Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-10-21
err the old haunts.
NO. 10.


Macy, oh Der 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, uncounsc Gus Of
the surveillance of the othe'. and be.
came very friendly.
Early one morning Macy stroll d
to the lower end of the orchard and
climbed into an old apple tree, whose
branches were easily accessible. She
carried small portfolio, and having
seated herself comfortably. proceed
ed to write as follows:
BRooKs1DE FARM, August 5.
Dear May-I know yol will be
yexed with me because | have only
written you short notes. To tellthe
truth / fell i'll when | came, but now
l feel like chatting with you and tell
ing you all about who, which, what
and where.
"This is really a comfortable place
and the inhabitants thereof are very
much like other folks, with one ex-
ception. We are twelve, all told !;
only three men, one of whom i very
much sought after.
"0ne is an invalid-is almost near
the end of his life, / think-the Sec
ond, though not nearly so i'll, is so
cross. should think all his folks
would be glad when he is gone oyer.
Now, that sounds hard, but why
need people be so disagreeable
i" OF 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 K is lady Of uncertain
age. If she would get good match
on her false hair she would look bet
ter. She shippers and always wants
a gentleman around to kill the snakes
and bugs when we go picknicking.
"Mrs. F. is bony, angular and
suspicious, always watching to see if
somebody ISM doing something in
judicious. Fan and | give her plen-
ty of opportunity, for we always
manage to act our worst when her
green eyes are watching us. Fan is
distant relative of Mrs. c., an
other lady here. She is so fat and
asthmatic she can't 60 anywheres or
do anything but read and knit. She
is really good. like her and like
| Fan sometimes. She is bit free
and sentimental, but then she is only
seventeen.
! Miss L., school teacher. We
do not often see. She seems tired
and sleeps a great deal. Should
think she would want TO take reg
ular Rip Van Wrinkle nap. 1t must
be hard work to teach. | don't think
teachers are half appreciated.
"The exception l spoke of is Cley-
al Ashby. He is very peculiar
young man, twenty eight years old,
perhaps. One day is sober and dig
nified as judge. Then he seems
about forty. Next day he frolics
like boy. Then he seems eighteen.
He is really nice, but sometimes /
feel quite afraid of him, and then
| again could say anything 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 re-
ly upon him as guide. Now, you
needn't think / am going to go and
fall in love with him not bit of it.
| wouldn't dare besides, he doesn't
care very much for ladies' society,
and he never would think of a 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 discover
ed that her envelopes were at the
house. She descended from her
perch to return to the house. As
she came down the letter fell unno-
ticed by her side, and she walked on
leaving the missive behind 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 desk scratched off the fol-
lowing epistle:
BRooKsIDE FARM, August s.
" Dear Old BOy-I deserve no
end of censure for my silence, but
the fact is | have felt disinclined to
write to even you. You will know
there is special reason. You know
| promised to tell you if snything
special ever happened to me. Well
Il own up-confess the soft inn
parchment and all that / am fairly
caught and no mistake. There new
or was another before and there new
er will be again. She is all my fan
cy painted her, etc., but she is as
unattainable as the moon. Have
been here five week and shall stay
while she stays.
You may call me fool il you
like, but | can't go until she goes,
and then-well, / must make up my
mind to live without her. Does she
kuow2 Mt except by suspicion.
Her aunt las limited to me what
brilliant match she expects to make
in autumn, SO I'm dumb, OF course.
Now that / have freed my mind to
you, | have one request to make.
When | see you, don't speak Of her
to me. / could not bear it. Cupid's
arrow, of which we have jesied so
much, has struck me deeply.
&c. A.
He folded il compscuy, placed it
in his pocket, intending to add the
envelope at the house. He fastened
seeing it was a short cut across the
orchard. As he passed one of the
4 L -.