Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-13

Jesse Stone could bU seen milking in the barn-lot, and the voice of Jossc's wife could be heard grooming n psalm tune as fare well to the Sabbath, while she placed the tubs ready for next days washing. Mrs. Stone kept holy day with Scotch Presby- terian rigor from five o'clock on Saturday evening until five o'clock on Sunday even ing; and if she attended night service this was frcC-wll offering to Heaven.
 The homes of Gurley's various neighbors appeared hero and there. and down wooded hills still sparlSed the college town steeples. Below, culture was life law. Up hill, amidst farms and scattered ool-houses, quite another class of people made another law unto themselves. As refinement and coarseness may dwell side by side in city, so had Greenshurg and the hills elbowcd each other several generations without per ceptibly acting on each other However solidly excellent those hill farmers might be, the college town despised thcir plane of living; while, on the opposite side, all tllt farmers voted against appropriations for the improvement of the town.
 Gurley took short cut across the upward slope of his meadow to spend an hour with ali old chum whose homestead lay on the border of tue hill region. He reached the muddy road, and a few turns brought him to the gate Which opened or Tom Holmes lawn. Poplars stalicd out with ttieir stiff DllkdTS tue Iatu tO inS nouSe' IL was u -taunch homestead. covered with knotty elbows of tae trumpet vln". The sitting room windows werG tiirk"ring with freight, and he as,cnded the wood,'l. steps at that side and confidently knocked.
 But two or three hnoc,la brought no re- sponse, and. after Waiting, GurIey opened the door and wont in
 The familiar room was n, a receptive at titude toward rh"ncc coIncrs; chairs stood
 
 ples and pile of plates and silver knives were on the round table Tho fireplace was piled high with bla Eiug sticks, The whole room so Sug gcstHel inv! ;iole pPesences that Gurley felt r0uVLnucA he shu uld find the family at home. If' throw the end of his cigar in the fire, anti-lavimg the free dom of the house at ul times opened anothcr door into the kitchen. It was still warm with suggestions of the past supper; kettle brCGtncd iu the dark The door closed behind him and hs IVas turning to open it for U retreat whCn arOd ot n9lit Op- posite and some subierlar"An voice calling made him venture ahead and lift a latch which gave entrance to the collar.
 ''It's Randy, of coui s.H said Gurley. "ls that you. Randy! Whnr" are all tho folks i'
 At tho foot of the slcirs was n girl looking up. She held Tom IIolnIes todllng child by one hand, and with tho other lifted candle over her head. She was very young, and had black hair curling away from au eager face. Her throat showed white above her black dress. even in shadow, and her sleeves were lUclved abov" elbows soft and round. \ large calico apron almost covered her.
 The two looked steadily at each other u moment, he at the top she it the foot of the stairs. Being Il stranger, Gurlcy detected at once the sorruwful curve of mouth which she would have concealed from eyes familiar.
 Beg pardon" said he, hat in hand. | Aren't Tom and Mrs. Holmes in'" ''rhey've gone to church. said the girl T heard you and thought it was Mir. Mo Ardle"
 'Gurley, of the Mounds farm. I hope I | haven't startled youF'
 "Oh, no; if you wait little while they will be home. Toddlcs and l are keeping house. promised to take care of him and | strain the milk"
 l Toddlcs, recognizing play-fellow at the top of the stairs, shook a tin mug and ut tered remarks in a dialect peculiar to him. self
 May I come down and help you:" in- quired Gurloy An o1fer," he thought, I ''which she may resent"
 If you would please lift the pulls it would | be hep;" she replied. "Toddles keeps | stepping on my dress"
 Gurley descended the stairs and they went back to tho milk cellar. The crooks and pans were already in line, and along this l line they progressed, Gurley carrying the | pails and she the hugo milk-strainer. Tod | dles, cuddling by, interposcd his mug at l such times as suited him. The blue veins l started out on her arms under the weight