Miss Dexie: A Romance of the ProvincesEveleth, Stanford
General
Miss Dexie: A Romance of the Provinces
Eveleth, Stanford
Fiction
When Mr. Sherwood had privately explained to the family the present
position of his new friend, together with the respectability of the family
and the kind treatment he had received from their hands, he was treated as
an honored guest, and Dexie had never been so gracious to the fastidious
Plaisted or treated him with half the courtesy as she now bestowed on the
honest, kind-hearted, though ignorant countryman.
That this kindness was appreciated was quite evident from the satisfaction
that beamed from every wrinkle on his honest face; and when he found
himself seated in the most comfortable chair in the parlor, listening to
the music that Dexie was bringing forth from the piano for his pleasure,
he doubted in his mind if even the Governor himself was as happy and
fortunate as he.
As the vessel was to sail the next day for Charlottetown, he had to leave
the pleasant rooms for closer quarters on board the vessel; but before he
said farewell he exacted a promise that, should any of them ever go to the
Island, they would visit his home on the north shore.
As the vessel was about to leave the wharf Mr. Sherwood appeared,
accompanied by a member of the police force, who gave over to the hand of
the farmer about half the sum which had been stolen from him, and the man
actually felt richer than when the whole amount had lain in his pocket. He
pressed Mr. Sherwood to accept payment for the drive on the train and for
his new suit, but Mr. Sherwood reminded him of the horse he had purchased,
saying:
"Look well after my horse, McDonald, and if you will find out where I can
get some more good animals I will be glad to pay you for the time and
trouble expended in doing so," and with a hearty hand-clasp Mr. Sherwood
stepped ashore.
In a few minutes the vessel's cable was shipped and she slowly passed down
the harbor, bearing on her deck one who had a heart full of gratitude for
kindness shown a stranger in a strange land.
CHAPTER XIII.
Mr. Sherwood's presence at home seemed to infuse new life into the
household, and the following weeks passed very pleasantly to Dexie, for her
father needed her services again, and for that reason she was excused from
much of the endless sewing that seemed necessary in making up Louie's
outfit.
Sewing machines were not so common at that time as to be considered a
necessary household article, and Mrs. Sherwood was slow to take advantage
of the new invention, preferring the use of fingers instead of feet for
articles that required a needle and thread to fashion them; consequently
Louie's wardrobe took some time to set in order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account