Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-17

was one of those odd specimens of frontier architecture, fast fading from the landscape, before the sweep ing strides of better civilization. Not, however, that it was mean in any particular. Thirty years ago it was a palace compared to the other rude log huts in the vicinity. It was built of hewn logs, and made what is called double. It was weather-boarded with out and plastered within, giving it an air of neatness as well as comfort. The front yard was covered with a sweet, tender coating of early spring blue grass, and the oaks and elms had begun to assume their summer garb. The front gate was closed and standing by it, leaning over and looking down the Newton road, was a woman. She was beautiful, possessing real charms. She was not young, not one of those radiant beauties who dazzle the eyes of silly society swells, but possessed of sweet, matronly, home-like face, the beauty only found in mothers.
 Perhaps a passer-by or casual ob- server would have discovered nothing attractive, much less beautiful, in that commonplace woman standing by the gate gazing down the "big road' with cagcrncss in her face. But had he paused he would have seen that, plain as those features were, they were very regular; that, although she had lines of care, they were almost obliterated by lines of pride; that her brown eyes, too dark to be Hue, and too light to be black, were filled with the eager joy of mother expecting the return of a child.
 Mrs. Stuart was nearly forty years of age. and, had it not been for her matronly appearance, might have passed for several years younger. On this mild May evening she stands by the gate with all mothers fondness and pride, awaiting the return of her oldest son from college. He has grad uated and is expected on the evening train at Newton, whither his younger brother has gone to meet him with the "spring wagon" His father had gono a week before to the city where Warren was attending the medical college to hear his sons graduating oration.
 Mir. Stuart was the model farmer of the Sandy Fork neighborhood. He was not the wealthiest nor the most aristocratic, perhaps, but then he was what is called well-to-do in the world, very quiet and pleasant, having but few enemies and many warm friends. Perhaps he was not as wealthy or influ- ential as either Taylor, Evans or Arnold, whose farms were near or adjoining his, but his word went as fal as either, and he never gave his note. As Newton was west of the Stuart farm, the rays of the setting sun fell or the woman's face, and she was com pelled to shade her eyes with her clean white apron.
 "Oh, mother, are you looking fol them already ?" asked bright, cheery voice from the house, and the ncx moment there came bounding dowr the gravel walk a beautiful girl abou fifteen years of age. with large darl eyes and hair. She pushed the gat' open and took look down the road shading her eyes with her hands.
 "Is it time, mother ?" she asked, fo her mother had been too busy with he thoughts and watching to answer hel first question.
 "Yes, dear, it is almost time," tn, mother answered, her very tones denot ing kindness.
 "How long have you been here mothers ?"
 "Not long"
 "Oh, mother, I knew you would b watching for Warren long before h came. Do you suppose he has grow much ?"
 "No, not since we saw him."
 "He has been gone so long; oh 8 long,"
 "Yes, he's been gone all winter"
 "And now he'll be doctor, won he?"
 "Yes, I hope so," the mothe answered, as if she knew that ever diploma does not make the man who's name is written therein doctor.
 "Oh, want to see brother Ware so bad," said the anxious sister, swing ing upon the gate and humming tune.
 The youngest brother, who Ina remained at home to blow in tn fields, now came by riding sone plo' horse and leading the other, and aske eff it was not time for them to come?
 "Almost, William," said the mother "go and put your horses away and fee them; by that time they will be herr l expect"
 William, wno was only thirteen yeal of age, was rather young for a plo' boy, but he was large and able to ''mal age team' almost as well as Cla ence, who was four years older.