The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-09-27
CATCHING BUTTERFLIES
His Latest Specimen the Rarest
and Most Valued Of An

us this the stage for Ford's Mills?'
said . 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 1t don't go there fur nigh
onto two hours; it waits fur the train up
from 'Gusty. Wuz you thinlkin' 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, Sam'l 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 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 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. 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 Ford's wilder? Course do.
But thought knew all his kin folk.
Whose girl be you, anyway"
mot WILSON Ford; father cautioned
me not to let you make mistake. /
mean Mrs. William Ford"
II see! Hammer, Bills wilder; her
thet was . Meredith. Yes! yes! So
you're one Of the Boston Merediths, eh?''
Eyes, 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 kin keep
An eye out fur 'em. Well, you 20 an
set in the depot, an I'll call you when
its time to start; you shall set on the
'front.' seat, an Ill tell you about .
prank that father o yourn played ON me
ouct He was master hand to train!
Chuck full O. the old Nick! Mis- Wilson
ford-her thet wus Carline Oahes-was
s3ne expectin' one o. her nieces from
dol'will, an must 60 and see If she's
anywhere round"
Evidently the niece from Hsllowe]l
had postponed her visit, for there were
at three other passengers, elderly
women. in Saml Gardner,s stage, and
shey got out 1T farm-houses long before
lords Mills was reached.
as Mis- Ford to homer" said the
river, - the stage stopped at trim
title house In the middle of . luxuriant
richard. TIE person to whom he spoke
yas just leaving the house; in one hand
he carried little basket and in the
cher = tin pail.
mo she hsin't She was 'lottin' ON
eoln' down to Eddin'ton with you, this
sftngppoes peoyidin' her company hedn't
,ooAos 6e> ne vag aent for sudden, 10
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