Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-04


 some Sunday and have look at the dear old place."
 A little breeze sprang up as they as- cended, stirring the leaves in the ap- ple-orchards, and causing the foliage of two ancient poplars that lowered where the road forked to gisten here and there like quicksilver.
 Do you see those trees?" exclaimed Jack Parmelee, suddenly turning to his weary wagon load. "Well, from the way they act we're goin' to have rain afore tomorrow mornin', an mighty big blessin' it'll be tool"
 A peacock with spread tail paraded it's vanity before them as they passed this point, and as they were bending to the right gave a long, raucous cry which was the occasion of a vast amount of amusement among many of the young people who had never heard the birds peculiar call before.
 "Now, we're sure of it," said Jack Parmelee, "Mister Peacock's an arl- thority on the rain question. It's luck all around-better hops an bet ter pickin'."
 "What goodll the rain do the hops now?" one of the prospective pick CTS inquired. ''They ain't goin' to grow any more, be they?"
 It'll cool the air an keep 'em from mouldin'. I've been mighty scart of 'em for a day or two," an- swered the driver. "Such a spell O heat raises thunder with 'em some times"
 Several hop, fields had already been passed, and there was now a yard upon either side of the road. Everyone began to regard the vines, each pole with it's hops like swarm of bees at the top, with an increased interest. When these fields had been left behind Mamie Becraft and a number of others commenced cram ing their necks as though they thought that their destination must be in sight.
 "There's the house!" cried one. ! sI can see the hop-kiln!" ex- claimed another, and in spite of the uncertain motion of the wagon over the stony road several mounted the seats for the purpose of obtaining a better view. ..
 "Yes," Jack Parmelee remarked. "we're about there, and reckon sup peril be ready" .... This announcement was hailed with 1 various comments of satisfaction. The jaded horses seemed to realize that they too were about to be re- warded for their part in the tire some journey, and struck into a brisker walk. Everyone forgot, for the instant, the heat and the discom- l fort, and became animated and alert. Rossiter caught something of the ex- citement of the moment, and rose partly from his seat as the wagon ap- preached q large, white farmhouse set midway in spacious yard. In 1 front were several tall locust trees. In the rear, upon the nearer side, stood the barns, the hop-kiln with it's queer ventilator upon the top, | and various other outbuildings. Be- yond, there appeared to be garden and orchard. while directly opposite was huge hop field.
 As they entered the yard robust, smooth-shaven man came out upon the piazza at the side of the house, closely followed by two women. The man, who was in shirt sleeves and wore ribbonless wide-brimmed hat of straw, paused with his lips parted in smile, his hands upon his hips, and his feet spread wide, and sur- veyed the wagonload. The women, sisters evidently, slender, kindly faced, and rather short of statue, shaded their eyes and examined the newcomers with curiosity and inter est.
 There's Mir. and Mrs. Merton,' ,' said Mrs. Becraft to Jim. "That's Mrs Merton this way; the others her sis ter, Miss Parmelee, who lives with 'em. They's daughter, but don't see her."
 "All right, Jack?" asked MT. Mer. ten, descending the porch steps.
 "Yes, all right" returned Parmelee leaping from his perch and giving himself shake.
 ''Must "a had pretty warm an dusty drive"
 "Golly, guess we did!"
 "Get right down, all O you," saic MT. Merton. e'AIrs. Merton will look after the women, and Jack, here will take care of the men. Hey boys!" he cried, motioning to two farm-hands who were standing il the door way of<the horse barn, thur ry up and give us lift"
 ''It was a great relief to Rossite1 to stretch his cramped limbs. As h' glanced about, he saw evidences o: thrift everywhere, in the neat yard in the trim sheds, in the overfowine mows, and in the recently painted rambliugly spacious house. His vag abond experience had trained hi: eye in these matters, and he could usually read from the exteriors wha treatment he was likely to receive Mere he knew that he should far' we'll. He was already glad that h. had decided to come.
 , Having seen the hop-wagon unload ed and the. team led away by one O. the farm hands, and having watched the women and girls disappear il Mrs Merton'S wake RoSSiter Uhirlet