Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-12
NeAap1erM N

 on the journey. because, as I'd asked him, he would have done it if possible. We went back part of the way we had come the night before in the same grand kind of train, as far as Cleve- land, which we reached in the morn ing quite early. We got out there, for no fine trains like that stop at the village near which MT. Brett's cous- ins live, and he said the best thing VIC could do would be to drive to the farm in a motor car It was about forty miles away, but with good car, which he could easily get, we wouldn't be more than two hours, allowing for bad roads. If we didn't take a motor, we shoUld have to walt half the morn Ing for slow train, and then have drive at the end of six or seven miles in some kind of a country conveyance, When 1 hesitated thinking of eX- pense, Mir. Brett explained that among his many other occupations he had once acted as a chauffeur, therefore, know ing the tricks of the trade and being sort of professional himself, he could always hire a motor at nominal price. This settled my doubts. We drove in cab to a hotel, where he left me with Vivace, while he went to search for a car. Presently he came back with smart gray thing which matched my clothes, and not only was there gray chauffeur to go with 1t, but gray holland coat for me, and gray silk hood, with lace curtain 1 do think they do things well in America. looked forward 10 seeing the coun. try between Cleveland and 4.risto, which is the name of the town nearest to the Valley farm because except for the drives 1 had had near Newport knew nothing at all of the real country fin America. 1 had an idea that we should pass some fine country houses and see a number of pretty little uestling villages.
 The name of Aristo was rather i'm pressive and classical sounding l thought, and had visions of meeting on the way pretty girls driving or rid ing, and good looking, well groomed men such as I had met always in the country round Newport. But as we went on and on I was disappointed. The scenery itself was lovely, rich and peaceful, with groves of maple trees which would have been quite new to me if l hadn't seen few in the east. But the villages were blota rather than beauty spots, and we saw only peasants and farm people.
 Mir Brett was driving the car, with me beside him, while tho chauffeur sat behind, and I made some such remark to him before I stopped to remember that his relatives were farm people. could have bitten my tongue then, but he didn't saem to be offended.
 Outside the towns i'll the west there are few of what you would call gentle. folk" he said, with just the faintest emphasis of good natured scorn for English prejudice; nor are there any country houses as you understand the name in England. Here people live in the country to till the land and to live by tilling it, yet they don't call them selves peasants either. It isn't that they're snObbish and want to seem tC be what they are not, don't think that for moment. But they-Wcll, l won't try 10 describe them. Many people from the old world would never under stand what they really are or their point of view, but you will, Lady Betty. You are quick and sympathetic and intelligent and when l ask you to define for me the difference between the farmers of Ohio, as typiiied by my cousins and their neighbors in Summer county, l shall be surprised if you don't exactly hit the nail on the head They'll surprise you a little at first, warn you. and for about ten minutes of them. But count on you to see the point in spite of all your traditions" What have my traditions got to dc with it?" I asked.
 "Wait and see"
 I laughed. Well, I only wish knew what my traditions are" said "I suppose I ought to know, but don't think 1 do.'
 You may feel them pricking up and down your spine for bit, while you're getting used to a new order of things at the Valley farm answered Mir Brett And yet don't know. shall be enormously interested in watching The effect upon you before I-have tc say goodby."
 forgot everything else he had been saying when I heard that last sen tence.
 will you have to say goodby soonT I asked him in crestfallen voice.
 He didn't speak for a minute, per baps on account of a series of bumps in the road.
 At last he said, "To tell you the truth, Lady Betty, I should like tc stop and pay my cousins a little visit butt don't know If I have a right to-
 ''Oh, why notT' I asked. Wouldn't they be delighted to keep youf"
 Perhaps. hope so. But what about your
 If it depended one bit on me, you'd make q long visit'
 Wouldn't you really mind seeing me hanging around sometimes? Just al meals, you know-or to take you l a-iro ouaa i'm