The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-04
4 FARMERS Love.

Fancy New England farming and COM
mon New England farming were repre-
scented by two farms chat faced each
other and were separated by public
road.
The fancy farm showed the effects of
much money and a cultivated taste. The
house occupied by the owner, who spent
only part of the summer at his country
home, was mansion. There were tow
ers and curious windows, some of them
of stained glass, and many architectural
oddities such as are often seen in the
summer residences of the rich.
At suitable distance was the home of
the manager of the farm. It was small
or and less pretentious than the first
dwelling, but was palatial in appear
ance compared with an ordinary farm
house.
Near it were the barns, costly and Or
namental structures, painted bright
red. The land was divided by hand
some and expensive walls and by artistic
fences. A herd of so pure blooded Jer-
sey cattle and other fancy stock were
kept.
The house on the common farm close
" resembled the typical "old home
stead" The long, rambling roof and
the shingled sides were brown and
weather beaten. The windows were
small, and the panes of glass were many
and little. Ancient pictorial curtains
designated which room was the parlor.
A long bench beside the back door was
covered with shining milkpans. From
the deep well water was still drawn by
means of an old fashioned well sweep.
Rows of box inclosed a small garden,
in which tulips, pinks, forgetmenots,
streaked grass, ETC., grew IN picturesque
confusion.
Behind the house was a line old or
chard, which bore an abundance of APP
pies, much Of the fruit being better than
can generally be obtained from trees in
modern nurseries.
There were two large barns, implanted
and uncouth in appearance, but kept in
good repair.
The fields, comprising 200 acres-that
being also the size of the fancy farm
were separated from each other by rude
ly piled but substantial stone walls.
The domestic animals on this farm
were mostly of the ordinary breeds.
Modern labor saving machinery that re-
ally did save labor and promoted econO-
my was used, but no money was wasted.
It was a beautiful morning in May.
The landscape. clad in luxuriant YER
dure, was like a pleased child in a new
and becoming dress.
The owner of the common farm stood
in front of his home and looked with in
terest at beautiful girl who was walk
ing from the fine. residence opposite
along gravelly path that led to the
highway.
That the farmer should prefer to de-
vote his attention exclusively to the
maiden rather than to view the land
scape generally was not surprising, for
he was young and intelligent and withal
romantic.
To the farmers surprise the girl, when
she reached the road. did not go down it
toward the little village to get the mail.
She crossed the highway, and after Gus
tomary greetings said:
81 have heard so much about the beau
tiful appearance Of your orchard, now
that the trees are covered with blossoms,
that 1 would dearly like to see it if you
have no objection"
mo objection at all. shall be glad to
show it to you," said Mr.. Chadwick, his
honest face flushing with pleasure.
They walked into the orchard, and the
sight which greeted their eyes caused
the maiden to utter EXPLANATIONS of de-
light.
There were four long and widely sepa-
rated rows Of apple trees, covered with a
myriad of pink buds and pink and white
blossoms.
Bathed in brightest sunshine, the clus-
tiers of apple blossoms looked radiant,
their delicate tints almost sparkled, and
the scent was like one in fairyland.
Not few Of the blossoms had been
detached by a brisk wind during the
night and hsd been scattered over the
thick grass The luxurious greensward,
adorned with pink and white fecks, was
more beautiful than any carpet that
could be seen in the most richly fur
nished house in the land.
1t was scene that could inspire hope
and joy and love only. The young peo-
pie felt as if delightful spell had taken
possession of their senses.
Mr.. Chadwick forgot that his appear
Ence would not be apt to please fash
ionable city girl; he forgot that he wore
an old straw hat, coarse blue flannel
shirt without necktie and pair of
Matched trousers, the legs Of which were
tucked in the tops Of rough cowhide
boots.
His fair companion forgot that her
dress was rs fine as the clothes of her
friend were poor, and her social advan-
tage had been far superior to his.
She felt as if she were a country lass
and that the stalwart and manly farmer
was person to admire.
The talk Of the two was pleasant, and
SO quickly did the time pass that after a
conversation that lasted half hour they
supposed they had been talking with