The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-02-13

iild- -uliicciit bloDicu nay f3T-c, equip
ped with side saddle. As they were
admiring the animal, Miss Scamper, in
neat riding habit, made her appear
ance. The groom took off his hat
Didymus. not little astonished, put
forth his hand, aud the lady vaulted to
the back Of tine horse with easy grace
The cavalcade set out, Miss Scamper
and Didymus together, and being bet
ter mounted than the Others, were soon
at the head of the column.
About a mile from the Springs there
was "A bar in the way. A lofty tulip
tree had blown down during the night,
and had fallen across the road, the
trunk well up on account OF the wide
roots. Some one had already cleared a
way by letting down fences on the road
side but Miss Scamper did not go
around with the rest. She faced the
trunk, the horse went over, and then
trotted ON. Didymas faced it too. His
brute got over, but half stumbled.
Didymus was county-bred, had rid
den horses 10 mill bareback, and was a
half-centaur when aboy, 50 he brought
his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and
grace with which Miss Scsimper man
aged her horse, and Didymus more
than everybody.
When they arrived at their destina-
ton the party dispersed in the house
and over the grounds. They found old
Scamper there. He had gone over be-
fore in carry-all. Almont was the
property of Col. Alnlont, and was for
sale, with its fine blooded stock OF
horses and cattle, its furniture, its Ii
brary, and everything in the house and
around il. The Colonel and his family
were in Europe, and intended to stay
there while he educated his sons at
Heidelburg. So he Offered the whole
"a house that cost hundred thousand
dollars, with all its offices of all kinds,
stables, palmery, grapery and green
houses, furniture made to order, and
over twelve hundred acres of land in a
high state of cultivation-''for," rs he
said in his letter, "a mere song" So
il was /; but a. il was set 10 the tune of
three hundred thousand dollars, there
We're few who could render the music.
They all admired the place. The
agent, who was there, seized on the
Scampers and Didymus, To whom he
showed everything and explained every
thing. Didymus was amused at this,
and whispered to Miss Scamper, "He
has picked out the only three who could
certainly not buy it." Miss Scamper,
by the twinkle in her eyes, evidently
appreciated the fun of the situation.
Then the agent seized old Scamper, aud
dragged him of to look at the biooded
horses and imported cattle, leaving
Didymus and the girl together.
How do you like Che place, MIR.
Dodd ," inquired she.
Like il Miss Scamper! Why, it is a
garden of Eden that i, il would be 50
to ME, if had il with an Eve in it,"
The young lady smiled, and said,
''You like country life, then, Mr..
Dodd?n
Naturally" replied Didymus, IL
lived in the country until was twenty
two. | was born and bred there |
should have been there yet but for the
death of both my parents. / went TO
the city in search of fortune. / have
done very well for the last seven years,
and have pat little by; bat to covet
place like this is like wishing for the
moon.n
"The country is the place to live in,
and the city 10 work in" said Miss
Scamper, sententiously.
"To live in, grant you, if you have
the means-a good farm and money TO
work il. Otherwise you toll harder in
the country than in town, with less
comfort and less profit"
Then they disceursed on rural topics,
with marvellous unity of sentiment,
until the venerable Scamper and the
agent got back, which was at the time
the whole party, each with a nosegay
furnished by the gardener from the
greenhouses, was ready for a return to
the Springs.
There were two days OF the young
mans vacation left, when he determin-
ed To place his fate at Miss Scamper's
disposal AZ the first opportunity. The
chance came that very night. That
evening a number were seated on the
veranda enjoying the moonlight, Miss
Scamper set apart from the rest, in
heavy shadow, with her grandfather.
The old gentleman rose when Dodd
came and left. Miss Scamper made
room for Didymus at her side, and the
two began 10 talk of the days dOings.
"By-the-bye," said Didymas, "have
yOu heard that AlmOnt has been sold?
"Yes."
"And To the great hciress, Miss Boz
sover. | wonder if she will keep old
maids hall there:"
Miss Scamper laughed a low, silvery
laugh. ~ presume she will, y she said,
''unless she chances to marry. Wasn't
that sad accident at the mill to-
day ~
every. The man has wife and five
children. went over tC see how they
were-to see if they were i'm pressing
need, you know; but that part is ali
right. This Miss Boisover, who must
he staying somewhere near, had been
there and provided for all their wants.
/ suppose, as she has bought Almont,
she means to play the Lady Bountiful
here, which is all the better for Micky
and his family"
81 believe, Mr.. Dodd," said the lady,
''that You play the part of Lord Boun-
tiful sometimes, especially if some poor
woman left with four children should
rouse your sympathies."
"How did you know" he asked.
"a little bird told me-" she said.
but got her eldest boy employment, and
then fairly ran away to avoid her
thanks. She was full ofyour praises y
"But she did not know my name, "