New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-22

Although 1t was December in the mountains there
came a day so strangely mild that 1t suggested
spring. A strong. soft wind blew from the SOUTH
the suns rays were distinctly warm, the snow
around the trees melted inpercepttbly until
curious effect produced 1t was as II a tree
stood in a whirlpool OF blue crystals On the noun
tain road and the cleared fields the tracks or Wild
animals birds lost individual characters1ics ana
ran together; the brook which was almost tor
rent in the spring. ran with nsistent roar being
augmented by soft droppings from the shaggy
boughs which arched over it The brook crossed
the road under the bridge within a few Feet or
william Doane's house The house was very OLD
and Of an indescrIbable color or rather lack OF
color It was gloom rather than any tint on the
old walls. The house looked almost so black 1t
was as If it had been scorched by IRE. and In 1acl
the fierce suns and storms and winds or over q
hundred years had burnt IL Ike fire. Stll IL was
stauch Il had been built by artisan who
worked with the best OF his strength The roof did
not sag except for slight depression around tne
central chimney. The roof was scaled with black
shingles ike some old sea monster. but 1t did not
leak William Doane cared for the old house as
tenderiv as IL il had been soma live thing NOT
black single tapped on the roof IN northern sAle
but the man prompt in fastening IL not = IsaA
when the wintry snow began to melt was heslsclso-
The house ancient as II would outlasT the man
whose house OF life had such strenuous care Tor
its earthly preservation
And Willie D0ane exercised the same zsaIouS
protection over all the simple. even primitive rur-
ufsh I'M
hood and were in fact her marriage treasures.
There was a wealth OF old tables and dressers and
bedsteads in the clean. icy rooms. William cleaned
house springs and autumns. as scrupu4ous4S as
woman. The old carpets sagged the line on Ins
small level under the frown OF the mountain BACK
Of the house every May and September. Every lncn
Of woodwork was scrubbed William purcnased
paint and kept all the old wainscoting well Writ
ened: the windows shens ike sheets Of emerald
from faithful polishing. the unused beds were even
mounds OF white linen, the house was marvsi OF
exquisite order and cleanliness, and an Dr9usEs
about by one He, however, Aved oLI[ =
two rooms Of 1.-THE kitchen and the ae1oinns 4e1
the heat was intense for few hours even u tHt
northern country Then ne would HS 0or opeS
a window a little way, and sit beside II Win aus
~ ne opDesiJe mountain and the grandeur
OF the fluctuations with which II rose IrOIn h-S Id
The house although cottage, with the ceiling ing
OF the upper rooms slantlns Win LLS 80 - oHs
time after the marriage OF William Doane parents
sccommodated TWO families The large kitchen and
living room had been divided and the great hearth
cut in two. There were two square rooms 90 u
either side OF the front door. and each FANNY tsse
one and it was the same with the chambers: ALter
the Old people mad gone the son WlI.lan ta1,
used the whole house, but the kItcne4 par
manned. indeed each kitchen, although oAly no.
"a Ftie the souIIWest exposure which William
anted in his solitary estate de mad ms nl l4y
his ancient table which served him Ter cooking ana
dining. and another old mahogany caro- taq ~
PooA 5oots we're piled thereon in orderly fashion
Wfuiam literally knew MS small library by heart
He had lived alone for fifteen years ever sIaSe
Grace Edwards had gone away aIler ms Hio'A74
Grace Edwards was the daughter Of farmer arm in i9
LittIeheId. twelve miles down country, Sne h4o
come when very young not Inore ian s's' - -
assist his mother IN her house2ole QuCIes- 100 49,
her father married 10 woman VINO gruo5eQI. nSI
ana youns anu si i .o 57I,1sric service Of that
E-t,,
speedily very fond OF the girl, had peJted anu
eeed5Ied her and come TO think Of her as her own.
will which gave every thing 70 lhe stepLhoSi.r anu
after Grace mad lived with himself and ais mo.ias
three years, and was twenty year On "a - ne
small gentle and fair, and yet with a qulcS nash
and sedste as 10 demeanor ana of an awkward,
shambling length 81 limb and neck adore1 neI;
osI2rf LOT + Te ribts 10 his tHy income He kept
Chickens and turkeys ana sold them with yege-
tables, TO a hotel about three miles distant tie IN
ma 1arr OF the country. He purchased a parlOr
orFan and paid for Grace's music lessons in the
furnished up the ancient vehicle In whiea be ear
home Nothing could exceed the pride and JOY
ShiG ,bs avs am s S'h caTefSy ryas his horse
which was somewha. ski1tish. and realized the
Tes.rinS rbat ms fair darling az a eirI was his
the soft fair face beside him his own seemed 70
lose fts characteris4 and reflect hers mirror
or love At those times the mans tace above the
long scrawny neck was marvel nut - 81 - Nv
always the long neck and the aWSW1rdhess or ne
lover She had agreed 70 marry ei'n, bgt snc "a
not like TO look AZ him. She had spiritual m
clination toward this other faithful soul wno leVe
her but she also had physical repalslou which
har soti vggla lot stroug enough % conquer Will
lam about. his strenuous work wore mo- Collar 40
fbara Va something about tHe strangely hur1hle
and pathetir combination 90 long uFeA. Nful.ihent
Adams apple. collar. aud towns, patient nroWa
ewes which frritated her uuaccouufRolv She co0id
not aIwavs conceal t although she tried
LAT UrUffamfa = sharp