Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-25

Cleval Ashby was tall, dark
muscular, with piercing dark eyes;
man of marked individualities, good
and reliable. He knew all the brooks
hills and glens for miles around and
took great pleasure in going over the
old haunts.
Although not particularly attracted
to ladies society, he was attracted to
Macy and mentally resolved to study
her in a quiet way.
Macy, on her part, who had come
there fancy free, thought Mr.. Ashby
different from the ordinary young
man and resolved to study him.. so
each was kept busy, unconscious o1
the surveillance of the other, and De-
came very friendly.
Early one morning Macy strolled to
the lower end of the orchard and
climbed into an old apple tree, whose
branches were easily accessible. She
carried a small portfolio, and, having
seated herself comfortably, proceeded
to write as follows:
''BBooKsIDE FARM, August ..
"DEAR MAY know you will be
vexed with me because l have only
written YOU short notes. To tell the
truth. l fell i'll when l came, but now
feel like chatting with you and tell
ing YOU all about who, which, what
and where.
"This is really comfortable place
and the inhabitants thereof are very
much like other folks, with one excep-
tion. We are twelve, all told; only
three men, one of whom is very much
sought after.
Zone is an invalid-is almost near
the end of his life, l think-the sec
ond, though not nearly so i'll, is so
cross I should think all his folks would
be glad when he is gone over. Now,
that sounds hard, but why need people
be so disagreeable?
HOf the ladies. Mrs. A is wealthy
and wants every one to know it. She
thinks money is all.
"Mrs. B is in reduced circum-
stances. There seems to be flavor
of better days about her. She makes
the best spread of what is left, though.
Miss X is lady of uncertain
age. If she would get a good match
on her false hair she would look bet
ter. She simpers and always wants a
gentleman around to kill the snakes
and bugs when we go picnicking
"Mrs. F is bony, angular and
suspicious, always watching to sec if
somebody isn't doing something in
judicious. Fan and 1 give her plenty
of opportunity, for we always manage
to act our worst when her green eyes
are watching us. Fan is a distant rela-
tive of Mrs. c., another lady here.
She is SO fat and asthmatic she can't
90 anywhere or do anything except
read and knit. She is really good. !
like her and l like Fan sometimes. She
is a bit free and sentimental, but then
she is only seventeen.
"Miss L, a school teacher, we do
not often see. She seems tired and
sleeps a great deal. Should think she
would want to take regular Rip Van
Winkle nap 1t must be hard work to
teach. don't think teachers are half
appreciated.
"The exception I spoke of is Cleval
Ashby. He is a very peculiar young
man, twenty eight years old, perhaps.
One day he is sober and dignified as a
Judge. Then he seems about forty.
Next day he frolics like boy. Then
he seems eighteen. He is really nice,
but sometimes l feel quite afraid Of
him, and then again could say any
thing to him.
Certainly he is reliable; any one
would say that. He knows all the
pleasant places here, for he used TO live
here when boy; SO we'll all rely on
him as guide. Now, you needn't
think that l am going to go and fall In
love with him; not a bit of it. /
wouldn't dare; besides, he doesn't
care very much for ladies society, and
he never would think of silly little
thing like me.
"Now you know all about us, and
will keep you informed if you feel an
interest Thine, NJ. -
She folded this and then discovered
her envelopes were At the house. She
descended from her perch to return
to the house. As she came down the
letter fell unnoticed by her side, and
she walked on, leaving the missive be-
hind her,
Meanwhile, down beyond the "south
medder," Mr.. Cleval Ashby, tired Of
angling, stretched himself under an
old pine tree, and using his hat for a
desk scratched off the following epistle
BBooKsIDE FARM, Aug. 5.
"DEAR OLD By deserve no end
of censure for my silence, but the fact
4 II