Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-24
WHAT CAME OF IT.

the neignbors said it was. when it be-
came noised about that Belle Outhet
was going to Boston.
The Outlets lived on what is known
the country round as the Back road,
but which is entitled To be called North
Kingston. 1t lies along the foot Noun
tains, in the beautiful Annapolis Valley,
a mile or so back of the post road, over
which the coaches rumbling along with
their mail-bags and passengers before
the day of railroads. Bellies great
grandfather was an English Squire, who
in his day owned half the country round
about. but much of the land had never
been improved, and the estate had
dwlndled in value, until, in Bellies
time. only the Outhet pride and "A good
for-little farm remained to the family.
AT Acadia seminary, where Belle
was sent to school when she was old
enough To be sent away from home,
she was IN the midst of the poetic
Evangeline land. Ii would have
seemed natural enough if she would
have fallen 10 dreaming under the
spirit of quiet that pervades the place,
ing stories out of the legends with
which the country teens. But she did
none of these. II was not, however,
until after graduation day, with its
shower of congratulations showers
that never dampen the spirits OF grad
yates or guestS-had come and gone
and Belle was at home again, that the
plans that she had been brewing for
the future came To light. They were
far from being dreamlike or legendary
in character
II hear the 'Squirc's daughters goin'
TO Boston to study at tn Instoot Of
Tecnolagy, whatever that is" said
Farmer Harris to his wife. shortly aft
erward. This was more than equiva-
lent to putting it m the Weekly Cos
siper, because Mrs. Harris made seven
visits 10 the Gossiper's one
The gossips said: at does beat all
how people that hevn't an extra sheep
in their fields kin spend so much on
education, now don't it?n And they
confessed to each other that they
"shud think Belle Outhot'd been 10
school long 'nough."
The Squire was. perhaps. no less
astonished than some Of the wives and
maideus in the village when his
daughter made known her desire TO go
on studying, with view to fitting her
self TO take up some one OF the sciences
professionally He was surely good
deal more perplexed. At first there
seemed nothing but objections To the
scheme. For one thing, he did not
see his way clear TO atfording the cost
OF lessons and living in big city, and
even il he could, what good would
scientific studies ever do Belle. he
reasoned. Perhaps good old Deacon
Pierce, Bellies godfather. and the
'Squire's counselor upon every
occasion, talked him over. AT any rate
the doctor thought Bellies idea
brilliant one, and said if she could
make herself proficient in sanitary
science, for example, she could revolt
utionize the country. And very likely
the 'Squire's naturally generous heart
prompted him TO make an extra effort;
ut least, it was soon settled that Belle
was TO 60 10 Boston TO study for some
thing-nobody seemed TO know just
what, but something wonderful, no
doubt. as she was going 10 that remark
able place.
The day came when she had to say
goodby TO father and mother. and 10 her
brothers Ernest and Tremaine, who
were still mere children. to friends and
10 her dear old home, TO the valley and
TO the mountains. The good wishes Of
the crowd gathered about the ugly
wooden box that did duty as a station.
Widow Mills nearly lost her bonnet
through the car-window in saying:
1.-The Lord love you. Miss Bell, and
don't you learn so much you'll forget
your old friends, now will you,
dearie?n
Through letters to the Woman's Ex-
change. the Squire had secured home
for Belle, anda bachelor uncle in New
York promised TO meet her when she
got 10 Boston, TO see her safely settled.
and TO visit her from time TO time. But
the best laid plans gang aft aglee," in
all truth. Illness kept Uncle Outhet in
New York. and when Bell arrived at
her journeys end there was no one 10
meet her. To make matters worse. the
steamer. in which the last part OF the
voyage had been made, was late get
ling into the harbor, and when the