Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-01-23
THE COUNTRY GIRL.
by FLORENCE JOsHEPHINE BOYCE.

the breakfast table partially buried In
the mail which had been left for me
during my week absence from home.
l am unable to form in words the month
of utmost pleasure that that short mes
sage disclosed to me- At last, l was to
enjoy my much needed vacation, and
rove DER the green hills and pleasant
valleys of my dear old aunt's country
home; and, more than all the rest, my
idolized pippins were awaiting my ar:
rival, their great golden sides pulled
with anxiety, as they swayed to and
fro on their graceful branches, and
peered from beneath their green foil
age OF course this was most non
sensical idea, but lawyers are all given
to nonsense, more or less, and l suppose
might rs well claim my share. Hav-
ing dispatched word to my aunt, NAM
ing the time of my arrival, l proceeded,
with my mothers precious assistance, to
pack few articles and jump on board
the north bound train. In a few mo-
ments was swiftly passing over the
road toward the destination l hoped to
reach in time to view the setting sun
furnishing the mountain tops with
crimson and gold. At last Glover Dale
was announced, and the train slacken-
ing its speed, came to standsti!l.
1t was not long ere L found Aunt
Jerry-as nearly all who knew the dear
old lady called her-and soon We were
on our way to the picturesque old farm
house where 1 had enjoyed so many
pleasant summer days. For two long
years had not visited my aunt, yet the
dear old soul was not the least changed
in personal appearance, for the self
same black lace cap rested tenderly on
her head, the precious gold-bowed spec
tacles chung tightly to the silver streaked
hair, and the collar and cuffs were the
very same-not to be outrivaled in their
glossy Wilderness. We reached the farm
house, and great was my surprise to
find the table spread in most tempting
manner. Not wrinkle lay in the white
linen, not piece of the rare old china
was misplaced, and, surrounded by
delicate cake, cookies, warm biscuits
and maple honey, sat my favorite dish
of golden pippins, few green leaves
and neat vase of country flowers add
ing beauty to the tempting lunch.
"Why, aunt" l exclaimed, Il was
not aware you had at last decided upon
help! you did not tell me"
20 no, my dear, you don't under
stand. I've not decided upon help, for
girls are so slovenly, that isl mean
girls whom one can hire; and 1 didn't
hardly know how to meet you and have
lunch ali ready, you know, SO I just
asked one of my neighbours girls to stay
here and prepare supper; so, you see.
you have a chance to partake of some
of our country girls cooking"
Now, Aunt jerry" said I, 'this is
certainly delicious lunch, but can
not decide upon the country girl being
quite so delicious"
Hush, my dear" responded she,
holding up her finger in comical MINI
icry, you and don't agree on that !;
and, Harry Elmore, promise you this !:
that you are neither too good, nor yet
too wise, to keep from falling in love
with little May Martin, the belle of
Glover Dale"
@Ha, ha! it may be vice versa, aunt,
but if You have any matrimonial case in
mind, you may as we'll nip it in the
bud for rather than marry or even fall
in love with freckle-faced. barefoot,
hobbledehoy of country girl, would
crawl into balloon, take a good supply
of pippins and seek another climate"
We'll, well. Harry, you are terrible!
but remember, sir, what tell you.
You can't help it, and I'm sure don't
want you to, for May is such dear,
good little thing"
We'll, Aunt Jerry, I've enjoyed de-
icious meal-thanks to your favorite
country girl-and if you'll excuse me I'll
take stroll in the orchard"
20. certainly, certainly, my dear, and
I'll clear the dishes away and perhaps
Join you"
All right, do so!'
And 1 left Aunt Jerry in the pleasant
dining-room, and proceeded to take a
short stroll through the orchard, where
I finally paused under my favorite
apple tree. 1t was wonderfully warm
for that time of year, and Jack Frost
had been SO very accommodating as to
prolong his stay in lis frozen climate
and not even venture to touch tree or
flower at the dear old country home
The days passed SO pleasantly that
before realized it a week had slipped
BY, and my aunt and l were on our way
to the little old-fashioned church. 1t
was lovely Sabbath, and as We neared
the church, merry, children, bright
lads and lasses, and aged sires might be
seen vending their way toward the old
brown door.
"Now, Harry" said Aunt Jerry, with a
merry twinkle in her eyes, you must
not forget the sermon in watching little
May Martin"
Never fear, aunt, 1 don't know her
any way, and am not very sure that 1
want to-"
By this time We had reached the
church and were soon in aunt Jerry's
pew; and there, sure enough, sat Aunt's
particular fayorite-May Martin.
Reader, I always abhorred country
girls; I always thought them the per-
lection of audacity and bashful homeli-
ness, but when !. entered Aunt jerry
pew that Sabbath morning, my eye
rested on q more perfect vision of love-
illness than words can describe.
She looked up with bright smile to
aunt, and cast q quick glance at me,
but that one glance caused me to hest
tate and blush like a bashful school-boy
All, me! my aunt's advice was soreiy
needed, for when the sermon closed, I
must admit I could hardly have re-
peated the text. from which the good old
parson preached. As matter of course
I was introduced to Miss Martin, but
n return to my gallant courtesy all ]
received was-a cold little nod of her
beautiful head and she again resumed
her conversation with my aunt.
At the tea table Aunt Jerry and I
conversedo on various subjects of interest,
but the mention of May Martin was
carefully avoided.
As the following week drew near a
close received dispatch from home
saying I must return Immediately to at
tend to an urgent case of law. At din
ner that day Aunt Jerry carefully APP