Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 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-bound 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.
"Yes, 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 Fords 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 Gardner's
questions, Bessie" her father had said
to her. "You must bear in mind that
he is not hireling hackman, but
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 neigh 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,
lknow. 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 Ford's widder? Course do.
But thought knew all his kin folk.
Whose girl be you, anyway"
Not wilson Ford; father cautioned
me not to let you make mistake.
mean Mrs. William Ford"
II see! Hammer, Bill's wilder; 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.
"Sho now! Is Henry's gals growed up
SO big? How time docs fly! / wonder
Hammer didn't tell me she was expectin'
company; 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
It's time to start; you shall set on the
front seat, an I'll tell you about a
prank that father O. yourn played on me
onct He was master hand to train!
Chuck full O. the old Nick! Mis- Wilson
Ford-her thet wuz Carline Oakes-was
some expectin' one o. her nieces from
Hol'will, an must go and see if she's
anywhere round"
Evidently the niece from Hallowell
had postponed her visit, for there were
but three other passengers, elderly
women, in Sam'l Gardner's stage, and
they got out at farm-houses long before
Ford's Mills was reached.
SIS Mis- Ford to home?" said the
driver as the stage stopped at trim
little house in the middle of a luxurjant
orchard. The person to whom he spoke
was just leaving the house; in one hand
sho carried little basket, and in the
other tin pail.
mo, she hain't. She was 1ottin' on
goin' down to Eddin'ton with you, this
afternoon, providin' her company hedn't
come; but she was sent for, sudden, 20
go an see Mis Snow; her little boys
s-dyil."