Year: 1879

| spirlteu Dlack norses, who stamped their
feet and tossed their heads as if impatient
to be off.


A man stood beside the restive creatures,
who yet seemed to be under perfect con.
troll.


There, Jenny Be easy, Kate = he said,
patting the satin-smooth skin and speaking
very much as a mother would to child.


The baggage-master was standing near a
pile Of trunks and parcels


is this your trunk, Miss {? he said, a.
Josie approached him


Yes. | was expecting friends to meet
me, but they are not here. There must be
some mistake


4 know most of the people around here.
What might there names be?'


'Crofton.


why, bless me,you've got off at the wrong
station. They live at North Baybridge, five
miles beyond


When does the next train eave?


Tomorrow morning.


Josie looked the dismay that she certain
ly felt at this announcement.


It's too bad, declare, said the good.
natured official, pitying Josie's evident dis
tress.


Then, as his eye fell upon the owner of
the team, who was looking towards them, he
added


IF this amt a streak of luck Here's
John Manning, their next neighbor He
can take you along just as well as not


John, here's a young woman that's got off
at the wrong station. She wants to go to
Crofton's. l tell her that she can ride with
you.


The young man removed his straw hat
revealing a forehead broad and full, and
whose whiteness contrasted strongly with
the healthful brown of the cheeks be.
low.


4 shall be very happy if the young lady
has no objection to riding with a farmer
and in farmers wagon


The admiration so clearly visible in the
honest blue eyes that met her own, made
Josie's cheeks redden,


IF it will not be too much trouble


As the young man listened to those low,
softly-spokeD words, he felt that nothing the
speaker could ask would be any trouble at
all. Springing to work, he soon improvised
quite comfortable seat for Josie by passing
a rope from one stake to another, Just back
of the board in front, throwing thick, soft
blanket over the whole.


Glad to be released, Jenny and Kate bore
them swiftly along the winding country road,
dotted here and there by farm houses, nest
led down among the trees and shrubbery.
As soon as Josie got little used to it she
enjoyed her elevated and novel position, and
which gave hera fine view of the beautiful
country through which they were passing.


Her companion smiled at her enthusiastic
exclamations and comments, seeming to take
pleasure in the pleasure so frankly and in
nocently expressed.


DO you think you would like to live in
the country? he said, stealing an admiring
glance at the glad young face.


Above all things, responded Josie. That
is, she added after moments pause, 'if
papa could be here, too. | wish he could
be, just for a little while; he would enjoy
it so. Papa WAS brought up on a farm, and
it would seem like old times to him. heard
him say once that he wished he had never
left it,


| had a strong desire when boy to 90 to
the city where | could have chance to get
rich, and not have to work so hard. But
am an only son-an only child since last
winter here the speakers eyes saddened.
'Ipromised father, jus. before he died, that
| wouldn't leave the farm while mother
lived, and don't know that | care to do so
now


i wouldn't, if were in your place, said
Josie, with wise shake of her pretty head.
ITS dreadful hard times in the city. Every
body is groaning about them, which makes
it dismal enough. And as to working hard,
I'd like to know who works harder than pa
does. It's ever so much nicer here.


The honest young fellow, whose heart was
in his eyes, inwardly hoped that she would
always think so.


There's where | live he said aloud,
pointing to house with wide piazza run
ming around two sides, and which looked
very pleasant amid the green verdure that
surrounded it.


Young Manning drew the rens at the
gate, inside of which a pleasant.faced, silver.
haired woman was standing.


Here's the mail, mother he said, tossing
down some papers and pamphlets Been
lonely any? Pm going to take this young
lady to Mr., Crofton's. My mother, Miss
Wilson


The young man took leave of Josie with
a feeling at his heart such as he had never
experienced before


How pretty she is he thought, 'and as
good as pretty, am sure.


What an honest and pleasant facet |
wonder if | shall ever see him again p This
was what she thought.


Josie did see him again and quite often.
The Mannings and Croftons were not only
neighbors, but very intimate Mary Crofton
had been strongly attached to Mrs. Mann
ing's only daughter who died the preceding
winter. She spent good deal of time at her
house and Josie frequently went with her.
Mary was never weary of praising John
he was such good son and so intelligent,
steady and industrious.


John soon got over his shyness with the
city girl, who took so kindly to country
ways that it seemed as if she had always
lived there. He used to walk home with her,
Mary considerably lingering by the gate to
talk with his mother, both well pleased at
the turn affairs were taking. Then there
were rides and walks, pic-nics and social
gatherings, at ali of which John aud Josie
had fashion Of getting off by themselves
a fashion that every one seemed to humor
and understand. And so the happy days
went on, each day binding these young, loy.
ing hearts more closely together. When
Josie returned to the city which was two
weeks after she intended. she had a pleas