The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-08-02
CATCHING BUTTERFLIES.
His Latest Specimen the Rarest
and Most Valued of All.

SIS this the stage for Ford's Mills?''
said a bright, daintily-appareled young
girl to farmer-like man who was idly
watching the passengers alighting from
the north-bo train.
The man moved his head, but not his
body. He was too comfortable, it
seemed, although the old leather
cushion of the stages front seat did not
look so very soft, and certainly the
hard, straight back would not have
tempted Sybarite.
Eyes, but it don't go there fur nigh
onto two hours: it waits fur the train up
from 'Gusty. Wuz you thinkin' o. goin
to Ford's Mills to-day?" he said, leis-
urely.
Bessie Meredith smiled as she replied
in the Affirmative. She had never Wis
tied Maine until to-day, but she felt as
if she had always known this stage
driver, Saml Gardner, for she had often
heard her father describe his leisurely
manner, his rustic appearance, and his
inquisitiveness.
Don't be offended at Sam'l GARDENERS
questions Bessie" her father had said
to her. "You must bear in mind that
"a
well-to-do and highly respected resi-
dent, who has driven the stage between
Eddington and Ford's Mills for thirty
years, and consequently knows and is
known by every one in the neighb bor-
hood"
Got folks there?" queried Gardner.
MY father has cousins there, one of
whom am going to visit"
''Sho now. Never ben there before,
Iknow. ! never furgit any pooty little
gal that goes in my stage, fur somehow
all the young creeturs takes to me.
Who did you say you was goin' to visit?"
Mrs. William Ford; you know her,
am sure"
''Wilson Fords widder? Course ! do.
But thought / knew all hfs kin folk.
Whose girl be you, anyway"
Not Wilson Ford; father cautioned
me not to let you make mistake. l
mean Mrs. William Ford"
II see! Hammer, Bills widder; her
thet was Meredith. Yes! yes! So
you're one of the Boston Merediths, eh?"
Yes, replied Bessie, laughing. II
am the daughter of Henry Meredith;
father said you'd remember him."
4'Sho now! Is Henry's gals growed up
so big? How time docs fly! ] wonder |
Hammer didn't tell me she was expectin |
they mostly do so kin keep
an eye out fur 'em. Well, you go an |
set in the depot, an I'll call you when |
its time to start; you shall set on the |
front seat, an I'll tell you about |
prank that father O. yourn played on me
snn f.t 10 IA nd fn trai in
Chuck full o. the old Nick! Mis- Wilson |
Ford-her thet wuz Carline Oakes-was
some expectin' one O. her nieces from |
Horwill an l must go and see if she's
anywhere round" .
Evidently the niece from Hallowell
mad postponed her visit, for there were
but three other passengers elderly
women, In Saml Gardner's stage, and
they got out at farm-houses long before
Ford's Mills was reached.
'Is Mis- Ford to home?" said the
driver, as the stage stopped at trim
little house in the middle of luxuriant
orchard. The person to whom he spoke
was just leaving the house; in one hand
she carried a little basket and in the
other tin pail.
mo, she hain't. She was 'lottin' on
goin' down to Eddin'ton with you, this
afternoon, providin' her company hedn't
.ome; bI. she was sent for sudden, to
go ala sDo Mis- Snow her little boys
i-dy!a'p
$50 Cap'n Snow told me as wuz goin'
Town the hill by the meetin' house. Is
Mis- Ford's door open?"
mo; but the key is under the step,
End you can just walk in an make your
self to home till Mis- Ford gifts back.
You'll find all the vittles in the butt'ry;
SO jest cook yourself up what you like"
said the neighbor to Bessie, and then
walked away. a
When Bessie was at last in the cozy
kitchen. out Of which the "butt'ry'
opened, she sat down in the patch-cush-
toned rocker, and laughed until the
tears came into her eyes.
This must be Arcadial Fancy a
stranger being set down at our front