Middletown transcript., 1903-07-04

eli lTOlu GAC - pAeeot
rippled the silvery surface
of q tiny lake as it sparkied IN
the sunshine, and whispered gay
tidings among the stately trees.
The bright heads Of the flowers
bowed humbly before the magic
sceptre Of this gentle son oi
Eolns, as he, on invisible wings,
waited their sweet perfume over
the long meadow grasses, toward
the dark and gloomy pines on
the brow Of q distant hill. A line
Of purple mountains extended
along the eastern horizon. Soft
ly swelling wooded hills enclosed
an oblong valley of quiet, peace
full beauty. A bright mountain
stream threaded its way among
the fair meadow lands, glistening
now and again, as it came into
view, like a silver jewel IN an
emerald setting. The harvest
ers we're busy in the meadows,
and cattle were grazing on the
quiet hillsidss. Here and there,
a house peeped out from among
the trees, and thin, blue columns
of smoke ascended into the sum
mer air.
Near the centre of the valley
stood a large red mill, whose
busy wheel made the most OF the
long days, and FLASHED, FLASHED,
from dawn to dusk. Over all
bent a warm, sunny sky, from
which the June blueness had not
yet escaped. The cloud shadows
chased each other over the noun
tain crests where an eternal 81
lence seemed to reign.
On large, fat elevation at
the western extremity OF the
valley, stood a big, green-shut-
tered, white frame farm house.
A wide, vine-covered piazza ex-
tended along the front, and COM
manded a fine view of the valley,
the adjacent hills, and the mag
nifcent mountain chain beyond.
Two gigantic elms, one at either
end of the piazza, threw WaVer-
ing shadows on the tender green
of the lawn, wherein were beds
of pansies, heliotrope, verbenas,
geraniums, and a few June roses
blooming beyond their allotted
time. A fragrant honeysuckle
clambered up among the wood
bine which shaded the piazza,
and through the long summer
days sent its delicious perfume
through the open windows into
the pleasant rooms.
At the right Of the house the
ground dipped suddenly into a
green, sunny dell, in whose
bosom sparkled the dimpling
waters Of a little lake whereon
rocked an old canoe. At the
right, and toward the rear OF the
house, but hidden from view by
fir copse, stood an old fashioned
well, whose crystal depths were
Of mountain origin, and which
might, indeed, have been the
nectar of the gods. The circular
curb Of worn, yellowish stone
contrasted wildly with the ver-
dure by which it was surrounded.
Above these delicate tints loomed
the dull, gray beam from which
depended
saThe old oaken bucket, the iron
bound bucket,
The moss covered bucket which
hung in the we'll
Between its frequent plunges
into the limpid water-which re-
fected the blue sky with its
snowy clouds-it stood on the
yellow curb with an easy, friendly
dignity peculiar to itself. A huge
outrageous maple stood at a
little distance from the well,
while a little farther on was the
finest orchard in all the country
side.
In the pleasant dining-room OF
the spacious farm house, q dainty
breakfast table stood, evidently
awaiting the pleasure OF those
who had not yet bonored 1t with
their attention. The snowy
aapery, pretty china, and fra
grant flowers alone made it a
very attractive board, but when
the savory, substantial breakfast
was added, it would indeed, prove
quite irresistible. An exceed
ingly pretty girl entered the
room, and crossing over to the
table which she had carefully
arranged but little ago, sur.
veyed it critically for a moment,
then bestoWing upon it an ap-
proving little nod, passed to one
Of the open windows, and lin.
gered in thoughtful contempla
tion, while her eyes wandered
over the fair scene without.
Che ;c a 1ittIn above the med.