The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-04-12

lilCy WSiC e'iiliiiliS tiS aiflthaiJ 4tloo
Scamper, in neat riding habit made
her appearance. The groom took off
his hat. Dldymus, not little astonish-
ed, put forth his hand and the lady
vaulted TO the back of the horse with
easy grace. The cavalcade set out,
Miss Scamper and Didyinus together,
and being better mounted than the
others, were soon at the head OF the
column.
About mile from the springs there
was a bar in the way. A lofty tulip
tree had been blown down during the
night and had fallen across the road,
the trunk well up on account of the
wide roots. Some one had already
cleared way by letting down fences
on the road side; but Miss Scamper
did not 60 around with the rest. She
faced the trunk, the horse went over
and then trotted on. Didymus faced
it too. His brute got over, but half
stumbled. Didymus was countrv-bred
had ridden horses to mill barebacked,
and was half centaur when boy; so
he brought his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and
grace with which Miss Scamper man
aged her horse, and Dldymus more
than everybody.
When they arrived at their destlna.
ton, the party dispersed in the house
and over the grounds. They found old
Scamper there. He had gone before
in a carryall. Aimont was the property
OF Colonel Almont, and was for sale,
with its fine blooded stock of horses
and cattle, its furniture, its library, and
everything in the house and around it.
The Colonel and his family were in
Europe, and intended to stay there
while he educated his sons at Heidel-
berg. So he offered the whole-a house
that cost hundred and thirty thous-
and dollars, with all its offices of all
kinds, stables, palmery, grapery, green
houses, furniture made to order, and
over twelve hundred acres of land in a
high state OF cultlvation-"for," as he
said in his letter, ga mere song" So
it was; but as it was to the tune of
three hundred thousand dollars, there
were few who could render the music.
They all admired the place. The
agent, who was there, seized on the
Scampers and Didymus, to whom he
showed everything and explained every
thing. Didymus was amused at this,
and whispered to Miss Scamper, "He
has picked out tn: only three who
could certainly not buy it," Miss
Scamper, by the twinkle of her eyes,
evidently appreciated the fun of the
situation. Then the agent seized old
Scamper, and dragged him off to look
at the blood horses and imported Cat
tie, leaving Didymus and the girl to-
gether.
"1ow do you like the place, Mr..
Dodd2" inquired she.
"Like 1t, Miss Scamper? Why, it is
garden OF Eden that is, it would be
so to me, if had 1t with an Eve in it. )"
The young lady smiled, and said,
"You like country like, then, Mr..
Doddp"
"Natu1 ally" replied Dldymus. 81
lived In the country until was twenty
two. | was born and bred there |
should have been there yet but for the
death of both of my parents. | went
to the city in search of fortune. have
done well for the last eleven years, and
have put little by but to covet a
place like this is wishing for the moon"
"1'he country IS the place to live II,
and the city to work ln," she replied
sententIouSly.
"To live in, grant you, if you have
the means-a good farm and money to
work it. Otherwise you toll harder in
the country than in town, with less
profit"
Then they discoursed on rural topics
with marvellous unity of sentiment,
until the venerable Scamper and the
agent got back, which was at the time
the whole party, each with a nosegay
furnished by the gardener from the
greenhouses, was ready for return to
the Springs.
There were yet but two days of the
young mans vacation left, when ne de,
termined to place his fate at Miss
Scamper's disposal at the first oppor-
tunity. The chance came that very
night. That evening a number were
seated on the verandah, erjoying the
moonlight. Miss Scamper sat apart
from the rest, in heavy shadow, with
her grandfather. The old gentleman
rose when Dodd came, and left. Miss
Scamper made room for Didymus at
her side. and the two began to talk OF
the days doings.
"By-tne- bye" said Didymus, shave
you heard that Almont has been sold ?"
Eyes"
And TO the great heuess, Miss Boil
sover. wonder if she will keep old
maids hall there 2''
Miss Scamper laughed low, silvery
laugh. 81 presume she will" she SAID,