Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-05-20
THE BEAUTIFUL HoP.PICKER.

his pocket and fed it leisurely to the
beautiful white horse against which
he leaned.
"Why, yes, it is rather a romantic
business, if you look at it from ro-
mantle point of view. You are an
artist, eh I? Come to sketch our little
bits of rustic sceneryi But there is
nothing particularly picturesque
about our hop-fields. Just sunshine,
and the gold.green Of the clusters. and
the curling tendrils reaching out for
something to grasp at, and the air so
blue and clear that one can almost
see the straight lines of the sunshine.
OF course, it looks pretty to me, for |
was born aud brought up in it-but-
excuse mel can't see what there is
specially worthy ofan artists pencil p
Mr.. Raymond smiled.
do you see those long perspectives
of green aIleys?" said he, with the
figures running in and out? And the
old woman sitting among the fragrant
heaps, with the scarlet cloak, and the
two little toddlers at her feet1 And
yonder feeble. bent old man. with
waler-cans on his shoulders 4? Why.
there arc hundred bits of genre here,
to say nothing of the background"
AMI Raymond took out his mill
boards and color boxes, set up an i'm
prom ptu easel. aud began diligently
to paint.
Squire Durell's son looked on with
an amazed smile.
"You will find some very pretty
faces here" said Durell, "if you care
for sketchiug that sort of thing. Peo-
pie come here from all parts of the
country, in picking time. You
are staying in this part of the neigh
borhood No? My father will be
very glad to see you, up at the house,
if you will honor US by becoming our
guest tonight"
And raising his light straw hat,
Daniel Durell went his way, the
beautiful, satin-skinned, white horse
following. like docile kitten, at his
heels.
Hugh" he said, to a servant who
had just come down with a hamper
from the house, take a cup Of hot
coffee and two or three of these white
rolls, with my compliments, to that
gentleman in the linen coat who is
sketching under the trees. And
Hugh !"
"Sir?"
did you carry the sardine sand-
wiches and the basket of apricots and
the fresh milk to the young girl in
black?
The man nodded.
"She didn't want to take 'em, Mr..
Daniel" said he. "She was all for
calling me back. But minded your
order, sir. and made off as fast as l
could, pretending not to hear"
Durell smiled. That right" said
he.
And then Durell, going up to the
Great House, shrewdly noting all the
hop-pickers as they sat and lay
around, under the shadow Of the
vines, in the dolce far niente of the
noon intermission. finally came into
the great, cool room, where the scent
of cheese-making filled the air, and
the muslin curtains Auttered to and
fro in the breeze.
The squire himself sat there, equity.
but content. Iced claret and cold
chicken were on the table forced hot
house peaches scented the atmosphere.
and delicate outlets, Dreaded and
fried in egg, were brought in hot.
The old gentleman's face frightened
at the sight Of his son.
1T has seemed long day without
you, my boy" said he. "Sit down !;
sit down. Do you know, Daniel, I've
been thinking all the morning that I
wish you'd bring wife home to the
old place? Why don't you think of
il my lad ?"
81 have been thinking of it. father"
said the squire's son. But what
would you say, sir. If I we're to marry
poor girlp
The squire sat down his glass Of
iced claret. Evidently this was q
new view Of matters.
"A poor girl, Daniels"
"But good girl, father, and as
sweet and lovely as yonder half-open.
ed rosebud.
"You will perhaps laugh at me-" he
added. "but / believe ! have lost my
heart to one OF our hop.piokers."
"Danielw
Her name is Mary RavensI. sir |;
never saw her before this season.
She is picking hops with her aunt or