【英文读物】Mary Louise in the Country.docx

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1、【英文读物】Mary Louise in the CountryCHAPTER I THE ARRIVAL Is this the station, Granpa Jim? inquired a young girl, as the train began to slow up. I think so, Mary Louise, replied the handsome old gentleman addressed. It does look very promising, does it? she continued, glancing eagerly out of the window.

2、 The station? No, my dear; but the station isnt Craggs Crossing, you know; it is merely the nearest railway point to our new home. The conductor opened their drawing-room door. The next stop is Chargrove, Colonel, he said. Thank you. The porter came for their hand baggage and a moment later the long

3、 train stopped and the vestibule steps were let down. If you will refer to the time-table of the D. R. & G. Railway you will find that the station of Chargrove is marked with a character dagger (†), meaning that trains stop there only to let off passengers or, when properly signaled, to let t

4、hem on. Mary Louise, during the journey, had noted this fact with misgivings that were by no means relieved when she stepped from the sumptuous train and found before her merely a shed-like structure, open on all sides, that served as station-house. Colonel Hathaway and his granddaughter stood silen

5、tly upon the platform of this shed, their luggage beside them, and watched their trunks tumbled out of the baggage car ahead and the train start, gather speed, and go rumbling on its way. Then the girl looked around her to discover that the primitive station was really the only barren spot in the la

6、ndscape. For this was no Western prairie country, but one of the oldest settled and most prosperous sections of a great state that had been one of the original thirteen to be represented by a star on our national banner. Chargrove might not be much of a railway station, as it was only eleven miles f

7、rom a big city, but the country around it was exceedingly beautiful. Great oaks and maples stood here and there, some in groups and some in stately solitude; the land was well fenced and carefully cultivated; roadssmooth or ruttyled in every direction; flocks and herds were abundant; half hidden by

8、hills or splendid groves peeped the roofs of comfortable farmhouses that evidenced the general prosperity of the community. Uncle Eben is late, isnt he, Granpa Jim? asked the girl, as her eyes wandered over the pretty, peaceful scene. Colonel Hathaway consulted his watch. Our train was exactly on ti

9、me, he remarked, which is more than can be said for old Eben. But I think, Mary Louise, I now see an automobile coming along the road. If I am right, we have not long to wait. He proved to be right, for presently a small touring car came bumping across the tracks and halted at the end of the platfor

10、m on which they stood. It was driven by an old colored man whose hair was snow white but who sprang from his seat with the agility of a boy when Mary Louise rushed forward with words of greeting. My, Uncle Ebe, but its good to see you again! she exclaimed, taking both his dusky hands in her own and

11、shaking them cordially. How is Aunt Polly, and how is your rheumtics? Rheumtics done gone foh good, May Weeze, he said, his round face all smiles. Dis shuah am one prosterous country foh health. Nobuddy sick but de invahlids, an dey jus magines deys sick, dats all. Glad to see you, Uncle, said the C

12、olonel. A little late, eh?as usual. But perhaps you had a tire change. No, seh, Kunl, no tire change. I was jus tryin to hurry long dat lazy Joe Brennan, whos done comin foh de trunks. Niggehs is slow, Kunl, dey aint no argyment bout dat, but when a white mans a regleh loaf eh, seh, dey ain no nigge

13、h kin keep behind him. Joe Brennan is coming, then? Dats right, Kunl; hes comin. Done start befoh daylight, in de lumbeh-wagin. But when I done ketch up wi dat Joea mile n a half awayhe wont lisn to no reason. So I dodged on ahead to tell you-uns dat Joes on de way. How far is it from here to Craggs

14、 Crossing, then? inquired Mary Louise. They call it ten miles, replied her grandfather, but I imagine its nearer twelve. And this is the nearest railway station? Yes, the nearest. But usually the Crossing folks who own motor cars drive to the city to take the trains. We alighted here because in our

15、own case it was more convenient and pleasant than running into the city and out again, and it will save us time. We be home in halfn hour, mos likely, added Uncle Eben, as he placed the suit cases and satchels in the car. Colonel Hathaway and Mary Louise followed and took their seats. Is it safe to

16、leave our trunks here? asked the girl. Undoubtedly, replied her grandfather. Joe Brennan will doubtless arrive before long and, really, there is no person around to steal them. Ive an idea I shall like this part of the country, said Mary Louise musingly, as they drove away. I am confident you will,

17、my dear. Is Craggs Crossing as beautiful as this? I think it more beautiful. And how did you happen to find it, Granpa Jim? It seems as isolated as can be. A friend and I were taking a motor trip and lost our way. A farmer told us that if we went to Craggs Crossing we would find a good road to our d

18、estination. We went there, following the mans directions, and encountered beastly roads but found a perfect gem of a tiny, antiquated town which seems to have been forgotten or overlooked by map-makers, automobile guides and tourists. My friend had difficulty in getting me away from the town, I was

19、so charmed with it. Before I left I had discovered, by dint of patient inquiry, a furnished house to let, and you know, of course, that I promptly secured the place for the summer. Thats the whole story, Mary Louise. It is interesting, she remarked. As a result of your famous discovery you sent down

20、 Uncle Eben and Aunt Polly, with our car and a lot of truck you thought we might need, and nowwhen all is readyyou and I have come to take possession. Rather neatly arranged, I think, declared the Colonel, with satisfaction. Do you know anything about the history of the place, Granpa, or of the peop

21、le who live in your tiny, forgotten town? Nothing whatever. I imagine there are folks Craggs Crossing who have never been a dozen miles away from it since they were born. The village boasts a hotelthe funniest little inn you can imaginewhere we had an excellent home-cooked meal; and there is one sto

22、re and a blacksmiths shop, one church and one schoolhouse. These, with half a dozen ancient and curiously assorted residences, constitute the shy and retiring town of Craggs Crossing. Ah, think we have found Joe Brennan. Uncle Eben drew up beside a rickety wagon drawn by two sorry nags who just now

23、were engaged in cropping grass from the roadside. On the seat half reclined a young man who was industriously eating an apple. He wore a blue checked shirt open at the throat, overalls, suspenders and a straw hat that had weathered many seasons of sunshine and rain. His feet were encased in heavy bo

24、ots and his bronzed face betokened an out-of-door life. There are a million countrymen in the United States just like Joe Brennan in outward appearance. Joe did not stop munching; he merely stared as the automobile stopped beside him. Say, you Joe! shouted Uncle Eben indignatly, wha foh yo done sett

25、n heah? Restn, said Joe Brennan, taking another bite from his apple. Aint yo gwine git dem trunks home to-day? demanded the old darkey. Joe seemed to consider this question carefully before he ventured to commit himself. Then he looked at Colonel Hathaway and said: What I want t know, Boss, is wheth

26、er Im hired by the hour, er by the day? Didnt Uncle Eben tell you? Naw, he didnt. He jes said t go git the trunks an hed gimme a dollar fer the trip. Well, that seems to settle the question, doesnt it! Not quite, Boss. I ben thinkin it over, on the way, an a dollars too pesky cheap fer this trip. So

27、metimes I gits twenty-five cents a hour fer haulin things, an this looks to me like a days work. If you made good time, said Colonel Hathaway, you might do it easily in four hours. Joe shook his head. Not me, sir, he replied. I haint got the constitution fer it. An them hosses wont trot less I lick

28、em, an ef I lick em Im guilty o crulty ter animalsincludin myself. No, Boss, the jobs too cheap, so I guess Ill give it up an go home. But youre nearly at the station now, protested the Colonel. I know; but its half a mile futher an the hosses is tired. I guess Ill go home. Oh, Granpa! whispered Mar

29、y Louise, itll never do to leave our trunks lying there by the railroad tracks. The Colonel eyed Joe thoughtfully. If you were hired by the day, said he, I suppose you would do a days work? Id hev to, admitted Joe. Thats why I asked ye how about it. Jes now it looks to me like I aint hired at all. T

30、he black man said hed gimme a dollar fer the trunks, thats all. How much do you charge a day? asked the Colonel. Dollar n a quarters my reglar price, an I wont take no less, asserted Joe. Mary Louise nearly laughed outright, but the Colonel frowned and said: Joe Brennan, youve got me at your mercy.

31、Im going to hire you by the day, at a dollar and a quarter, and as your time now belongs to me I request you to go at once for those trunks. You will find them just beyond the station. The mans face brightened. He tossed away the core of his apple and jerked the reins to make the horses hold up thei

32、r heads. A bargains a bargain, Boss, he remarked cheerfully, so Ill get them air trunks to yer house if it takes till midnight. Very good, said the Colonel. Drive on, Uncle. The old servant started the motor. Dats what I calls downright robbery, Kunl, he exclaimed, highly incensed. Didnt I ask de st

33、oahkeepeh what to pay Joe Brennen foh bringin oveh dem trunks, an didnt he say a dolleh is big pay foh such-like a trip? If wes gwine live in dis town, where day don unstand city prices an de high cost o livin yit, we gotta hol em down an keep em from speckilatin with us, or else well spile em fer d

34、e time when wes gone away. Very true, Uncle. Has Joe a competitor? Uncle Eben reflected. Ef he has, Kunl, I aint seen it, he presently replied; but I guess all hes got is dat lumbeh-wagin. Mary Louise had enjoyed the controversy immensely and was relieved by the promise of the trunks by midnight. Fo

35、r the first time in her life the young orphaned girl was to play housekeeper for her grandfather and surely one of her duties was to see that the baggage was safely deposited in their new home. This unknown home in an unknown town had an intense fascination for her just now. Her grandfather had been

36、 rather reticent in his description of the house he had rented at Craggs Crossing, merely asserting it was a pretty place and ought to make them a comfortable home for the summer. Nor had the girl questioned him very closely, for she loved to discover things and be surprisedwhether pleasurably or no

37、t did not greatly interfere with the thrill. The motor took them speedily along a winding way to Craggs Crossing, a toy town that caused Mary Louise to draw a long breath of delight at first sight. The crossing of two country roads had probably resulted, at some far-back period, in farmers building

38、their residences on the four corners, so as to be neighborly. Farm hands or others built little dwellings adjoiningnot many of them, thoughand some unambitious or misdirected merchant erected a big frame store and sold groceries, dry goods and other necessities of life not only to the community at t

39、he Crossing but to neighboring farmers. Then someone started the little hotel, mainly to feed the farmers who came to the store to trade or the drummers who visited it to sell goods. A church and a schoolhouse naturally followed, in course of time, and then, as if its destiny were fulfilled, the sle

40、epy little townten miles from the nearest railwaygradually settled into the comatose state in which Colonel Hathaway and his granddaughter now found it. CHAPTER II THE KENTON PLACE The tiny town, however, was not all that belonged to the Craggs Crossing settlement. Barely a quarter of a mile away fr

41、om the village a stream with beautifully wooded banks ran diagonally through the countryside. It was called a river by the natives, but it was more of a creek; halfway between a small rivulet and a brook, perhaps. But its banks afforded desirable places for summer residences, several of which had be

42、en built by well-to-do families, either retired farmers or city people who wished for a cool and quiet place in which to pass the summer months. These residences, all having ample grounds and facing the creek on either side, were sufficiently scattered to be secluded, and it was to one of the most i

43、mposing of these that Uncle Eben guided the automobile. He crossed the creek on a primitive but substantial bridge, turned to the right, and the first driveway led to the house that was to be Mary Louises temporary home. This is lovely! exclaimed the girl, as they rolled up a winding drive edged by

44、trees and shrubbery, and finally drew up before the entrance of a low and rambling but quite modern house. There was Aunt Polly, her round black face all smiles, standing on the veranda to greet them, and Mary Louise sprang from the car first to hug the old servantUncle Ebens spouseand then to run i

45、n to investigate the establishment, which seemed much finer than she had dared to imagine it. The main building was of two stories, but the wings, several of which jutted out in various directions, were one story in height, somewhat on the bungalow plan. There was a good-sized stable in connectionno

46、w used as a garageand down among the oaks toward the river an open pavilion had been built. All the open spaces were filled with flowers and ferns, in beds and borders, and graveled paths led here and there in a very enticing way. But the house was now the chief fascination and the other details Mar

47、y Louise gleaned by sundry glances from open windows as she rambled from room to room. At luncheon, which Aunt Polly served as soon as her young mistress could be coaxed from her tour of inspection, the girl said: Granpa Jim, who owns this place? A Mrs. Joselyn, he replied. A young woman? I believe so. It was built by her mother, a Mrs. Kenton, some fifteen years ago, and is still called the Kenton Place. Mrs. Kenton died and her daughter, who married a city man named Joselyn, has used it as a summer home until this year. I