Year: 1873

Jest you walk in and make yourself
to hum whilst l call Ralph, He's my
nephew, down from college, rusticruiting
round awhile for his narves. It'll do
him good to drive you over


This was our first knowledge of the ex-
istence of such person as farmer Hills
nephew. And here it will be well, per-
haps, to break the thread of my discourse
and explain how we came to make the
acquaintance of Farmer Hill himself.
Some six months previous, father and
mother had gone abroad for their health,
leaving Grace and myself, together with
cousin Frank, to tho care Of Arabella.
our diguifed elder sister. Arabella was
a widow still in her weeds, little prim
naturally, and with an outer-crust Of
coldness which grief and black robes had
failed to soften, yet so true.heartcd and
conscientious that our parents felt entire
ly safe in intrusting us to her during
their years absence. They had talked
of taking Grace with them, but we could
not bear to be separated, for we were
twins, Grace and | you would never
guess it, we were so unlike, Grace being
short and plump, with face like ripe
peach, and paish golden hair and the
purring ways of pet kitten, while | am
just her opposite in looks and tempera-
ment, and far more of trial, [ fear, to
Arabella's patience. But Arabella's
greatest trial in those days was our cousin
Frank. Dear child, she would not for
the world have been trial to any one,
but it was just as impossible for her to
conform to Arabela's strict notions Of
propriety as it would be for a humming.
bird to put on the stateliness Of the swan.
She was nothing unless she could be her.
self. and Arabclla was forever trying to
remodel her. Left an orphan before she
was ten years old, she had been adopted
by dotipg aunt who after doing all in
her power to spoil the girl-fortunately
one not easily spoilt-died, and left her
heir to neat little fortune. Since then
she had been with us, and We oil loved
her in spite OF the fact that whatever she
was. she was the center of attraction.


We had been boarding all winter with
Arabella's mother.in-law, stylish, mat
ronly woman, who, having for Arabella's
sake, consented to take US into he. fami.
ly. felt it her duty to devote herself to
our entertainment. And a gay season
had been the result-reading, receptions,
and parties following each other in so
quick succession that by spring we were
heartily tired OF fashionable life


How pleasant it would be if We could
only 90 into the country for while, said
Frank, alf.burying her face in bunch
of Arbutus which, bought that morning
Of little flower.girl at the door, had
been whispering to us all day o: the far
away woods where its home had been.


Why not take lodge in the wilder.
ness and try housekeeping p said |, with
sudden inspiration.


Wouldn't it be spleldid?' cried Frank,
catching at the idea with enthusiasm.


Splendid ! echoed Grace warmly.


My dear girls, you Go not know what
you are talking about said Arabella in
alarm


Indeed We do. said Frank | for
one, am hungry for country air


And |"


And = chimed Grace aud myself.


But there are so many Inconvenience
attending country lite,' expostulated AR.
bella, seeing that Frank at least was in
downrioht pornest


kerosene oil. for instance, said the
mother-in-law aggravatingly.


And such swarms Of mosquitoes
added Arabella.


i am sure we have mosquitoes enough
in town. said Frank quickly; and as
for kerosene oil I'll agree to keep the
lamps in order


Let's go " said | with growing zeal.


Let's go' echoed Grace. And SO
overwhelming we're the arguments we
brought to bear on Arabella, that by the
time the discussion ended she had yielded
her consent and before month went by
we found ourselves actually at housekeep.
ing in picturesque cottage not far from
Dexter Station. AS for the locality of
Dexter, it will not be indicated on the
maps yet awhile, there being not more
than six houses in the place. all told; but
for that we liked it none the less. OF
course there were inconvrniences. espe.
cially for the first two days, when, owing
to the non arrival Of our kitchen.ware
and China, we we're somewhat puzzled to
know how to furnish forth our board. but
they only served to add zest to the enter.
prise.


Jolly, isn't it? said |, presiding as
gracefully as possible at a battered peach
can in place Of teapot.


1t is just fun said Grace, using her
fingers for fork as she helped herself to
sardines.


/ wish you could find some more la.
dylike word, my dear remarked Arabel.
la, calmly slipping her tea from terra
Gotta vase, and managing to maintain her
native dignity in spite Of the fact of be-
ing seated on an Inverted washtub


Jolly doesn't half express it, said
Frank, taking lingering looks at the land.
scape US she buttcred her bread with
penkniie :; it is blessedness ITSELF and
when once We were fairly put to'rights,'
even Arabella was ready to agree with
her.


One day il was found necessary for
some Of us to go to town to order house.
hold supplies, and as Grace had head
ache and Frank was still too much 10
love with the country to care for a sight
of the city, Arabella and | decided to
take the morning express and make the
needed purchases. We had fully ex-
pected to be at home before evening, but
in one way and another we we're detained
until there was barely time to catch the
six o'clock train. 1t was only an hour s
ride. however, and with a delicious sense
of rest we shook off the dust of the city
and gave ourselves up so thoroughly to
the pleasant anticipation of soon being at
home that we scarcely heard the station