Year: 1872




Harry Grey was plowing away on the
last land " Of a twenty acre lot, an d
feeling very comfortable over the thought
that his spring plowiug was almost done,
when he saw his neighbor, Mark Trow.
bridge, driving slowly past, in company
with his wife, who was seldom to be
seen away from home


Hang me, il don't run over and
see Lucy" said Harry, as he hit his
horses smart cut with the whip, to
hurry them to the cad Of the bout
"Ihoy arc going to town, and will be
gone three hours, at least, by the way
old Mark drives. can stay two hours
and half with Lucy, aud get back
again before they como home.


Aud the young man hitched his team
to the fanco, over which he bounded
and walked away to tho house on a
double quick, as though every minute
now was doubly precious.


lie was almost out of breath when
he entered the house, which caused his
mother to inquire rather anxiously what
was the matter. Without needing her
question he pulled of his brogans, leav.
ing them lying in the middle of the
room-a thing his wondering mother
was sure she had never seen him do
before. Then he surprised her still
more By running, rather leaping, up
stairs, three steps at time, to his own
room. Here he pulled on a pair of calf
skin boots, took off his blue frock, and
substituted therefor a white linen coat.


1t was raw day in April aud farmer
Trowbridge, when he started for town.
had put on his overcoat. But iIarry's
blood WAS at fever heat, and he i'm.
aglned the linen coat aud straw hat
would be just the thing After filling
his pockets with chestuuts whcrewilh
to bribc Eddie Trowbridge into secrecy
he stole to his sisters room, and empty.
ins the contents Of the cologne bottle
lato his hand, applied it without stint
to hair aud handkerchief. Then seeing
scarlet ribbon on the table, he appro.
priated it for necktie, gave himself an
approving glance ia the mirror, dashed
down stairs, slammed the front door
after him, aud was gone.


" What in the world is Harry up to
nowF' exclaimed Mrs. Grey, in wonder,
as she paused from her work to watch
the fast receding figure of her son.


lie is going to sec Lucy Trowbridge,
guess" replied Harry's sister, dc.
mure little damsel, who was busy iron.
iDg, "Ycu know, mother, that her
father and mother have gone away
Won't there bo a scene, though, if they
get home before Harry leaves"


Your brother is the biggest simple
ton l know Of" exclaimed Mrs. Grey
There's Clara Bcamer, just as good
looking and smart as Lucy, aud she
thinks the world and all of Harry, and
her folks are always inviting him over
while Lucy's father won't even let her
look at him if he can help it,"


" Lucy is worth dozen such rattle
brains as Clara" said her daughter
"and do believe that Mr.. TrowbridgC
had rather have Lucy marry Harry
than any one else. But he thinks q
girl should never think of lover ill
she is horrid old maid, and too ugly
to get one. He keeps Lucy as close
under his eye as though she were
baby instead of grown up woman.
delare it l we're in her place now I'd
eiope the first dark night. But be
ileve Lucy would see Harry married to
Clara Boamer, and pine away to a shad.
oW about it before she would do that


Lucy Trowbridgo had taken her seat
py the window, where she sat quietly
sewing, until the buggy containing her
parents was out of sight; then she
Threw down her work and stood gazing
'or few moments down the pleasant
road along which they had disappeared


Then she brushed her hair until il
snone like satin, and fastened knot oil
Olao ribbon among the braids, after
which she resumed her seat aud her
work. Did she expect that Harry Grey
would Gomez He had not been in her
s'ern fathers house for year; she had