The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-03
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the train only leaves passengers and
takes those who may be waiting.
A carriage has been sent and is
waiting for us. By a good road,
gradual descent, we enter the valley.
We reach our destination and find our
friend awaiting us on the lawn with
her family. After warm greeting we
were introduced to her husband and
children, to winsome little Mollie and
to Harry next older, who came from a
brook near by with face, hands and
clothing bearing evidence of the
moist earth with which he worked in
constructing a dam, his mother af-
firming that five minutes before he
had been with them and span clean"
"Our eldest, you perceive has ele-
waited notionsr" she said, as good
looking boy of fourteen or there
abouts, climbed down from among
the branches of large tree and
sprang lightly to the ground and
soon was conversing with us in an
easy manner, boy evidently with
good heart and of good home train
ing. Bert" said his mother, "has
seat in the tree and is addicted to
taking observations and scribbling
there"
when you came," said he," I was
observing bright red and yellow OBJ
ject in color like a flower I've seen,
but cannot remember the name; it
must have belonged to the animated
creation as it was moving down the
mountain road"
"Perhaps the ladies will like to be
shown their rooms before tea" said
tidy, comfortable looking woman
in the doorway, who proved to be
Mrs. Smith, our landlady.
Our rooms were large, airy and
convenient. The view from our
pleasant windows was restful to
tired souls and bodies.
On returning our friends We'd with
other in offering us seats.-our
choice of those on the piazza or
lawn chairs. By reclamation I was
voted the we'll shaded hammock.
Just as we were nicely settled
there emerged from among the trees,
skirting the road at the base of the
mountain, little girl, evidently the
one previously attracting our atten-
ton. She was carrying quite large
basket of strawberries looking fresh,
and tempting, with their delicate
stems and green husks remaining.
She took the chair Mrs. Carlisle
offered Ler and removing her yellow
sun-bonnet revealed short curls of
dark glossy hair; she was handsome,
healthy child and evidently brave
one. do you often come so far
alone?" the lady asked. 'No MAN,"
was the answer, "but to-day father
and my brother Peter are away, they
always bring the berries and things.
mother said Mrs. Smith would need
these and said I had better come
with them, and she could see me
most of the way" rs your mother
alone now?" "Janey is with her,
mother is all right in the day time
but when night comes and we are
alone she is afraid cause wolves
come out of the woods sometimes
and howl, but now if the men are
away I can shoot if they come, Peter
taught me how"
The children were much interested
at this and came near to listen. Pres
emily Mrs. Smith appeared and said,
did you bring the berries little girls
I'm very glad of them, come right in"
"What is your name?" | asked, as
she passed by me with her basket.
"Polly Andrus," was the answer.
Bert laughed so merrily the girl
turned and looked at him in surprise.
After she had entered the house Mr..
Carlisle said sternly, Bert, 1 sup
posed you were a gentleman" 81
do intend to be, father, but forgot my
manners when l heard her name;
Polyanthus, wasn't it? the name of
the flower l was trying to remember,
my teacher requested me to collect
odd plants and flowers for her and
described the process of preparing
them. l laughed without thinking
or intending offense."
Bert received little wholesome
advice as to general department;
but the name adhered, the children
preferring to call her by it.
When her father or brother had
errands down in the valley after this
Polly would beg to accompany them.
We found her so sensible and good
hearted that Mrs. Carlisle was glad
of her company for the little ones.
The isolated, yet happy Polyanthus,