New Britain herald., 1915-12-13
Through the Fields to Putnam
 Manor.


 By the way, Madge, shall we get some sandwiches and fruit before we start? There's lit>le shop across from the station. You wait here and I'll go lack for .them.'' Nonsense, Dicky," retortcd. We ate such a heavy breakfast that l k1ow I shan't want anything to eat | null late in the afternoon Are you nungry?''
 II should say not, now. But l was afraid you might want something be- fore we get back to Putnam Manor.
 What is Putnam Manor?"
 The old inn I told ;. you about, where they serve the best meals in the country. It dates back to revolu- tionary times. I believe George Wash ington watercd his horse there.
 'Oh, Dicky, how bsurd you are.''
 Well, isn't that as much claim to distinction as some of those old places havc?" demanded Dicky But, really, this is~,a great old place, big house with glass widowed tower on top, set in a grove of beautiful pines. Therc are immense fireplaces in most uf the rooms, Gnd now that the sum- mer rush isn't on we can have our
 
 of the log fire in the great hall" =
 What a wonderful picture, Dicl1y. Are you sure the place is open now?"
 "Of course. The old landlord, Ft rsman is a fixture there. He has run the place for years. Bully old chap, regular mine host of the inn sort of fellow. Lots of the men I know come down here and stay with I ho Ia hiS walls covered with drawings the fel- lows have done for him. There are two or three of mine there, I guess. He never takes anything down.
 'Dicky! How perfectly thrilling! I know I shall enjoy. this day better than any we have ever had
 He's quite a judge of antiques, old F'orsman, regular antique himself, by the way. He spends all his spare cash iC fitting up the place in keeping with its old-timc flavor. He has one old sideboard in the dining room he paid $500 for. In the barroom which is exactly like an old taproom, of revo- lutionary times, he has all sorts of old swords and f1intlocks and other colonial junk. It's as good as a museum to see, his collection is''
 How long since you have been t,ere?"
 oh. early last summer, just before l met you. I have been so busy since then I haven't had time to do any of tho things l used to do." He grinned nlischievously. 1T don't know why I d;dn't bring you out here last summer at that, wasn't quite sure you'd like it ] guess"
 "Shut Your Eyes,"
 You might have known I would joy anything like that" I returned. ''But Dicky,'' I really think you ought to go back to the station and inquire whether the place is open or not. Anything might have happened in this time"
 If that isn't. just like a woman," Dicky exclaimed with every evidence of exasperation. Spoil everything with demands to look up this or find out that. I tell you the place is open, has been for years Come along through this stile and forget your troubles for a while.' s. Dicky was evidently bent upon sur prising me with some picturesque fa- vcred nook of his, so I resolved to ask no more questions until he re- vealed it in all it. glory. We went down the path into the | woods which, bare as the trees were | of leaves, had the effect of closing us
 "This must be like the forest rrimeval in the summer time,'' | said.
 Tt is,' Dicky returned. Now shut your eyes and take my hand. Don't olen them until I tell you.'' .~
 Obeyed his whim, and he led me a few feet further down the path, tHen made an abrupt turn, and talk ir g me by the shoulders placed me in the position he wished.
 Now look he said proudly.
 I opened my eyes, gave one glance, and exclaimed in wonder: ''Dicky! I never say anything so beautiful in my lice!" :. ,... .&.;,
 At my feet was a brook, with water l S. clear that I could see every clean pebble in it's bed. There was not a 1 weed, leaf, or stick on it's surface to 1 mar it's clearness. The sun shining upon it's nipples gave them the effect of dancing, and as l watched the stream flow swiftly by, and heard it's m,,rmur I felt that I had seen the mostt beautiful bit of nature in my ex- 1 perience.
 Well! l guess IennySOn'S DrOOk had nothing on this. Eh, Madge?"
 Dicky's voice broke in on my silent admiration.s"..# ,<'.ar.r ~,n
 Let us walk up as far as we can, I said enthusiastically.
 That's just what I want to do, Dicky returned II know every bent and curve of it. Many a sketch I've made here Iss fine now, but yol simply must see it in summer, wher the. wild flowers are thick along it! hanks and the woods are green"
 Tt must be wonderful" I agreed heartily. and we wandered along thu i L.nk of the stream with it's number