The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-12

up on account of the wide roots. Some
one had already cleared way by letting
, down fences on the road side but Miss
Scamper did not 90 around with the rest.
and then trotted on.
Didymus faced it too. His brute got
over, but half stumbled. Didymus was
countrybred, had ridden horses to mill
bare-baclled and was half centaur when
a boy; so he brought his horse up
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and grace
with which Miss Scamper managed her
horse, and Didymus more than everybody.
When they arrived at their destination,
the party dispersed in the house and over
the grounds. They found old Scamper
there. He had gone over before in a carry
all Almont was the property of Colonel
Almont and was for sale. with its fine
blooded stock of horses and cattle, its
furniture, its library, and everything in
the house and around it. The Colonel and
his family We're in Europe, and intended
to stay while he edit, ated his sons at
Heidelberg. SO he offere,, the house-a
house that cost hundred and thirty
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 high
state of -''for," as he said in
his letter, "a mere song" So it was; but
as it was set to the tune of three hundred
thousand dollars there were few who could
render the music.
They all admired the place. The agent,
who was there, seized on the Scampcrs and
Didymus, to whom he showed everything
and explained everything. Didymus was
amused at this, and whispered to Miss
Scamper, Gle has picked out the only
three who could certainly not buy it,"
Miss S'amper, by the twinkle in her eyes,
evidently appreciated the fun of the situa-
/ ton. Then the agent seized old Scamper,
and dragged him off to look at the blooded
horses and imported cattle, leaving Didy-
mus and the girl together.
GLOW do you like the place, Mr.. Dodd?"
inquired she.
''Like it, Miss Scamper Why, it is Il
garden of Eden: that is it would be so to
me, if had it with an Eve in it,"
The young lady smiled and said, "You
like country life then. Mr. Dodd?n
Naturally" replied Didymus, 81 lived
in the country until | was twenty-five. |
was horn and bred there. | should have
been there yet but for the death of both
my parents. I went to the city in search
of fortune. have done very well for the
last seven years, and have put little by:
but to covet place like this is like
wishing for the mOon.n
"The country is the place to live in, and
the city to work in" said Miss Scampcr,
sententiousy.
'''To live in, | grant you, if you have
the means-a good farm and money to
work it. Otherwise you toll harder in the
country than in town, with less comfort
and less profit"
Then they discoursed on rural topics,
with a marvellous unity of sentiment until
the venerable Scamper and the agent got
back, which was at the time the whole
party, each with nosegav furnished by
gardener from the greenhouses, was ready
for a return to the Springs.
There were yet two days of the young
mans vacation left, when he determined
to place his fate at Miss Scamper's disposal
at the first opportunity. The chance came
that very night. That evening a number
were seated on the veranda. enjoying Tie
moonlight. Miss Scampcr sat apart from
the rest. in heavy shadow. with her grand
father. The old gentleman rose when
Dodd came. and left Miss Scamper made
room for Didvmus at her side and the two
began to talk of the days doings.
"Bv-the-bve," said Didvmus, "have you
heard that Altamont has been sold''
eyes,
"And to the great heiress, Miss Bolsover
| wonder if she will keep old maids hall
there %
Miss Scamper laughed low slvery
laugh 81 presume she will, she said,
unless she gets chance to marry. Wasn't
that sad accident at the mill today ?"
every. The man has wife and five
children. | went over to see how they
were-to see if they were in pressing need
you know; but that part is all right. This
Miss Bolsover, who must be staying some
where 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 Mcky and his family"
81 believe, Mr.. Dodd" said the lady,
Chat you play the part of Lord Bountiful
sometimes, especially if some poor woman
left with four children should rouse your
sympathies."
"How did you know 2" he asked.
"a little bird told me, she said "You
not only paid Mrs. Grants rent, but got
her eldest boy employment, and then fairly