Chapter Fifth.
"Home is the resort Of love, of joy, of peace, and plenty, where, Supporting and supported, polish'd friends And dear relations mingle into bliss." --THOMSON'S _Seasons_.
The sweetest of May mornings; the sun shines brightly in a sky ofheavenly blue, wherein float soft, fleecy clouds of snowy whiteness,casting faint shadows now here, now there, over the landscape. Theforest trees have donned their spring robes of tender green, and attheir feet the earth is carpeted with grass spangled with myriads oflovely wild flowers of varied hues; the air is redolent of their sweetbreath and vocal with the songs of the birds in the tree-tops and allthe pleasant sounds of rural life. Everything seems so bright, sofresh, and new that Annis, as the stage rolls rapidly onward, bringingher every moment nearer home, is almost wild with delight, while theolder members of the party, if less demonstrative, are scarcely lesshappy.
They counted the miles, as those at home were counting the hours andthe minutes. The journey from Philadelphia to Northern Indiana was farmore tedious and wearisome in those days than it is now, and they weretired enough of travel to be glad to reach their journey's end; restwould be delightful; but it was the thought of home and dear ones thatconstituted their chief joy.
The stage was due in Pleasant Plains just at noon, and to-day, havingno hinderance from bad weather or bad roads, arrived punctually to theminute. The mail was dropped at the post-office, a passenger at thehotel.
"To Lawyer Keith's next?" queried the driver, bending down from hishigh seat to bestow a roguish look and smile upon the impatient Annis.
"Yes," Dr. Landreth said, "we all belong there."
The stage was sweeping on again before he had half finished hissentence.
In another minute it drew up at the gate, and oh the greetings, theembraces that followed! the happy laughter, the looks of love, thetears of joy! for to the younger ones the separation had seemed verylong, as, indeed, so far as Miss Stanhope was concerned, it really hadbeen.
The mutual affection of herself and niece was like that of mother anddaughter, and they had not seen each other's faces for more than tenyears. All the family loved the old lady, and she came in for her fullshare of the joyous welcome. Zillah was there with her husband andbabe, and Ada had her betrothed by her side.
They sat down to dinner together, a large and happy party, most of themmore disposed for conversation, however, than for doing justice to thefare upon which Celestia Ann had expended much thought and skill.
She was still with Mrs. Keith, devotedly attached to her and the wholefamily, and no one had bestowed a heartier hug upon Annis, Mildred, oreven Aunt Wealthy, than this somewhat forward but very warm-heartedmaiden.
"You don't none o' ye eat half as much as you'd orter, considerin' whata sight o' trouble I took a-gettin' up this dinner," she grumbled, asshe waited on the table. "I remembered all your likings--Miss Milly's,and Miss Stanhope's, and Annis's--and done my best to foller 'em all.I broiled the chickings, and smashed the 'taters, and took a sight o'pains with the pies and puddin's; but you don't none o' you seem to'preciate it, 'thout it's Don there, for here I'm a-carryin' out yerplates half full every time."
"That's because we have been so bountifully helped," said Mildred."Father has heaped my plate with enough for two or three meals. So youmustn't feel hurt, Celestia Ann, for I assure you I find your cookerydelicious."
"So do I," said Annis. "I haven't tasted as good since we left theOaks."
A chorus of complimentary remarks followed from the rest of thecompany, and Celestia Ann's wounded vanity was appeased.
"Fan," Dr. Landreth remarked, looking across the table at her, "I thinkyou are the worst delinquent of all of us; you have eaten scarcelyanything, and I suspect it is no new thing, for you have grown thinsince I saw you last."
"Father says it's because I'm growing so fast," Fan said, blushingwith embarrassment, as she felt that all eyes were turned upon her."It's spring-time, too, and that is apt to make one lose appetite andstrength."
"I dare say you need change," remarked Annis wisely. "You see how welland strong I am; don't you wish now you'd gone South with us?"
"No; I wouldn't have missed the nice time I've had with mother foranything," returned Fan, her eyes seeking her mother's face with a lookof fond affection.
Mrs. Keith's answering smile was very sweet. "Yes," she said, "Fan andI have had a very pleasant, happy time together. And now, with all ourdear ones restored," glancing fondly from Annis to Mildred and AuntWealthy, "we shall be happier than ever."
"Home's a good place," remarked Don, pushing away his plate, andsettling himself back in his chair with the air of one whose appetiteis fully satisfied, "but I, for one, would like to see something of theworld."
"Time enough yet, my boy," remarked Dr. Landreth laughingly; "you maywell feel thankful that you are not forced out into it now, before youare fully prepared for the battle of life."
Don looked slightly vexed and impatient. "Yes," he said, "that's theway you all talk; it's wait, wait, wait, instead of 'strike while theiron's hot.'"
"What iron?" inquired Mildred, with a look half of interest, half ofamusement.
"I want to go to California and dig gold," blurted out the boy; "butfather and mother won't hear of it, though there's a large partystarting from here next week."
"Oh, Don, what an idea!" exclaimed Mildred. "I'm glad you can't winconsent."
"I too," said the doctor. "Don, if you knew what the life is you wouldnot want to try it. I have had experience of it, you remember."
"Who are going from here?" asked Mildred.
Quite a list of names was given in reply, including those of several ofher familiar acquaintance.
"How will they go?" she asked, a look of grave concern coming over herface.
"Across the plains," answered Rupert, "in wagons drawn by ox-teams. Itcan't fail to be a slow and toilsome journey."
"And a dangerous one as well," added his mother, with a deprecatinglook at Don.
"Yes, I know," said the lad, "but I'm fairly spoiling for a taste ofthat, mother," he added, with a laugh.
She shook her head. "Ah, my boy, I wish you knew when you were welloff."
They left the table, and flocked into the parlor; but Mrs. Keith drewDr. Landreth aside, and whispered in his sympathizing ear her anxietyin regard to Fan. She described every symptom without reserve, thenasked, with a look of deep solicitude, "What do you think of the case?"
"You must allow me a little time to study it, mother," he said; "butI trust it will prove nothing serious. She must have rest, a tonic, adaily walk of such length as she can take without undue fatigue, andfrequent drives. Those I can give her as I visit my country patients."
"Thank you," she said. "I have been very impatient for your return onthe dear child's account."
"What is that you are talking of, mother?" Mildred asked, joining them.
"Of Fan, Milly; she hasn't seemed well for some time, and I have beenconsulting the doctor about her."
Mildred's eyes filled. "My darling little sister!" she exclaimed. "Ihope it is nothing serious?" She turned an eager, inquiring look uponher husband.
"We will hope not, Milly," he said cheerfully. "As your father says,she is growing fast, and, besides, this warm spring weather is aptto cause a feeling of languor. I trust that with tender care andwatchfulness we may be able to help her to grow into strong, healthfulwomanhood."
Both mother and sister looked relieved, and presently they rejoined theothers.
Frank Osborne was just taking leave. He must return to the duties ofhis charge, and might not see them again for several days.
Ada left the room with her betrothed for a few last words.
When she entered the parlor again Aunt Wealthy, making room for heron the sofa by her side, asked, "Are you to be settled near PleasantPlains, dear?" adding, "I hope so, for it would be very hard for you togo far from father and mother, brothers a
nd sisters, and for them tohave you do so."
Ada could not answer for a moment, and when she found her voice it wastremulous with emotion.
"We do not know yet, Aunt Wealthy," she said. "It will be hard to leavehome and dear ones, but we are ready and willing to go wherever theLord may send us."
"Ada, what do you mean?" asked Mildred. "Surely, Frank has no thoughtof seeking a foreign field?"
"Can't you give me up if the Master calls me away, Milly?" asked Ada,taking her sister's hand and pressing it fondly in hers.
"In that case I would not dare hold you back if I could; His claim isfar stronger than mine," Mildred said, with emotion.
Then the whole story came out, and the matter was discussed in a familycouncil.
But they could go no farther than the expression of their opinionsand wishes. Frank had already offered himself to the Board of ForeignMissions, and his going depended upon their acceptance or rejection.
"I hope they'll say, 'No, we think you can find enough to do where youare,'" said Annis playfully, but with eyes full of tears, putting herarms around Ada's neck and laying her cheek to hers as she spoke. "I'msure I don't know what we should ever do without you!" she went on. "Idon't like to have you go away even as far as the country church whereFrank preaches now."
"Well, dear, we won't borrow trouble; 'sufficient unto the day is theevil thereof,'" Ada said, holding her close, and fondly kissing therosy cheek.
"'And as thy days, so shall thy strength be,'" added Mrs. Keith. "Ourblessed Master will never lay upon any of us a heavier burden than Hegives us strength to bear."
"No," said Rupert. "And now--to turn to a pleasanter theme than thepossibility of losing Ada--Mildred, don't you want to go and take alook at your new house, you, and the doctor, and anybody else thatcares to see it?"
"Oh, is it done?" cried Annis, suddenly forgetting her grief andloosening her hold of Ada to clap her hands with delight.
"Yes, all but the papering and painting," replied Rupert.
"I move we all go in a body," said Mildred gayly.
"So many of us! People would stare," objected Fan, with her usualtimidity.
"What matter if they should?" laughed Mildred. "But it is only a step,and there are very few neighbors near enough to watch our proceedings."
"And why shouldn't we be independent and do as we please?" remarked Donloftily. "I vote in the affirmative. Come, let's go."
"A dozen of us, without counting the babies," murmured Fan, with alittle sigh. But she tried on the dainty white muslin sun-bonnet hermother handed her, took Don's offered arm, and went with the rest.
As they passed from room to room Mildred's eyes shone with pleasure.
The plan of the house was the joint work of herself and husband,embodying their ideas in regard to comfort and convenience. Rupert hadbeen left in charge of the work during their absence, and had acquittedhimself of the trust to their entire satisfaction.
Both returned him warm thanks, Mildred saying again and again, "I amdelighted, Ru; you have not forgotten or neglected the least of ourwishes."
"I am very glad it pleases you, Milly," he said, with a gratified look."It has been a labor of love to attend to it for you."
"It is quite done except the work of the papers and painterers, is itnot?" queried Aunt Wealthy.
"Yes," said the doctor; "and we will set the painters at workto-morrow; the paperers as soon as our boxes of goods arrive."
Mildred at Home: With Something About Her Relatives and Friends. Page 5