Year: 1873




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 inconveniences,
especially for the first two days, when,
owing to the non-arrival of our ktchen-ware
and china, we were somewhat puzzled to
know how to furnish forth our board, but
they only served to add zest to the enter
prise. .s .u


"Jolly, isn't it?" said I, presiding as
gracefuliyas possible at battered peach
can in place of a teapot


''lt is just fun" said Grace, using her
fingers for fork as she helped herself TO
sarGines.


81 wish you could find some more lady
like word, my DEAR" remarked Arabella,
calmly slipping her tea from terra-colta
vase, and managing to maintain her native
dignity in spite Of the fact OF being seated on
an Inverted washtub.


"Jolly doesn't half express it." said
Frank, taking lingering looks at the land
scape as she bu,tered her bread with pen
knife; ,'it is blessedness itself" and when
once we were fairly put TO rights, even
Arabella was ready to agree with her.


One day it was found necessary for some
of us to go to town to order household sup
plies, and as Grace had headache and
Frank was still too much in love with the
country to care for sight of the city,
Arabella and decided to take the morning
express and make the needed purchases.
We had fully expected to be at home before
evening, but in one way and another we
were detained until there was barely time to
catch the six o'clock train. 1t was only an
hours ride, however, and with 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 home,
that we scarcely heard the stations called


''We must be near Dexter" said Ara
bella at last rousing from a state of sem
unconscousness, and picking up her hand
bag.


"Beg pardon, am" said voice be-
hind us, "but we have just left Dexter. "


"It can't be possibIel" cried I, rushing
frantically to the rear end of the car and
mentally wondering why in the world we
had not taken the opposite side where we
might have seen the name even II we had
failed to hear it called; but regrets were un-
ava ling, for surely enough there was Dexter
recedng in the dim distance like a dream
of the past.


"Why, we shan't get home tonight
We must stop the train! We must do
somethingF | calculated. turning to Ara
bella, who, after properly thanking our in
fo b,l cr,tI
niAed pace; but her undislurbed air exasper-
a,ed me, aria without waiting for an answer,
hurried to the other end Of the car in search
of the conductor.


"Theres no help for it miss" said that
polite official. ON put you off at tie next
station, that's only three miles on and
you can easily find some one to bring you
back"


Small consolation it was, but as the last
uptown train had already passed us there
was 10 alternative; and presently we were
standing forlorn and desolate on the plat
form of the Bedford station, three miles
from home, and the "shades of night"
gathering about us with unwelcome raj lidity.
two unkempt boys, with their hands in
their pockets, stood staring stupidIy ut u.s.
"Dun know, num-" said one of them in
answer to our anxious inquiries, ''tbere
ant nobody round here as keeps hosses
'cept farmer Hill," and having pointed out
farmer Hills house, they staggered away,
and left US to our own devices. "A tire
some tramp across a plowed field brought
Us at last to the farmers door, and here it
was that we were told to walk in and make
ourselves "to hum" till "Ralph" could
come 10 our rescue. Five minutes later the
old man reappeared, tanning himself vigor-
ousy with his broad brimmed hat.


Here's Ralph Strong, he'll take you
over" And this was our introduction,
for, as he spoke, spring wagon drew up
at the gate, and the bronzed.faced driver
with gallant bow informed us that be was
at our service. Evidently farmer Hills
nephew, whatever might be the state of his
"narves," was man f intelligence and re-
fnement-we made that discovery before we
were mile on the road-and SO entertain
ing did he prove that, tired and hungry as
we were, we were half sorry when the ride
came to an end. Frank and Grace alarmed
at our absence, were watching for us at the
gate, and Arabella, with gracious cordialty,
introduced the stranger, explaining in an
aside who he was. OF course, we invited
him in and though in consideration of the
Iateness Of the hour, he politely declined, he
promised to do himself the pleasure of call
ing in few days.


''He is very gentlemanly and agreeable .
said Arabella, with emphasis, as seated at
the tea-table we narrated the events of the
day; and it must be confessed that we were
all rather elated at the prospect of having
our solitude Invaded now and then by this
gentlemanly and agreeable person.


Beyond the simple fact that he was far
mer Hills nephew from college we knew
nothing whatever about him, but his face
and voice were of themselves sufficient to
inspire confidence, and before many weeks
went by we had come to regard him as our
right hand man. Arahella consulted him
on all matters of business, and Grace AMI