The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-08-01
CATCHING BUTTERFLIES.
His Latest Specimen the Rarest
and Most Valued of ALL

'Is this the stage for Fords Mills?"
said bright daintily-appareled young
girl to a 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 Saml GARDENERS
questions, Bessie" her father had said
to her. You must bear in mind that
he is not q hireling hackman, but 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 neighbor-
hood"
"Got folks there%" queried Gardner
MY father has cousins there, one of
whom am going to visit"
''Sho now. Never ben there before,
know. l never furgit any poorly 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 wilder? Course do.
But thought l knew all his kin folk.
Whose girl be you, anyway"
Not Wilson Ford; father cautioned
me not to let you make a mistake.
mean Mrs. William Ford"
II see! Hammer, Bills wilder; her
tibet was a 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! I wonder
Hammer didn't tell me she was expectin'
company; they mostly do, SO l kin keep
an eye out fur 'em. Well, you go an
set in the depot, an I'll call you when
70 =. cho1 cat fl,o
front seat, an I'll tell you about a
prank that father O yourn played on me
onct. He was a master hand to train!
Chuck full O. the old Nick! Mis- Wilson
Ford-her tibet wuz Carline Oakes-was
some expectin' one O. her nieces from
Hol'will, an 1 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 Saml Gardeners 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 a luxuriant
orchard. The person to whom he spoke
was just leaving the house; in one hand
she carried 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
come; but she was sent for, sudden, q
go an see Mis- Snow; her little boys
G-dyil'."