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VOLUME 1.1
THE EASTMAN TIMES,
IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT
Eastman, Dodge Cos., Ga.,
BY
Tt . S . IS IT II T oN .
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Selected Poetry.
The Forty-Acre Farm.
I’m tliinkin’ wife, of neighbor Jones, that man
of stalwart arm—
Ho lives in peace and plenty, on a forty-acre
farm;
While men are all around us, with hands
and hearts asore,
Who own two hundred acres and still are want
ing more.
Ilis is a pretty little farm, a pretty little house ;
He has a loving little wife, as quiet as a mouse;
lbs children play around the door, their fath
er’s life to charm,
Looking as u at and tidy as the tidy little farm.
No weeds are in the corn-fields, no thistles in
the oats ;
The horses show good keeping by their fine
and glossy coats ;
The cows within the meadow, resting ’neatli
the beeehen shade,
Learn all their gentle manners of the gentle
milking maid.
Witliin the fields, on Saturday, he leaves no
cradled grain,
To be gathered on the morrow for fear of com
ing rain ;
He keeps the Sabbath holy, his children learn
his ways,
And plenty fills his barn and bin after the har
vest days.
He never has a lawsuit to take him to the town,
For the very simple reason there are no line
fences down; r. *
The bar-room in the village does not have for
him a charm,
I can always find my neighbor on his forty-aihe
farm.
Ilis acres are so very few he plows them very
deep ;
Tis his own hands that turns the sod, ’tis his
own hands that reap ;
He has a place for everything, and things are
in their place;
The sunshine smiles upon his fields, content
upon bis f ice.
May we not learn a lesson, wife, from prudent
neighbor Jones,
And not, for what we haven’t got, give vent to
sighs and moans ?
The rich aren’t always happy, or free from
life’s alarms,
Rut blest are they who live content, though
small mav be their farms.
BARBIE’S MISTAKE.
BY IDA ROLAND.
The creepers at the west window
framed a pretty picture that night,
and the sun just then flinging its part
ing glory upon it, brightened it still
more. Pretty Barbie Allen, humming
softly to herself a little tune, polished
the tea things carefully and set them
on the dresser. A dainty little body
was Barbie ; no wonder the sun ling
ered a little longer to brighten the
scene. It could not have looked in on
a lovelier picture. One could easily
have guessed that her thoughts were
pleasant ones from the light in her
violet eyes, and tiic spring toiler step.
But a voice from the porch dispelled
these thoughts.
‘Lands sakes ! Barbie, it takes an
awful time for you to wipe up them few
dishes. Just you hurry up your cakes,
and come and help me pick currants.
It’s high time that jelly was being
made, if its ever going to be.’
Then a calico sun-bonnet passed un
der the window, and over toward the
currant bushes.
The happy light faded from the
girl’s eyes, and the quick tears came.
‘Dear ! it’s nothing but hurry all
Ike time. I hate to pick currants, and
" kat will Robert say ? I promised to
te at the old gate after sunset.,’ she
sobbed under her breath.
To disobey the wish of her step
mother was not for a moment to be
thought about, bo the happy dream
was put aside?, and donning her wide
hat she went to the bushes, giving
one wistful glance toward the old
pear tree that guarded the orchard
gate.
Barbara Allen’s life bad not been a
very happy one. She lost her mother
while very young, and ever since she
could remember a step-mother had
ruled her life, who was incapable of
ever understanding a nature like hers.
Matter-of-fact and common-place she
certainly was herself, but she could
never nuiko Barbie like her. No open
warfare ever came between these two;
but way down in Barbie’s heart there
was an utter loathing for all that
should have been homo to her, and a
determination to some day leave these
distasteful scenes and see a little of
the great world outside their narrow
sphere, the world she had thought and
dreamed so much about It had seemed
this year as if her wishes were to be
gratified. Ever since Robert Talford
had come to their little village to
spend the summer, there had been a
bright spot in her life. lie came the
summer before the first time, and when
this June brought him back again,
she felt that she had something for
which to live. /
She never questioned her right to
love him and be loved.
She never tried to analyze her own
feelings and learn how deeply she
was attached to this gay, handsome
youth, who made love so royally and
spent money so lavishly. She only
felt that anew world opened before
her, something beyond the old life ol
drudgery, and was happy.
Long alter the appointed time Unit
night a slender figure stole through
the moonlight toward the old gate.
Would he wait for her ? Yes h<
was there and welcomed her with
fond kisses and tender reproaches for
her tardiness.
; I could not help it Robert. 67ie
kept me.’
‘Boor little Barbie, you have a hard
life here ?’ he questioned.
‘Ah ! you do not know how hard.
llow shall I endure it when the sum
mer is over and you are gone ?
‘Did you think I would leave you
here? That is what I wanted to say
to-night. I must go back next
week, and you must go as my wife.
Nay you must not hesitate. 1 want
you Barbie. Come.’
What girl with a heart full of love
for the handsome face before her ami
disgust for the life behind could have
denied him ?
‘Your parents and brother Robert,
you told me they were wealthy and
proud, what will they say to your
country bride ?
The youth’s face darkened. ‘My
mother will do anything for me,’ he
said ‘and Guy,’—the eyes flashed —
‘Guy always opposes me, but he shall
not dare influence them in this, lie
is a surly fellow, Barbie, and always
stands in my way, but if father and
mother only see you first it will all be
right. Never miud them girlie; 1
love you. Will you come ?
‘Anywhere with you, Robert ; only
let it be away from here.’
Four weeks later Barbie Talford
stood at the window of her room in a
fashionable hotel waiting her hus
band’s return. Itsecmed much longer
to her since she bade good-bye to
the old farm-house that moonlight
night and married Robert Talford.
These four weeks had been spent by
the young couple in travelling amid
scenery so new and beatiful to Bar
bie’s eyes, who had never seen any
thing before but her native hills, that
it seemed like entering anew world.
Jt had been several hours since he
left her, and she was beginning to feel
uneasy, for she well knew where lie
had gone.
He had pointed out liis father’s
house to her that morning as they
were riding, a beautiful brown-stone
mansion, with its elegant surround
ings, that told of wealth and taste.
He ha<l left a note of explanation for
his father, and this afternoon he had
gone to prepare them to receive her.
He had left her in the best of splits,
but as the hours crept by and he did
not return, she felt a strange forcbod-
EASTM AN, DODGE COUNTY, <* V., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 187 3.
iug. \\ hat if 11 1 is Guy, of whom her
husband bad so often spoken, should
influence them to turn Robert away
because he had married her. She
hardly dared let the thought enter her
mind, but still it would come, in spite
of her efforts to be cheerful.
In this short time she had learned
that the character of the man she had
married, lacked the stamina that he
would have to possess to begin life
unaided by their wealth and influence.
Ilis whole future would depend up
on the manner in which they would
receive him. No wonder she was
anxious and depressed. She listened
as every footfall sounded outside her
door, thinking each fresh one must
surely be his. At last the door open
ed. One glance at his face told that
ail had gone wrong. Never had she
seen him so angry, she dared not even
speak to him ; but sat trembling
and frightened in her chair, watching
him as lie paced the floor with heavy
steps, liis face dark with hatred and
his hands clinched. At last he seemed
a little calmer, and approaching her
threw a note in her lap, bidding her
read it. It was written in a clear,
firm hand, and contained but a few 7
words, but she read it again and again,
as if she did not understand its mean
ing.
‘Robert.— Such conduct as yours will
admit of no excuse. It is not only
heartless but disgraceful. My father
desires that from the mom nt you re
ceive tins you will cease to consider
yourseli a member of the family.
Guy.’
‘\\ liat docs lie moan, Robert ? is
ic because you have married me ? is
that the conduct that is not only heart
less but disgraceful V She looked at
him so earnestly, with her clear eyes,
that for a moment lie sank before them.
Then he said with a bitter laugh.
‘Of’ course it is. What else have I
done to offend his royal highness. A
very good excuse to get me out of die
family, selfish brute.’ Then followed
such a tirade ul abuse, that Barbie
shrank back with terror ; indignant
as she bad been a moment before.
‘Don’t curse him, Robert, remember
he is your brother.’
‘Yes, and that he has turned me
away 7 from my father’s house like a
dog,’ said he savagely.
‘Let me go to him Robert. Surely
he cannot be so hard hearted as you
think. Remaps if I could see your
father he would feel differently.’
He looked at her strangely for a
moment then shook Ins head. ‘I know
them better than you Barbie. They
will never change their decis on.’
‘What are we going to do?’ said
he, turning to her as if she were the
stronger, and indeed she was.
‘Do? llow can you ask when we
have all our life before us. Work, win
a name and a fortune that will equal
if not outshine, your brother’s.’ Her
face shone with enthusiasm as she
spoke.
liis face lighted up for a moment, as
ii lie too ielt a little of her energy and
courage. Then it died down, and the
old weak look came about the mouth,
Barbie seeing it looked ahead into
that great future that was staring
them in the face, and sighed. Was it
going to be as bright as she had
hoped.
A little figure in black, with a sad
face and mournful eyes, sat with a
little child in her arms in a third-story
room, in a city boarding house, rock
ing back and forth and singing to the
child, a beautiful little girl two years
old, in a voice that had in it a sound
of tears. A tap at the door and the
landlady entered, and after asking a
few questions said, I am very sorry
for you, of course, Mrs. Ford, but you
cannot expect me to do any more than
1 have already done. What did they
say about the last situation?’
‘They could not employ me on ac
count of little Dot,’ said she claspi ig
the child closer in her arms
Must what I told you, yesterday.
\ou will never be able to do anything
as long as you cling to that child.
Better give her away. I know plenty
oi rich ladies who would gladly adopt
such a pretty baby/
‘Mrs, Brown,’ said the little woman,
her voice trembling, yet earnest, ‘it is
useless to talk of that. Give away
my baby ; the only thing T have in the
world to love? Oh! little Dot, little
Dot, we’ll starve together first,’ said
she, sobbing over the sleeping child.
‘Well, well ! I did not mean to make
you feel bad—only I thought it would
be better for you both. I heard of an
other situation this morning—but like
as not they would have the same ob
jection. It’vtliat of housekeeper to a
rich family the other end of the city 7 .’
•I can keen house better than any
thing else.V '*! she, eagerly. ‘Where
is if? May re t hev wouldn’t mind little
Dot/*
‘lt’s over to Talford’s. The young
man and his mother keep house. The
old gentleman died a few months ago.
They had some sort of troubles. The
rich have their troubles as well
as the poor sometimes. I think this
was a wild Lon, that got shot away
from home. I guess the news is what
killed the old man. I’d go and try
anyway, if I were in your place. I’m
sure they needn’t mind the baby,
blessed lamb,’ said she, stopping to
give it a kiss, and hurrying away,
not noticing that the mother’s face was
as white as dpath. The door closed,
ank Barbie T-liford laid little Dot on
the bed, and kneeling beside it, prayed
that they both might die.
Three years had passed since l Robv rt
Talford had been disowned by his fath
er, and commenced his downward ca
reer. Three years over wliYh Barbie
could not look without a shudder. Re
proaches were* vain now, for she was
a widow ; and grief had softened her
heart toward the one who wrecked her
happiness. lie had tried tb do better;
but it was the old, old story of ‘climb
ing and falling back to sin.’ He was
so weak, and soon became reckless.
One night a bullet from the hand of
a drunken companion ended liis career.
So Ray l 1 if i!> ,u •
assumed name, with nothing left but
her child and her own brave heart.
It had been a year since then, and
it seemed to Barbie as i! it was a hard
world to live in. She wan willing to
work, God knows; but so little fitted
to battle with a world of which till
now she had known so little. Then
little Dot seemed to have no place, and
she could not give her up. After she
got calmer she sat thinking over what
her landlady had told her, and almost
resolved to try and obtain the .situa
tion, much as she shrank from so doing.
It seemed at times as if she could not
ask a favor of Guy Talford, or eat a
mouthful in lyis house. She blamed
him for all of Robert’s wrong-doing.—
Then it seemed as if it was the last
chance offered her, and she must try
for little Dot’s sake; and she resolved
she would. The next day she took
unusual pains with her toilet and little
Dot’s, and found her way to the Tal
ford mansion, for she remembered it
well ; and she was ushered, with a
fast-beating heart, into the presence of
its mistress. It was in her own pri
vate sitting-room that Mrs Talford sat;
for she was an invalid and seldom left
her own apartments. She was a
stately-lookiug woman; but though
haughty, looked sorrowful ; and her
hair was perfectly white. Her son
was with her; and as soon as Barbie
could command her eyes, she looked at
him, and was startled to find how much
he resembled Robert. Taller, more
dignified, his clear, blue eyes a little
colder in their light, and his mouth a
little firmer.
A handsome man everybody said,
but so haughty.
Meanwhile as Mrs. Talford talked
with Barbie, he looked at her in such
a manner that made her feel as if he
could read her secret and would de
nounce her on the spot as the destroy
er of their happiness. Little Dot, all
unconscious of her mother’s emotion,
was perfectly delighted with the pret
ty room, and sai on the bright carpet
trying to pick the pretty flowers scat
tered over it.
1 lie talx lasted some time and ended
in her being engaged on trial. The
child was no objection Mrs. Talford
'U-id. the house was large, and she
could keep her in her own apartment.
It she could stay now they would send
attcr her trunk And ringing for a
*trvant to show her to her rooms, Mrs
Talforcl dismissed Iter, saving* to Iter
son as the door closed:
‘You think me foolish I know to take
| a stranger in, hut site was so charin
| ing in her widow’s dress that I could
j not help it. I am not usually taken
: with a pretty face and manner ; hut
something in Mrs. Ford’s maimer ap
peals to one’s sympathy. I hope I
shall not be disappointed in her.’
‘I hope not,’ said Guy, rising to go.
‘But I am afraid you will regret it
some day, mother/
‘Why V
‘Never mind now. Try her. She
may be all you think Tier/ And he
walked away to his library.
In her room, which was more spa
cious and comfortable than an}’- sue
ever had occupied before, Barbie
mused over the events of the day, hall'
regretting, yet thankful’that fortune
had favored her. Regretting that she
must stay there and deceive them.—
Thankful that at last she had a haven
of rest.
The days and weeks passed, and
Barbie learning her new duties dis
charged them faithfully, earnestly
striving to win their approbation,
which she seemed to succeed in doing.
Mrs. Talford found that her house and
servants were as well managed as
when she held the reins of government
herself; and rejoiced over the treasure
she possessed. Always quiet and un
obtrusive, she won many friends in
the house ; but still held them at such
a distance that none dared ask about
her past life, except the few questions
proposed by Mrs. Talford the first day
she arrived. As for little Dot, she was
1 ke sunshine in the stately old house.
Even Guy adm tted her into his libra
ry, ami carried her about in his arms.
Barbie herself shunned him, trying j
also to keep Dot out of his way ; yet !
when she was obliged to be in his pres
ence, she studied him carefully, trying
to discern the traits in hi > character
she had heard Robert speak about.—
Cruel and selfish she felt him to he,
and set herself to work to prove it ;
but as yet she was forced to acknowl
edge she had failed, lie was thought
ful and tender of his mother, kind to
the servants and polite to her, still she
could not trust him. She never forgot
tie words oi the note that alienated
Robert from his family. Why was Ins
conduct heartless and disgraceful ?
They knew he had married a good girl, !
what if she had been reared in tin j
country, was that a disgrace? No, I
she could not forgive him. and ( 'cl j
sometimes when she looked at him
• hat he was her husband's murderer,
lie might have been so different.—
Time had softened the dead man’sl
faults till he seemed in her eyes a mar
tyr. Som- times she thought she could
not remain another day under Guy’s
roof. What if he should discover her
secret. How they would despise her
lor deceiving them so. His mother sh 1
had learned to love. She remembered
that Robert told her once that she
would do anything for him ; and she
longed to cling to and love the stately,
sorrowful woman who nursed her grief
so silently. Robert’s name was never
mentioned in the house ; but in lus
mother’s sitting-room his picture hung
covered by a silken veil. She discov
ered her before it one day in tears, and
longed to tell her then and there who
she was. Then she thought of the
great world outside, into which she
would be thrust, and where there
seemed to be no place for her and little
Dot, and was silent.
Barbie usually presided at the table,
as Mrs. Talford preferred to have her
meals sent up to her, and did it,so
gracefully and easily, that it was with
pardonable pride that Guy presented
her to his guests as “my housekeeper,
Mrs. Ford.”
Their guests were not many, how
ever, and many were the meals when
they two were alone. He seemed to
be studying her as well, and some
times drew her into conversation, when
she was at first determined to talk
only commonplace.
At the (>nd of sbi months she had to
acknowledge that she had discovered
nothing in his character that would
warrant hei opinion of him. She said
to herself, “lie is generous, gentleman
ly and fascinating” The last said
[NUMB 1 2R 11
with her flushed cheeks h.d in Dot’s
curls. Still sAw was not Satisfied.—
After that, there was anew inmate in
j ttie house. A cousin of Guy's. A
| reckless, dashing young man, tolerated
! >nly because of his relation and good
humor. He stared with astonishment
as Guy introduced him to Barbie, and
to her disgust, tried to make himself
particularly agreeable. He nsk*d Guy
all about her, but gained but little in
formation, as he ovid ally did not wish
to enlighten him. He next .tried to
quiz Barbie herself, but was repulsed
with so much dignity, that he vowed
to Guy the next day, thad site process
ed enough dignity to be mistress of the
house.
‘And so she is, in my mother’s ab
sence. We will not discuss Mis.
Ford, if you please/
This reply made the young gentle
man rather provoked, and he made up
his mind to bring his stately cousin off
of his ‘high horse’ as he called it.
So, the next day at dinner he said
during a pause in the conversation,
‘By tin* way, Guy, I saw she that was
Lillie Stone, the other day. She looks
a little happier than when I last saw
her. I used to think she would never
get over the way your brother Robert
oisappointed her. Rather mean in
Bob to go and marry that litlh* coun
try g’irl when ho was engaged to Lillie,
and the wedding d:i\ appointed.—
Never discovered it, did they, till the
guests were all assembled to witness
the ceremony? Bob was a queer chap.
I believe uncle never forgave him that
last scrape/
So coolly was this speech delivered
that Guy seemed to bo struck dumb,
and could only sit and gaze at him,
with a look that would have m ale him
piuil, if he had not been so brazen.
Bet >re lie answered hi n he turned
nd gave one look at his housekeeper,
oid met her (‘ves fixed upon him, with
a lo >lwot mingled astonishment, en
treaty, and despair.
In it he read hw much ? She felt
That. it was everything, and rose to her
I et with a taint ‘excuse me,’and tried
io leave the room ; Rut would have
fallen, she was so weak, if lie had not
come to her assistance. He led her
teross the hall into the library, and
'lacing her in an arm chair, bade her
•oinain until he returned. She dared
.1 <f d’sobev, but crouched there sob
bing under her breath, ‘Oh, how I have
misjudged him 1 What will lie sav?”
Site never knew what he said to his
■ous n. He came buck soon, and tuni
ng the key in the door, stood before
i t with folded arms, as if wadii g for
m explanation. She stretched out her
1 oids to him like some chidden child,
md said, brokenly,
“I know you despise me, I have de
ceived you so. 1 have misiu ig< and you
•i >. But ii you only knew a 7.”
He took the little hands gently in
his own
“Boor child, I do know. Do you
hink I have blamed you. You did not
■ce v • mi', 1 knew y.m from the first.
Fv ui il 1 had not found your picture
among R >berfs things, 1 should have
known his child among a thousand.—
1 know you have thought me cruel to
write the note I <1 and to him ; but you
little know how IK3 tried us. What
you heard to-dav, may g ve you some
idea. lam glad to make you c a age
your mind concerning me; but sorry
to have you know the deceit Robert
practiced. He was your husband.”
He drew himself away as lie spoke,
and looked at the tearful face before
him with a searching look.
“Boor Robert,” she sobbed.
He turned a little paler, and said,
“A ou must consider me your brother
now, and this house* your home. I feel
that when mother knows all, she will
be much happier.”
She rose to go then, and giving him
her hand, said,
‘You have been so kind to little Dot
and me ; Hut we will not stay if you
do not wish it ; perhaps wo had better
go/
The clasp on her hand tightened till
it was almost painful to bear, and he
said,
“Child, do you think I can spare
you ? Oh, Barbara, if you would only
try halt as hard to love me, as you
have to dislike me, I might h pe that,
the past would be forgotten—and you
would stay here as my wife.”
He did not try to take her in his
arms as bespoke, but rather held her
aloof, gazing at her with his great love
shining in his eyes. Not until she let
her own answi r them did lie take her
t> Ins heart and murmur,
“J/y Barbie, my httle wife.”
Then Barbie knew that the terrible
mistake of her life was blotted out
with this more perfect love ; and that
henceforth, her lines would be cast in
jpla*siiiit places.