The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-05-17
CHAPTER |.
TIE NEWCOMERS.

at either side of table, sprang to their
feet with calculations Of interest and
rushed to the window Of the sitting room
'"Take care, Monica, DEAR" said one,
shrouding herself in the lace curtain;
don't let them see us"
mo, no, Bertha. We must not give
them reason to say that their neighb0rs
are inGuisitive But think that we are
safe if we stand like this"
The open window looked out upon a
sloping lawn, we'll trimmed and pleas
ant, with fuzzy rosebushes and a star
shaped bed of sweet william. 1t was
bounded by low wooden fence, which
screened it off from broad modern new
metaled road. At the other side Of this
road were three large, detached, deep
bodied villas, with peal1y ewes and small
wooden balconies, each standing in it's
own little square Of grass and of flowers.
All three were equally new, but Nos.
and 2 were curtained and sedate, with
human sociable look to them, while
No. 8, with yawning door and unkempt
garden, had apparently only just received
it's furniture and made itself ready for
its occupants. A 4-wheeler had driven
up to the gate, and it was at this that
the old ladies, peeping out birdlike from
the curtains, directed an eager and ques-
tioning gaze.
The cabman had descended, and the
passengers within wero handing out tho
articles which they desired him to carry
up to the house. He stood red faced and
blinking, with his crooked arms out
stretched, while male hand, prOtruding
from the window, kept piling up upon
him series of articles, the sight Of
which filled the curious old ladies with
bewildermcnt.
my goodness me!' cried Monica, the
smaller, tho drier and the more wizened
Of the pair. What do you call that,
Bertha? It looks to me like four batter
puddings."
''Those are what the young mon box
each other WITH" said Bertha, with u
conscious air of superior worldly lnowl-
edge.
"And th0sc?'
Two great bottle shaped pieces Of ycl-
low, shining wood had been heaped upon
the cabman.
''Oh. don't know what those are"
confessed Bertha. Indian clubs had new
or before obtruded themselves upon her
peaceful and very feminine existence.
These mysterious articles We're fol
lowed however, by others which We're
more within their range Of comprehen-
sion-by pair of dumbbells, Il purple
cricket bag, set Of golf clubs and q
tennis racket.
Finally, when the cabman, all top
heavy and briatling, had staggered Off
up the garden path, there emerged in
very leisurely way from the cab u big,
powerfully built young man, with o bull
pup under one arm and pink sporting
paper in his hand. The paper he
crammed into the pocket of his light
yellow dust coat and extended his hand
us If 10 assist some one else from the
vehicle. TO the surprise of the two old
ladies, however, the only thing which his
open palm received was a violent slap,
and tall lady bounded unassisted out
Of the cab. With regal wave she mo-
toned the young man toward the door,
and then with one hand upon her hip she
stood in q careless, lounging attitude by
the gate, kicking her toe against the
wall and listiessly awaiting the return
Of the driver.
AS she turned slowly round and the
sunshine struck upon her face the two