Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-11-24


the parlor,
! But when the teams were ready the
next morning, it was Miss Paul whC
gracefully and unconcernedly climbed
over the wheels and sat by the vii
burs. 1t was not that she preferred
the seat. except as she felt instinctivelJ
/ that they were at IA little disadvantage
with the others, and it was, perhaps
one secret of her perfect bearing il
social circles that her private rule o.
| politeness was the little old-fashioneC
couplet:
"Politeness IS to do and say
Tn kindest thing in the kindest way"
The party was a merry one; they
sang songs and waved the hotel color'
as they drove along, each wagon drawn
by four splendid white hcrses. They
stopped at the lake TO enjoy boat
ing and to hear the echo. While they
floated on the water Miss Paul sang
two or three Venetian boat songs, tC
the great delight OF the party.
II learned those of our dark-eyed
gondolier," she said,
The Notch was at its grandest that
day. and the mountain ridges stood
high and clear against the cloudless
sky. There We're other parties out, a
taliy-ho coachful and several teams
coming from different directions; but
noontime found them all either dining
at the nearest hotel or lunching in the
woods close by.
A party of southerners, driving up
in a surrey, espied Milicent Paul, and
hailed her enthusiastically. She
brought them to her own party under
the trees, and said, as she presented
them:
These travellers are from Georgia.
We met in Washington last winter
and became friends"
Mr.. Wilbur experienced a slight
mental shock. HIS father had lost
both legs in the war, and he himself
had never thought of a southerner ex-
cept as n foe at heart. Yet here were
these people bowling to him with the
rest, in cordial, pleasant fashion.
Language had not been given to Mr..
Wilbur for the purpose of concealing
his thought. He looked earnestly al
the stranger nearest him.
II never expected to meet a south.
ern man." he said, in blunt tones
'my father was made a cripple in the
war
"And mine lost his life" replied the
southern man, gently, But it is al
over now. You and | have one coun.
try"
$50 we have-so we have" said Mr..
Wilbur, and the two shook hands
silently. This scene escaped the no
tice of the rest of the company, who
had at once engaged in lively CONVEX
%sation; but to both men it was one OF
those little strokes that help to chise.
character,
"Oh, what Il beautiful, beautiful day
among the mountains this has been!'
said Milicent Paul, when they were
homeward bound. II hope you have
enjoyed it too, Mrs. Wilbur"
81 have very much shall never for
get it," said the quiet little woman
her face glowing.
The Wilburs left the next day. Miss
Paul shook hands with them when they
went, and most of the others did the
same. They went away hNppy and sat
istied. They said to each other it hat
been II good holiday. 1t was a little
awkward at first among strangers
but it had all ended pleasantly, ant
they had seen so much.
Are you going to correspond with
them, Milicent?" asked her old school.
mate, teasingly.
"lIetty, dear said Milicent: ''yol
really must open your eyes wider ant
see the world you live in; you will fine
it repay you. The Wilburs are only
passing acquaintance, like many 9th
ers; we may never meet them again
But, in conversing, | found out one o.
two things which may interest you
When Mr.. and Mrs. Wilbur were mar
ried, ten years ago, his mother ha,
just died, and there were brothers an(
sisters beside the crippled father to b.
cared for. Mrs. Wilbur and her hus
band put their shoulders cheerfullv t,
the wheel and worked together. l
was farm life and farm work. Thu
father died Il year ago, and the broth
ers and sisters now take care of them
selves. SO, this year, when hayinl
and canning were over, the Wilbur
decided to take IA little holiday, anC
see the mountains. Neither of then
ever saw a mountain before. 1t ha
been the great event of their lives.
cannot tell you how glad | am tina
they went with us yesterday"
$50 am L. said Hetty.
Another little thing came out, toe
found out where they live. The,
told me il was close by the Shore Lin,
railroad, q mile from the smalles
Rhode Island station, "a small re,
farmhouse with two apple trees and
garden in front. With IL box border,
exclaimed, two rows of pinks, tn
bluest larkspurs in the world, and tn
reddest peoples" Yes, that was it
she said. Why, girls, / always look a
that house and garden when 1 trave
by that road, and have often wondere,
who lived there. Now know
Girls" said Hetty, after Milicen
left the room to get the pillow cove
she had promised to show them, Z"
feel like a grub! Shall lever be a but
terfy? And do you wonder tina
everybody loves Milicent Paul?"-N
Y. Independent.