Year: 1871

but exhorbtant. The best place at the Ia
ble seemed also to be vacant for his benefit,
and if there was particularly choice dish
it was always near his plate.


"Mighty comfortable" said Fred, to
himself; "but | wish folks wouldn't stare
at me so, and be so ouSrageously polite.
I'd rather be let alone.


He soon noticed, however, that there was
one person who was a shining exception to
the general complacency with which the
household regarded him, and that one was
the very one whose attention he wonld have
preferred. just opposite him sat gumpy
old lady who ordered everybody about, but
who was very civil to him, and beside her
was n girl who would be noticed anywhere.
See her in rags, and You would still call her
a lady. She was not especially handsome,
though her form was exquisite, but she was
beautiful with that beauty which consists in
grace, spirit, refinement and sweetness
This girl sat and ate her meals without once
looking at him, though she talked pleasant
ly to others She seemed, indeed, to pur-
posely avoid noticing him, and showed a
faint GOODNESS, almost amounting to haught-
mess, when her aunt referred to him. This
couple, Mrs. Conway and Miss Richmond,
interested him more than any one else
were in fact, the only ones who did inter-
est him.


The first evening, after supper, Fred es-
capped from his adoIers and took q long
walk about the town, stood beside the river,
the pond, went up hill, and took look at
all the principal buildings. The latter
were nearly all what village architecture is
likely to be when it tries to be grand
cheaply pretentious But there was one
exception. In a beautiful and command
ing position, at the intersection Of the two
principal streets Of the town, was a large es-
tate with square brick house ON it,cmbod-
dcd in gardens and trees, one Of the most
delightful places in the world. There was an
air Of comfortable wealth about ii that was
very pleasant. and the taste of the propre-
tor was evidently good Fred liked the
looks Of it so well that he stopped n boy
who was passing by, as he leaned and looked
over the fence into the gardens, and asked
whose the place was.


esquire Sevens's," the boy said, oyi-
IDENTITY glad to be questioned "lIe's the
richest man in town"


Fred saw that he had only to ask in or
der to get full history Of tho Scyerns fam
ily, root and branch. He had no notion
however, of satisfying any porson's CAB
bling propensity, and no curiosity to know
who Mr. Seyoms's grandmother was, or
what they had for dinner. SO he left the
boy with his mouth open, and tho story al
ready to burst forth from his throat, and
went back to the hotel.


II was nine O'Clock, and nearly all The
family were out on the veranda or the
green, getting all the air and GOODNESS they
could. He avoided them, and went into the
parlor which the ladies and gentlemen
shared together the gentlemen going to
the barroom when indisposed for the society
of ladies. The room, instead of being va
cant, as he had hoped, had a group at one
Of the front windows. Mrs. Conway and
Miss Richmond sat each in an narmchair,and
between them stood the landlord, and
strange gentleman, rather consequential
person.


Fred would have turned upon his heel and
gone up to his own room, if Miss Richmond
had not been there but he wanted to see
30, l. 60, &, Ia.
in, and, bowing slightly as they all glanced
round, went to another window, and stood
looking out. The landlord came to him
Immediately. esquire Seyerns would be
happy to be introduced TO you, Mr.. Jones'"
he announced, in a stage whisper. "Win
you come over to him and the lades?"


"What in thunder does Squire Severns
know about mor he thought but said
nothing only followed the landlord to the
other window, and underwent an introduc-
ton.


The Squire received him like a SON, shook
his hand warmly, hoped he liked the town,
was sure lie was comfortable at the Seldom
house, ahem with bow to the landlord
in such excellent company-bowing to the
ladies, tho elder Of whom nodded in return,
and the younger turned her head disdain-
fully away, and looked out of the window.


Ilo hoped that Mr.. Jones would stay long
enough in Seldom to explore all its beauties,
and to facilitate that end he offered any in
formation and assistance in his power TO
give.


Fred bowed in speeehless astonishment,
wondering if the millennium had come, or