The Art Of Writing & Speaking The English Language / Word-Study and Composition & Rhetoric

discovered by Mrs. Jukes. When the men at last arrived and dislodged them from this delectable spot, they scampered across the fields, trampling through the young corn and potato patch unt

y that the cattle were at last rounded

tood facing her crestfallen husband, with her eyes ablaze with a

dy for half an hour, and if it hadn't been for me, the cows

help with the work," Jake

d for a man to help with the work if the cows had been left much longer. Where d

in'," the l

r breakf

aw

earned it all right this morning. Bring your h

table, Douglas had the children on his knees, and was asking them their names and quizzing them about the things in which they were interested. Though very busy, Mrs. Jukes noticed this, and she felt greatly pleased at the attention the stranger paid to her offspring. She noted, as well, his refined face, his gentle manner,

chair in place. "I'm sorry there isn't more for

been years since I've eaten pancakes, ham and gravy. And that

good as I generally make. We just opened a new barrel of fl

the best wrestler in the pari

asked, with his mo

Wouldn't any one be stro

Jake acknowledged, "an' you h

emember. It was simply a litt

ike to try it on Joe Preston the next time we h

restling this morning

ave seen the way he did it, Susie. I struck the ground kerflop

Douglas across the table. Any one who could put down the champion of Rixton was a marvel in Empty's eyes, and worthy of more than a passi

ion for his prowess as a wrestler, and was proud of his standing in the community. It was his local renown which had appealed to her when she was teaching sc

thing about farm

a farm, and should kn

as re

one any hard work

you kn

rough like Jake's, for instance, and your face is n

nd held up his ha

nd feet. They are all pretty well worn. A week or so in the field will remed

remarked, "an' if ye understand hayin' as w

ard and lodging

t's fer yo

er it t

the table. "We must do the milkin', and then git into the field.

ilk. But it was when once out in the field he showed what he could do. Though not hardened to the work, he exhibited his knowledge

e birds darting here and there. Though the day was hot and the perspiration at times stood out in beads on his forehead, yet he was more contented than he had been for a long time. "Why did I ever leave the country?" he asked himself. "What life so free and happy as this?" Then the thoughts which had entered his mind the nigh

driver, but an encourager, and when once he saw

chores had been done, and they were resting for a while

le to get hardened up, and then I'm going to have a wrestling bout with you. My, how calm the water is to-night," and he turn

d in amazement. "What in the wo

I've got nothing else to do. Wh

good down by that old pine tree," and Jake poin

such a place where he could think to his heart's content. No sign of human life was here, and the sweet song of a vesper sparrow was the only sound which broke the stillness of the evening. So far, he had not found Rixton to be th

ealed to him, but on an evening like this, and amid such surroundings, the effect was greatly enhanced. For a few minutes he sat and listened, afraid to move lest the charm should be dispelled. The music thrilled his soul with a peculiar feeling of responsibility. It seemed like a passionate cry for hel

no matter what others might say, was becoming a most interesting place. To encounter in one day a wrestler l

evidently listening with rapt attention to a young woman who was standing nearby playing upon a violin. Douglas noted with admiration her lithe form, and the graceful poise of her head. So the musician was a woman! It came to him as a surprise, for in his mind he had pictured a man alone on the shore, giving expression to his feelings. He longed to draw nearer, tha

a few minutes a man emerged from among the trees and approached the waiting woman. Ah, she had remained to meet her lover, and no doubt her music had been meant for him. Perhaps he had been near at hand all the time, waiting a favourable opportunity to speak to her. Was the old man her father who objected to her lover? And was the young girl her sister who was in leagu

the two interested him greatly. It was evident that they were engaged in an

soon disappeared among the trees. Douglas' interest was much aroused and he felt that there was some mystery connected with what he had witnessed. He l

raced his steps along the shore. It was dark by the time he reached the house. He felt tired after his