SVIOOBE'S BUBAL fJEW-¥OBKEB. 
MAB6H 29 
lar. But he was only too glad now to eoe her 
sun-burned face, and listen to bet- harsh voice, 
at she inquired for Mrs. Oakley. 
Ho was sure now that LOTTOS would find an 
excuse to leave the parlors for one last visit to 
the flummer-housc and grounds. And he was 
not mistaken, for present ly he heard the patter 
of feet upon the stairs; the fragrance of clover 
hloKMortui was in t he air, lhu‘ alone would have 
told him of her presence, if lie had been blind¬ 
folded, and had not heard the rustle of her 
silken robes. She had not proceeded many 
steps ere John found himself by her side. 
“Ah! Mis* Lornt:. you will not be so cruel 
a* to deny me the pleasure of your society 
during the moments you spend in the garden 
and summer-hon^e." said John. 
“ Certainly not, if it will tie of any consolation 
to you, as your tone would Indicate. Hut I al¬ 
most ••'under how you can forego the pleasure 
of Mrs. fUPKr'ti conversation—If I mistake not, 
she is an especial favorite of yours,” said Lot¬ 
tie, with a sly bit of humor beaming out over 
her beaut iful face. 
“My especial aversion, you might bare said ; 
but 1 am not anxious to learn the art of agri¬ 
culture or /mrQVuffure from a woman," and 
there was a certain haughty air in the tone of 
John Randolph's voice, (bat would have been 
far front agreeable to Mrs. Rii.ev. 
“I think your sister esteems*your especial 
aversion.’ for her many good qualities as friend 
and neighbor,” said Lottik. 
“Oh, yes. BESSIE always sees a worthy side 
to every low-born specimen of humanity, and 
if each one will keep within his or her own 
sphere, I have n certain degree of respect for 
such an individual. Hut I never could endure 
beautiful, w itty, intelligent girls, with whom he 
could carry on a slight flirtation and amuse him¬ 
self and them. For in spite of those “horrid 
green goggles" and that “bushy hair.” the girls 
frequently found it a source of enjoyment to 
converse with the “ refined farm hand.” 
But it was but small attention they received, 
both declared, when Sister Lottie came in from 
the garden or down from her sanctum. The 
rest of the day his attention was given to their 
“ Queen bee.” There was always sortie popular 
subject, for discussion, or some netv author to 
be reviewed. Perhaps RicnHlM, wl(f was an 
excellent reader, would render a new poem, as 
though it were a story of real life, in clear, thril¬ 
ling tones; or Lottik would repeat from mem¬ 
ory one of Long fellow's sweet songs. The 
early twilight was always devoted to music. 
Swiftly the days hastened along, as on silvery 
wings, and August, with burning heats and 
sweeping tempest, proclaimed herself the royal 
Queen. 
“Mrs. Oaki.Kv promises to be with us next 
week,” said Lottie, addressing her mother and 
sisters, as she laid down a letter which had been 
handed her by the postboy n few moments pre¬ 
vious. Mr. Rich a tins, who chanced to be sit¬ 
ting near a window on the verandah, gave a 
little start of surprise, and then resumed his 
reading. 
“ Oh ! that will be nice !” exclaimed Jennie; 
“slip will be here just in time to have a ride on 
the last loads of grain ; we always have such 
gay times when she comes. 1 w ish that aristo¬ 
cratic brother of hors would come with her 
just for once; but of course he would be 
shocked at such a set of hoydens as we are, 
I’m glad Bessie isn’t such n simpleton. He 
will never break any of his bones falling from 
a load of grain.” 
That evening Lottie received an offer of mar¬ 
riage from Mr. Richards, which she gently but 
very firmly declined. The following morning 
Rich a ups took his leave. 
Strange to say. J ennie had her wish; for Mrs. 
Oakley’s aristocratic brother accompanied her, 
though quite unexpectedly; of course, he re¬ 
ceived a friendly welcome. Hut when, on the 
following day after the urrival of the guests, 
Jennie invited them to a ride upon n load of 
grain. Mr. Randolph Complained of a slight 
indisposition, and desired to be excused, as 
climbing was not his /mis. 
“ Von will, most likely, find plenty of amuse¬ 
ment in the garden, examining the vegetables. 
Sister Lotto: is u capital hand at raising pota¬ 
toes, cabbages and onions; indeed, she received 
the first premium last fall at the Slate Fair, for 
several specimens of those varieties, besides 
bearing off I lie palm for pumpkins and squashes 
and getting her name Into the papers as the 
only real ‘thorough-going farmeress' in the 
country,” said Jennie, With a sly bit of humor 
in her laughing blue eyes ami musical voice. 
She had learned (not from her Sister Lottie. 
but from Mrs. Oaki.kv.) the dislike John had 
of lady farmers, and she held it bit of girlish 
grudge against him. 
The young hoyden soon disappeared, followed 
by Mrs. Oakley, who was equally bind of a 
harvest frolic amid (he ripe, golden grain and 
the dried elover buds, -and the more dignified 
Floy, wbn delighted in reading poems under 
the wide spreading boughs of some old native 
tree beside a dear, babbling brook. 
"Miss Lottie, your sister has intimated that 
you have a superior garden: perhaps you will 
not object to showing its especial att ractions,” 
said John Randolph, half an hour later. 
Taking down her sun-lud, from a bracket in 
the hull, while he [licked up his guld-headed 
pane, (w hich, by the way, lie never allowed to 
be beyond his reach.) he took his hat from her 
hand, and together t hey passed dow n thegravel 
walk, slopping for a moment, to admire the 
fountain jot and the dashing spray, which cov¬ 
ered the luxuriant vines with a perpetual dew. 
In the central part of the ground* was a very 
pretty rustic arbor, put up entirely by Lottie 
and her siate:-t. The frame waa perfectly con¬ 
cealed by luxurious morning glories and scar¬ 
let runner-, which were a trines of blossoms 
I hrough all the summer months. The inside of 
grnucc, but also assisting to supply the town 
market; for every week after the first day of 
June did Joseph spend one day of I he week In 
carrying produce to town. The flowers were 
always arranged in a manner to attract imme¬ 
diate attention and command, to us, a charm¬ 
ing price. In the haying season we took I urns, 
two of us going into the field to turn and rake 
the liay, and thereby saved the expense of hir¬ 
ing more than one assistant. And in this way 
we worked Tor five years; t hen we found our¬ 
selves free from mortgages and also free from 
debt. The beautiful rooftree, with its fertile 
aorcs, was all Our own. Since that time we 
have felt Justified in hiring all the Term work ; 
but tiie garden and grounds surrounding ‘ Busy 
Bee’ cottage we still cultivate, performing most 
of the labor with our own hands. This has 
been my first summer vacation; but when I re¬ 
turn, I shall renew iny labors with increased 
vigor. Now, Mr. Randolph, you must see 
plainly why I cannot promise t o bo your wife. 
You would never cultivate the society of a 
farmeress ; and that certainly is my profession." 
And Lottie Ray vanished from the summer¬ 
house, and two minutes later was sobbing in 
her own room. 
8he really loved John Randolph, notwith¬ 
standing ills whims, for she knew ho possessed 
many noble qualities. 
" I love her ns I shall never love another 
woman—and she is a farmeress," was all John 
Randolph said, as he sat alone in the arbor 
that, beautiful summer night. 
Miss Ray, During these weeks that it has been 
my pleasure to enjoy the fa vor of your society, 
I have learned to love you most sincerely and 
devotedly. May f not hope tho attachment is 
mutual, ami 1 lint t he day is not far distant when 
I may claim you as my own most cherished 
wife?” And John Randolph drew the white 
shapely hand of Lottie Ray within his own 
wit h a gentle caress. 
There were pearly tears In those beautiful 
brown eyes as slid made answer:—“T will be 
frank with you. Mr. Randolph. 1 do return 
the attachment with which you profess to re¬ 
gard me ; and yet , I cannot promise to be your 
wife. It will be better for us If we can forget 
t lie hours that have been so fraught with pleas¬ 
ure during this visit to your sister.” 
“Ami why may you not become my wife? 
We have confessed that we love each other 
with more than youthful passion; our minds 
are in harmony and our tastes congenial, as we 
have learned loo well for our future peace, if 
we travel through life, drifting apart;” and 
Jons’* voice quivered with deep emotion. 
“ 1 cannot give you any reason, Mr. Ran¬ 
dolph, miles* you have patience to listen to a 
story that may prove far from entertaining." 
John Randolph quickly signified his readi¬ 
ness to listen to anything that might escape her 
sweet lips, as he settled himself more comfort¬ 
ably in the rustic garden chair, still retaining 
the beautiful hand of Lottie Ray, while she 
commenced in low, musical tones, the story of 
her life: 
“ My father died when I was seventeen years 
of aue, leaving my mother, (an invalid,) two 
younger sisters and myself to mourn the loss 
of his love, his society and his care. Our home 
was a beautiful one, consisting of a well fur¬ 
nished house, well arranged grounds surround¬ 
ing it, and a small farm of sixty acres attached ; 
but this last was heavily mortgaged at t he time 
of our father’s death; there were also some 
outstanding debts which would sooner or later 
demand payment. As I said, my mot her was 
an invalid, and therefore quite unable to attend 
to any business. But I was blessed with good 
health and strength enough for any common 
emergency. T had read ol a great number of 
heroines, and J determined to become one also, 
but in a very different manner. 
“My education was thorough, so fur as was 
possible for one with so little experience. T bad 
frequently assisted my father in keeping books 
and overlooking business papers, and lmd a 
very good understanding of Ids aflalrs gener¬ 
ally. With a little advice from our lawyer,! 
was quite sure I could use my energies in a 
way to keep our borne, and spare my mother 
and sisters the pang of leaving the beloved spot. 
“ It was midwinter when my father was laid 
to rest in the old churchyard, bo there were 
long dreary months to lay out plans. I deter¬ 
mined to sell such things as we could dispense 
with out of doors and in the house, thereby 
diminish our Indebtedness and lessen our anx¬ 
iety. My mother left everything to me, having 
great confidence in my capability. I dismissed 
the servants, with tho exception of Joseph, 
the farm boy, and became the head of the es¬ 
tablishment and maid of nil work, hiring my 
sisters to assist me, believingit would be better 
for them to have astipulated remuneration and 
be their own bankers, and much pleasanter for 
my individual self. 
“When spring opened, ray plans were ail laid 
and arrangements made, I had made agricul¬ 
ture and horticulture a study, theoretically; I 
would practice what I had learned and prove 
its efficaciousness. Joseph was willing and 
“Miss Lottie, there is a man lathe neighbor¬ 
hood desiring a situation as farm hand fur a 
couple of moldhs. He says ho is not capable of 
earning full wages, but lie will do the very best 
he can for a small remuneration,” said Farmer 
Joseph, one bright June morning at breakfast. 
“It seems to me that a man, if worth hiring 
at all, should desire fair remuneration; but you 
can judge best ils to ( lie help you need,”replied 
Lottie, os sho poured the second cup of amber 
coffee for her mother. 
“His hands certainly don’t have the appear¬ 
ance of having been used to much hard labor; 
and now r think of It, he request ed some extra 
privileges; for instance, a private room, so lie 
could have tiie evenings for study. I guess, 
though, ho would do tolerably well in the hay- 
field after lie got used to work.” 
"We can, at least, give him a fair trial, and 
lie can have the square room next to your own 
for so short a time;” and t he young farmeress 
began gathering up the breakfast service, while 
Floy and J ennie went aboutthe various duties 
assigned them, and Mrs. Ray, who had quite 
recovered her health since her daughters had 
taken all care ami anxiety from her mind, at¬ 
tended the dairy. Lottie put the dining room 
in order, prepared the vegetables for dinner, 
and then adjusting her garden hat , strode down 
to the garden with a small, glistening hoe in her 
hand. 
Her ever-watchful eye soon detected vicious 
weeds and overgrown vines; the woods were 
soon dug out of the ground, and the vinos were 
neatly pruned into n more fruitful growth. For 
an hour she labored hard amid luxuriant vege¬ 
tables, fragrant blossoms and thrifty shrubs, 
while gay plumagcd birds sang sweeter songs 
than e’er she had heard on flute or guitar, appar¬ 
ently for her especial benefit. After resting for 
a few minutes in the arbor, she retired to her 
own well-appointed sanctum to write out, not 
what she "knew about farming," but some 
sweet lesson that had come to her while she 
was employed amid the beauties and gifts of 
nature. 
“1 think Joseph’s assistant, Mr. Kictiards, 
might be quite an acquisition," said Floy to 
her sisters one afternoon, as they sat in the 
little “oast parlor" with their sewing, “if he 
would only take off those horrid green goggles 
and wear his hair and whiskers trimmed in a 
becoming manner, t think he has been won¬ 
derfully smitten with Lottie's face and style 
already, for lie has no eyes for any one else in 
thishoNse. I think sometimes, be would like 
to be a cannibal just long enough to eat her- 
I wonder what is the trouble ? Joseph is com¬ 
ing to the house from the meadows in great 
haste." 
“ If you please, Miss Lottie, some one must 
come and help me a bit. Richards has fallen 
from a load of hay, and J fear he has broken his 
ankle; any way, he is in a dead faint.” 
Joseph’s fears proved to be well founded; 
for upon examination it was found by the vil¬ 
lage surgeon that he had fractured a bone, and 
would be obliged to keep his room for many a 
long day. 
For weeks the “ new farm hand" was confined 
to his room and couch. And then came those 
delicious days of convalescing, when ho was 
able to hobble on crutches from one room to 
another, and to be petted and humored to his 
heart's content by kind, thoughtful friends like 
the Rays. There were Floy and Jennie, both 
happiness of all his future lire was at, stake, lie 
said: —"Miss Lottik Ray, at two separate 
times have I told run that I loved you as I 
never could love another woman, and each time 
I have asked von to be my wire.'ami y-.u have 
a* often refused to grant me so great a favor. 
Once more 1 shall trouble you to answer the 
same question. But before s on hasten to reply, 
let on- inform you that 1 have found that a 
farmer,-.ss need not necessarily be ignorant or 
unpolished: that her person can be well adorned 
by nicely arranged hair, well fitting robes and 
smooth delicate hands; that she may cultivate 
the mlml even while tilling the soil, and be a 
lover or Tennyson, WmiTltin and Soott’B 
poems; also,‘he graceful enough to adorn the 
White House at Washington. 1 confess t am 
ashamed of my former Ideas of a Farmeress, 
And now I ask you, for t he third time, will you 
accept the love J bestow and be my own, iny 
cherished wiie?” and there was a'quiver of 
pathos in t lie intonation* of John Randolph’s 
voice, for the answer which tie would receive 
was to render him unspeakably happy or most 
wrotehed 1 y miserabIe. 
"If this is the third proposal you have made 
me, pray, when was 1 he second ? I atn certainly 
quite in ignorance of any such occasion;’’ and 
the beautiful eyes of Lottie Ray were wide 
open, expressive of the surprise she feJt at John 
Randolph's assertion. 
"Just a week ago to-night J, John Richard 
Randolph, offered my sol f and all my posses¬ 
sions to Miss Lottie Ray. and was*respect¬ 
fully deeluied;' may I hope tor a more favor¬ 
able answer this time. Miss Lottie ?" 
For all answer, two small white hands were 
placed in his, while a look of undying love 
flushed up from those joyous yet tearful eyes, 
and the peach bloom grew deeper on t ho well 
rounded cheeks of persevering Lottie Ray. 
John Randolph was satisfied, and clasped the 
dear one to ins heart, while lie sealed tho be¬ 
trothal with-'veil, as a)] lovers do. 
When the Christmas holidays came, there was 
a splendid wedding at Widow Ra y ’s. But when 
tho happy pair settled in their house in town, 
Mrs. Randolph found there was a lot attached, 
that she might still practice her profession as a 
horticulturist. 
