The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1892-08-10
Sadie Ruthven's Vacation.

Sadie Ruthven's Vacation.
Sadie Ruthven is an American
girl, but her cousin, Marie Theisson,
is French, and lives In pretty home
in Southern France. Marie's NAM
mas name is Sarah Ruthven Theis-
son.
They slept together in charming
little room--Marie's own-all blue
and silver, in a pretty canopied bed
that Sadie thought was the most
beautiful piece of furniture she had
ever seen.
Sadie was awakened in the morn
ing by the sound of bells-sleigh-
bells, she was sure of it. She Jump
ed out of bed calling Marie.
"Ohl" she cried, "I'm so sorry !
I thought twas summer here, and
now it's winter; it must have
changed while we were asleep"
What are you talking about?"
asked Marie, rubbing her sleepy
eyes; Otis winter; it was winter
yesterday, too"
"But the roses were all in bloom,"
Sadie asserted, as she ran to the
window and pushed the drapery
aside; "and now-oh, they're
blooming nowl good I'm so glad
But l heard sleigh-bells. Marie, and
I thought there had been a big
snow-storm."
Marie was wide awake now, and
she laughed.
"You don't know France yet,
Cousin Sadie" she said. you'll
hear lots of sleigh-bells here, but
you may not see flake Of snow"
"Sleigh-be without snow Well,
that's funnyl" exclaimed Sadie.
I'm used to it; it's always been
so as long as [ can remember; you'll
see them ON our pretty black horses
to-day, Sadie, when we ride to the
old castle"
Soon after breakfast the team of
handsome black horses before a
beautiful roomy carriage stood at
the door. Sure enough, there were
the sleigh-bell around their necks
fine silver bells, which made a
delightful sound at every movement
of the horses necks.
The party were soon comfortably
seated in the carriage. There were
seven besides the driver-Mr. and
Mrs. Ruthven and Sadie, Monsieur
and Madame Theisson, Marie and
little Paul, her brother.
First they drove all around the
quaint old French town. The
houses were not handsome, and
nearly all Of them had tile roofs
Some of the streets were so narrow
that only one carriage could pass
through at q time-that is, one
row of vehicles: the others must
wait at the end of the street. Every
little while they saw horses and
donkeys with bells around their
necks; sometimes it was a cart
horse, shaking his tired head, some
times a gay-looking little horse
hitched to pretty, low-wheeled
wagon.
But presently the town was left
behind, and here and there was a
pleasant-looking villa. Orchards of
oranges and mandarins were
plentiful, and olives were growing
luxuriantly.
At the prettiest villa along the
route Monsieur Theisson stopped.
eve will call here" he said ga
good friend of mine lives here"
So they all got out and were warm
ly welcomed. Monsieur and Mad
anne Carnot were charming, but the
latter had a sad face that was full
of unrest. There were no children,
the only one having died a year be-
fore. The interior of the villa was
lovely. They showed it to the
Ruthvens by request of Madame
Tbeisson. and then took the party
around the grounds.
Roses we're i'm bloom ON all sides
climbing over trellises and arbors
into the upper windows of the villa
and running over the wire fences
Rare plants we're abundant. Cacti
flowers of many hues held up OF
dropped their fine heads The cork
trees and eucalyptus hourished. II