Norwich bulletin., 1911-08-19

Clara Speedwell had called and sum.
mer vacations were the subject of con-
varsation with Janet Goodwine; and
as Clara was intellectual rather than
fashionable, she was seeking a seclud-
ed spot where she could commune
with Nature and find real rest.
Il want to find a place that is just
interesting to me" she said, "a place
isolated, unattractive to the many and
attractive only to the few, Janet!''
Il think The Bugle had an adver-
tisement for summer boarder," said
Janet that might appeal to you, Clara.
1t appeared so funny to me. 1 remem-
Der it, Only one boarder wanted. In
secluded section where there are high
hills. glorious sunsets, fine springs Of
fresh water, and piney atmosphere;
and a woman of cheerful disposition
to add smiles to those we already
have What do you think of that?"
THAT appeals to me because it IS
search of. and makes conditions 1 can
meet. Get the paper and see what tie
address is. please" said Clara.
Janet scurried round and found The
Bugle in the pantry where it was laid
to keep out the ants, because printer
ink was said to be better for that than
cucumber rinds; but when Janet
brought the paper she said she had
tried that thoroughly enough to know
it did not work.
The advertisement was readily found
and the address was Job Jackson, ESQ.,,
Hil1ville, VT, r. F. D.
Clara felt sure that this was intend
ed for her, as it seemed to meet her
case to T; and there was such al
assurance of patience in that name of
Job she decided to write to the adj
vertiser and the postmaster at Hill
vile at the same time, which she did
Job Jackson was not slow in reply
ing. This.is what he had to say:
Dear Miss Speedwell-The advertise
ment was rather eccentric because We
are eccentric people; and the country
is a wild country and we have no
near neighbors. Wife always feels s
if she would like TO have a CHEEKY, SEN
sible gal around in summer who likes
wild flowers, good cream, sensible folks
and healthy atmosphere: and if she
is sweet-spirited we give her the best
accommodations we have for five dol
lars q week. and she can do about as
she pleases all around the place with
no one to disturb her.
I like this letter. said Clara, and it
seems as if / was designed to meet
it's every requirement. 1t assures per-
feet freedom.
What, Are you going out among
strangers in lonely place like that,
just because of your idea that alone
with nature comes near feeling at home
with God?' exclaimed Janet
Il really think this will prov an
ideal place. said Clara; ''but when I
hear from the postmaster, that will
settle it,
In a few days came the letter from
the P. M; and he wrotes
Dear Miss Speedwell-The Jackson's
are respectable heather, and you would
be safe enough at their place, for no
one goes that way often enough to dis
turb the varmin; and the hollow is full
of wild critters who recognize no noise
except the noises the Jackson's make;
and 1 guess they are not very noisy
folks. They're honest and honorable
enough-an as queer as a Jack rabbit.
If you want to locate several miles
from Nowhere and be wrapped in the
silence of nature as you express it,
that's the spot
This letter was read to Janet, and
the announcement made by Clara that
she had decided to see that country
and try adding smiles to the daily life
of the Jacksons-that she should leave
for Hillville in one week.
Clara got away on a foggy morning,
and after a hundred mile ride by ~ail
and ten mile ride across country by
trolley she reached Hillville and be-
gan to look for the buff horse with a
dark name and tail, and she was not a
long time in locating him in an I'D
chaise with a middle-aged, 1ean-look-
ing man beside him, with long chin
whiskers that almost matched the color
of the animal, and in the chaise sat a
motherly appearing woman who looked
as if she had walked out of a fashion
plate fifty years old.
When Clara approached them to in
auire if this was Mr.. Jackson's car
that hnfh Of
them knew how to smile and had more
than half guessed her errand.
Miss Clara Speedwen,' said MFR.
Jackson before Clara could get a
chance to make an inquiry: and she
bowed gracefully and replied:
Yes, sir; and / suppose this is Mr..
Jackson
I'm Job Jackson every day in The
week and I brought Hannah along TO
make it pleasant for you, for young
women don't enjoy riding with strange
men alone in a strange country. Let
me make you acquainted with my wife
she's the best woman God ever made
and the best wife a man ever had on
this EARTH" and Clara grasped Mrs.
Jackson's hand and felt that it was the
hand of an honest, nature-loving and
heaven specting soul
Clara was soon beside Mrs. jackson
in the chaise while Job sat on a box
in front. and when he said Cad ap!
Buckskin!" the horse started on a jog
trot and the chaise began to bounce
around like a small boat on rough
water. and both women with their
arms through strong loops steadied
themselves and tried to chat pleasant
ly; but the motion and jouncing sadly
interfered with anything which ap-
preached cheerful converse tion so
they rode in silence most of the way
through narrow, -embowered coun-
try roads, up hill and down. which
Clara afterwards described to Janet as
''snhways through sylvan beauty
The Beb-whites were crying more
wet,' the woodpeckers were tapping the
trees, the birds singing joyfully and the
squirrels running along the walls in
tender you can put the ounces back