The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-01-28

Mrs. Otis, with her six daughters,
had gone to Wheatlands to spend the
summer.
eyes, Uncle John, she said to her
brother-in-law. IT have six daugh-
ters of manageable age. Pity me
I pray daily for strength to help me
bear such burden. The winter has
been for me campaign of husband
hunting for them. This summer /
have come into the country to re-
cruit my energies. =
"Umph ! Well, Nellie, I've let you
the place at low figure, and I hope
you'll enjoy the summer"
Uncle John rose and took his hat.
He lived half a mile from Wheat
lands, with its comfortable old farm
house and fallow lands, where Mrs.
Otis had just taken up her abode;
and, as he departed, he observed:
"I'll come over occasionally and
take the girls for ride around the
country a bit.'
Eyes, do ~ said Mrs. Otis.
The suggestion pleased her family,
through her fatigue and care. She
had an idea that Uncle John was rich.
For forty years he had been sowing
and reaping in that quiet place, living
in the simplest and most inexpensive
manner, and it seemed probable. that
he had saved a large amount of
money. Nell, who was "merry and
glad,' with the care free heart of
fifteen, and Bess, who was flowing
and giving" TOO generous and ten
der-hearted to give anybody
moments pain-pronounced Wheat
lands delightful but the pretty
brunette twins, Olive and Ora, who
were separated from the fattery of
their beaux-Laura, who was always
dissatisfied and Mattine, upon whom
the heat and burden of the day fell
heavily-did not like their new home.
Don't complain to me of Wheat
lands being dull and lonesome" said
Mrs. Otis tanning herself resignedly.
81 feel as if I'd done the best thing
possible for you all in coming here.
We couldn't bear living in town
another day until you have some
new dresses, and 1 must get rest be-
fore we see another soul" /"
"I'm content" said Nell rocking
her kitten.
"And l." said Bess. There's
such lovely landscape from my
bedroom window, and the birds sing
so sweetly, and there's wild roses
coming into blossom all around the
gate"
"Your uncle offered to come over
and take you out riding, girls. You
can go and see the country, and by
and-by, when the guests come to the
seaside hotels, perhaps"
What's that 7" interrupted Laura,
in a tone of horror.
There had ambled to the gate
large, antiquated buggy, SO dilapi-
dated and altogether grotesque that
it had long been the laughing stock
of those familiar with it. To the
eyes of the London-bred ladies, the
vehicle, to which was attached
meek, fat, white horse, was frightful.
DO people here ride in such a
thing as that?" cried Ora.
"Hush? 1t is your uncle, and he
is COmins. ;fl.n said Mrs. Otis family.
Heavens r. Look at his coat p
cried Olive.
The garment referred to was as an
cient and queer as his carriage; but
apparently quite unconscious of any
thing peculiar in his apparence, Uncle
John, unbent as an Indian with his
sixty odd years, walked into the sit
ting room.
"It's nice day, 1 thought I'd
come and take one of the girls for a
ride," he said.
Olive and Ora hastily escaped from
the room, Matte bent silently over
her sewing, Laura shifted, Nell
giggled; only Bess spoke up queenly
and well:
"How kind of you uncle; I shall
be delighted to go. have been
longing all week for drive"
Bess was, perhaps, the plainest of
the well favored sisters, but she had
a radiant color, kindling brown eyes,
and certain dainty set of the head,
which seemed to find favor in Uncle
Johns sight. He looked down with
a sudden twinkle in his eyes.
"You're my girl. Come, then r.
She came home from the first ride
with her hands full of pinks and
water-lilies, to go again and again on
these delightful rides with Uncle
John, always jubilant, caring nothing
for her sisters ridicule. Even her
mother said plaintively:
"What should you do, Bess, if
some of our town friends should come
this way and see you in that horrid
carriage 7"
ct should bow to them, !" answered
Bess coolly; which she accordingly
did when she came face to face with
the St. Elmo family. In their
glittering vehicle.
What lark - cried Eustace,
falling back among the cushions in
inextinguishable laughter, after he
had passed Bess.
The color did deepen in her face
as she met the young mans eyes, but
she hid it in the huge bunch of water
lilies in her hand, and Uncle John
smiled, shrewdly.