The National tribune., 1893-09-21

MIR. NoRTHRoP EXPLAINS DOCKING"
rageously "docked number of poor farmers
who had sold their crops of tobacco TO them
He refrained. however, from saying anything
disparaging concerning them
AT sight of the lake Miss Archmuty's en-
thusasm was again aroused 1t was, indeed,
beautiful sheet of water. lying placidIy be-
tween rich lowlands that gradually sloped into
hills of commanding hight. The shores were
mostly wooded. and at intervals amid the trees
were small hotels and large farmhouses at which
city guests were entertained during the Sum
mer.
On point of land projecting a short dis
tance into the lake stood the home of Mr..
Crandall, plain but roomy and comfortable
white house.
Mr.. Crandalfs mother aud sister managed
the house. and the money earned by taking
bOarders during the warm months was their
share of the family revenue, the rest of it be-
ing derived under the young mans supervision
from the 200 acres of the adjacent farm
The Crandalls owned the farm clear of debt,
and had a few thousands of dollars in the bank
besides
The young farmer saw the new guest every
day. but strange embarrassment possessed b i'm
whenever he approached her. At best he was
not ready talker, and in the presence of Miss
Archmuty he lost the power of speech entirely
until she restored it to him by asking him
questions with kindly tact.
His awe was increased by the discovery that
she was an artist. Almost every pleasant after
noon she went into the woods and fields and
with skillful pencil sketched what was most
beautiful in the picturesque region.
He learned that instead Of being content to
be only an ornament in society she cherished
high ambition and a serious purpose in life
The worthy fellow deemed it great privilege
to be able to see and admire so superior be.
ing, but he was modest that he feared she
would never bestow on him more than a pass-
ing thought.
During the third week of Miss Archmuty's g
stay there was hop at the largest hotel beside
the lake, and the most dashing young man
present was Charles Benton the tobacco buyer
He was introduced to Miss Archmuty, and was
so successful in his progress in cultivating her
acquaintance that he obtained her consent to
go driving with her two days later
When young Benton appeared at the Gran
dali homestead in stylish buggy drawn by a
perfectly y-matched span of horses in silver
mounted harness, and asked for Miss Arch
muty, then did honest John Crandall, who
was running lawn mower in the yard, feel
jealous.
His heart sank as he recollected what Miss
Archmuty had said) concerning the Benton
house, and he acknowledged that she would
make an admirable mistress of SO fine an abode
Mr.. Benton's attentions continued, and Miss
Archmuty went driving with him several
times during the next two weeks. CrandalI
wondered what she could see in him to please
her, for he was regarded by the farmers who
knew him best as 'imeanscuss."
The truth is, that while iss Archmnty was
good girl at heart, and bad a superior intel
lect, she was not quite the divinity that the
ad0ring farmer believed her to be- It was
pleasant to ride behind the spirited horses aud
she liked her companion, accustomed to good
society and gentlemanly in his demeanor.
She represented to herself that it was only
Summer rtction, and she resolved to check
Mr.. Benton's advances should they become too
serious. fat
That the rich admirer "meant business"
soon became apparent to Crandali, whose love
for the girl made him SO keen that he iutuitive-
ly read The mind of any man who paid court
to her.
1t needed but few words from the farmer
to lower Mr.. Benton in the opinion of Miss
Archmuty. She could be told that he was
cheat who sought as his victims, not his equals,
but farmers, ignorant and too poor to fight him
In the courts of law.
But Crandall scorned to take what he regard
ed as a mean advantage of his rival, although
his delicate silence might be the means of his
losing the girl whom he fairly worshped.
One day the young woman desired to do
some shopping in the village, and for this pur-
pose hired Amos Northrop, all old farmer of
the neighborhood, to drive her to her destna-
tion.
Amos had long, bushy hair, which sadly