The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-15
A FAIR EXCHANGE.

Mr.. and Mrs. Harem ware farmers
in Rockport. Mrs. Harem sat in a
little rocker, hemming the last dish
towel of the pile before her. She look
ed around her kitchen surveying the
newly-painted floor, the new range,
and glanced beyond into the dining
room with its new appointments. She
also, with her minds eye, surveyed
with equal complacency several rooms
around and above her.
The old house had been changed.
The roof had been raised one story.
To tell the truth, it had been raised
several times i'm small domestic way
before timbers made an appearance
and her demands were recognized.
Mr.. Harem objected to change, but
Mrs. Harem was determined TO have
it.
She said she wanted to see something
of the world This to her meant en-
larging the old house and taking city
boarders
Now everything was ready and it
was expected the first couple would
make their advent the next day. Mrs.
Harem was ready for them, even to
the nice loaf cake reposing in tinpail,
safely hidden from Jack, the chore
boy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harem, though old in
years, were still industrious, healthy
people, and both had the reputation Of
being spry. Mrs. Harem, in particu-
lar, had reputation of possessing in a
great degree a faculty which meant
the adjustment of her affairs toward
securing bread and bank stock.
''Now, Josiah" she began, 81 don't
see no earthly reason why we should
not make money this summer. What
with my spring chickens, an aigs, an
butter, an your vegetables, an milk,
an berries for the pickin', should think
we'd orter do well. An all them hos
ses of yourn can be put to account, an
if you'll jest let me have the managin,
I'll resk but it'll all come out right :"
and she laid down her scissors with a
click.
'Wal, Sallie, you kin hev it all your
own way. Pm jest goin' to wash my
hands of the hull business. I'll agree
to take orders from you jest as if l was
a hired man, an let you run the con-
sarn, 'ceptin' my work on the farm !;
course you won't meddle with that I;
and I've got likely feller comm to-
night, an he will be at your disposal,
too, so / don't see but we air well fixed.
If you'll only charge 'em enough you'll
get on ~
''Let me alone fer that, Josiah ~ she
replied, Significantly. "Tm goin to
hev a good price, an no hosses thrown
in, either ~
When the stage arrived next day it
brought the expected guests-Mrs. SIM
son, her sister, Miss Abigail Hanes,
and young lady, Miss Macy Rec Is,
a niece.
$50 we are the first to arrive ~ said
Mrs. Simson.
"Yes, but l expect another ter-mor-
rer, young man who used to know us
well. His folks used to live round
here, but they are all dead an gone an
he had fancy to come here to spend
a couple of weeks, so | said he should
come"
The next day this gentleman-Cleval
Ashby-arrived. AS he did not seem
socially inclined, Mrs. Simson did not
regard him with anxiety.
The house rapidly filed, and before
the week had passed the full number
of twelve were comfortably established
and all seemed contented. We wish to
give you a particular introduction to
Miss Macy Reeves. She was of medi-
um height, slight, graceful and good,
sensible face lighted by honest brown
eyes, and well poised head. She looked
i'll and nervous, as result of fright
at fire. She seemed languid.
Cleval Ashby was tall, dark, mus
cular, with piercing dark eyes, man
of marked individualities, good and
trustworthy. He knew all the brooks,
hills and glens for miles around, and
took pleasure in going over the old
haunts.
Although not particularly attracted
to Macy, he mentally resolved to study
her in very quiet way.
Macy on her part, who had come
there fancy free, thought Mr.. Ashby
different from the ordinary young man
and resolved to study him so each was
kept busy, unconscious of the surveil-
lance of the other, and became very
friendly.
Early one morning Macy strolled to
the lower end of the orchard and
climbed into an apple tree, whose
branches were easily accessible. She
carried small portfolio, and having
seated herself comfortably proceeded to
write as follows
BRooKsIDE FARM, Aug. 5th.
"DEAR MAY-I know you will be
vexed with me because / have only
written short notes. To tell the truth,
felt i'll when / came, but now feel
like chatting with you and telling you
all about who, which, what and where.
This is really comfortable place,