Year: 1878



 It was in the latter part of August that | became necessary for some one in the office II which 1 was engaged to go to St. Louis to at tend to important business. Everything seem ed to point to me as the fit person, for l under stood the particular business better than any one else. I felt that ought to go, but l did not altogether like to de it. I went. home ant Euphemia and talked over the matter far in to the regulation sleeping-hours.

 There were very good reasons why we should go Ger, of course, would not think of taking such a journey without Euphemia). In tht first place, it would be of advantage to me, il my business connection, to take the trip, anC then it would be such charming journey fol us. We had never been west of the Allegha nies, and nearly all the country we would set would be new to us. We would come home by the great lakes and Niagara, and the pros pect was delightful to both of us. But ther we would have to leave Rudder Grange for al least three weeks and how could we do that

 This was indeed difficult question to an swer. Who could take care of our garden our poultry, our horse and COW, and all theil complicated belongings? The garden was ir admirable condition. Our vegetables were coming in every day in just that fresh and sat isfactory condition altogether unknown te people who buy vegetables for which I had labored 30 faithfully, and about which 1 ha6 had so many cheerful anticipations. As te Euphemia's chicken-yard, with Euphemis away,-the subject was too great for us. We did not even discuss it. But we would give up all the pleasures of our home for the chance of this most desirable excursion, if we could but think of some one who would come and take care of the place while we were gone. Rudder Grange could not run itself for three weeks =

 We thought of every available person. Old John would not do. We did not feel that we could trust him. We thought of several oi our friends; but there was, in both our minds, a certain shrinking from the idea of handing over the place to any of them for such alength of time. For my part, said, would rather leave Pomona in charge than any one else but, then, Pomona was young and a girl. Eu. phemia agreed with me that she would rather trust her than any one else, but she also agreed in regard to the disqualifications. So, when went to the office the next morning, we had fully determined to go on the trip, if we could find some one to take charge of the place while we were gone. When 1 returned from the office in the afternoon, 1 had agreed to go to St. Louis. By this time, had no choice in the matter, unless wished to interfere very much with my owp interests. We were to start in two days. If in that time we could get any enc to stay at the place. very we'll if not, Pomona must assume the charge. It is surprising how greatly relieved we felt when we were obliged to come to this conclusion. The arrangement was exactly what we want ed, and now that there was no help for it, our consciences were easy.

 We felt sure that there would be no danger to Pomona. Lord Edward, our dog, would be with her, and she was young persan who was extraordinarily we'll able to take care of herself. Old John, the Indian, would be within call in case she ueeded him, and bor- rowed a bulldog to be kept in the house at night. Pomona herself was more than satis- fled with the plan.

 We made out, the night before we left, a long and minute series of directions for her guidance in household, garden and farm mat ters, and directed her to keep careful record of everything noteworthy that might occur She was fully supplied with all tie necessa- ries of life, and it has seldom happened that a young girl has been left in such responsible and independent position as that in which we left Pomona. She was very proud of it.

 Our journey was ten times more delightful than we had expected it would be, and success full in every way and yet. although we en- jOyed every hour of the trip, we were no soon- CT fairly on our way heme than we became so wildly anxious to get there, that we reached Rudder Grange on Wednesday, whereas we had written that we would be home on Thurs day. We arrived early in the afternoon and walked up from the station, leaving our bag gage ta be sent in the express wagon. AS we approached our dear home, we wanted to run, we were so eager to see it.

 There it was, the same as ever. lifted the gate-latch; the gate was locked. We ran to the carriage gate; that was locked, too. Just then noticed placard on the fence; it was not printed, but the lettering was large, ap- parently made with ink and brush. It read: