The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-27
We met in Washington last winter
and became friends"

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 Southerner
except as 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 con-
cealing his thought. He looked
earnestly at the stranger nearest to
him.
81 never expected to meet a South
ern man," he said, in blunt tones;
''my father was made cripple in the
war"
"And mine lost his life" replied
the Southern man gently. "But it is
all over now. You and / have one
country"
$50 we have-so we havew 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 it was one of
those little strokes that help to chisel
character.
90, what a beautiful, beautiful day
among the mountains this has been"
said Milicent Paul, when they were
homeward bound. 81 hope you have
enjoyed it too, Mrs. Wilbur"
81 have very much. / shall never
forget 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
happy and satisfied. They said to
each other it had been a good holt
day. Tt was little awkward at first
among strangers, but it had all end
ed pleasantly, and they had seen SO
much.
care you going to correspond with
them, Milicent?" asked her old
schoolmate, teasingly.
''Hetty, DEAR said Milicent, "you
really must open your eyes wider and
see the world you live in; you will
find it will repay you. The Wilburs
are only passing acquaintance, like
many others; we may never meet
them again. But in conversing |
found out one or two little things
which may interest you. When Mr..
and Mrs. Wilbur were married, ten
years ago, his mother had just died,
and there were brothers and sisters
besides the crippled father to be
cared for. Mrs. Wilbur and her hus-
band put their shoulders cheerfully
to the wheel and worked together. 1t
was farm life and farm work. The
father died a year ago, and the
brothers and sisters now take care of
themselves. So this year, when hay
ing and canning were over, the Will
burs decided to take little holiday
and see the mountains. Neither of
them ever saw mountain before It
has been the great event of their
lives. l cannot tell you how glad I
am that they went with us yesterday"
$50 am l." said Hetty.
another little thing came out, too.
| found out where they live. They
told me it was close by the Shore
Line railroad, mile from the small
est Rhode Island station, a small red
farmhouse with two apple trees and a
garden in front with a box bord-
err l exclaimed, two rows of pinks,
the bluest larkspurs in the world,
and the reddest poppies7' Yes, that
was it, she said. Why, girls, I al
ways look at that house and garden
when I travel by that road, and have
often wondered who lived there. Now
| knoww
"Girlsl" said Hetty, after Milicent
left the room to get the pillow cover
she had promised to show them. "I
fee like grub Shall / ever be a
butterfy9 And do you wonder that
everybody loves Milicent Paul?"-
TT e Independent.