldn't possibly do without him.
But perhaps he may have to some time"
she added, thinking of the future. "He
is IA of a large family, so his work is
not needed at home, but he is very indus
trious and ambitious if he does hire out"
We will not record the conversation
that followed, in which Maud tried to
show Lettie her grave mistake in being
content with a rural Life, and in giving up
the advantages the world could offer to
one So pretty and bright as she. But it
was in vain, though Lettie's usually peace
full slumber was rather disturbed that
night in consequence of Maud's position.
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